My toes are always numb. What's going on?

Question

I'm and old man in my 60s. This condition has been going on for about 18-24 months and is getting more and more noticeable to me. What is going on?

Answer 1

Should have the doctor to check you out for neuropathy. Here is some information about the causes of it as there are many.

Peripheral neuropathy is a general term referring to disorders of peripheral nerves. The peripheral nervous system is made up of the nerves that branch out of the spinal cord to all parts of the body.

Peripheral nerve cells have three main parts: cell body, axons, and dendrites. Any part of the nerve can be affected, but damage to axons is most common. The axon transmits signals from nerve cell to nerve cell. Most axons are surrounded by a substance called myelin, which facilitates signal transmission.

Peripheral neuropathy can be associated with poor nutrition, a number of diseases, and pressure or trauma. Many people suffer from the disorder without ever identifying the cause.

Incidence and Prevalence
Peripheral neuropathy affects at least 20 million people in the United States. Nearly 60% of all people with diabetes suffer from peripheral neuropathy.

Types
Peripheral neuropathy can be broadly categorized by the type of nerve that has been damaged. The peripheral nervous system is made up of three types of nerves:

motor nerves (responsible for voluntary movement)
sensory nerves (responsible for sensing temperature, pain, touch, and limb positioning)
autonomic nerves (responsible for involuntary functions such as breathing, blood pressure, sexual function, digestion)
Peripheral neuropathy also can be classified by where it occurs in the body. Nerve damage that occurs in one area of the body is called mononeuropathy, in many areas, polyneuropathy. When the disorder occurs in the same places on both sides of the body, the condition is called symmetric neuropathy.

It also can be categorized by cause, such as diabetic neuropathy and nutritional neuropathy. When a cause cannot be identified, the condition is called idiopathic neuropathy.

Risk Factors and Causes

Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by disease; nerve compression, entrapment, or laceration; exposure to toxins; or inflammation. In many cases, especially in people over the age of 60, no cause can be determined.

Conditions associated with peripheral nerve damage include the following:

Alcoholism
Amyloidosis (metabolic disorder)
Autoimmune disorders (e.g., Guillain-Barre syndrome)
Bell's palsy
Cancer
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Chronic kidney failure
Connective tissue disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sarcoidosis)
Diabetes mellitus
Infectious disease (e.g., Lyme disease, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, leprosy)
Liver failure
Medications
Radiculopathy
Vitamin deficiencies (e.g., pernicious anemia)
Radiculopathy is the term for neuropathy that affects nerve roots. The nerve roots are extensions of spinal nerves. They exit the spinal canal through a space between vertebrae, called the neural foramen. Degeneration of vertebral bone, herniation of the pulpy disc between vertebrae, narrowing of the spinal column (spinal stenosis), or trauma can compress or cut nerve roots and cause neuropathy.

Answer 2

You are having circulation problems and due to improper circulation of blood to the lower limbs your toes are always numb. This could happen due to many reasons but do the following yogic exercise which is easy and if solves your problem then you need not go to a doctor:

Sit crossed legged and close your mouth and take a quick inhaling and exhaling 20 times and then the 21st time take a deep breath and hold it as long as possible and then release it slowly through the nose. Take a few minutes rest breathing normally and start the exercise once again . Do this three or for times in one sitting. You can have any number of sittings a day as time permits you and this .is known as bhastrika pranayanam ( breathing exercise, very best and must as this controls BP, improves circulation of blood whole through the body, prevent lung diseases, increases the brain power, will never get cough or cold and controls your anger and other violent emotions, brings in crimson complextion to the face etc,etc)

Answer 3

Well, numbness is often associated with the blood circulation. It could happen that your toes are no getting enough blood supply. Due to age this condition can worsen.
Some of the solution are as follows:
1.Regular walk and mild cardio will help.
2.Try to exercise your feet and toe muscles.
3.Massage of feet and sometimes body massage will be greatly beneficial to relax your nerves and muscles reducing any blockage in them. It will increase the blood circulation.
4. See chiropractor: It often happens that some of our joints and muscles are in displaced due to various activities and body bosture. Chiropractor checks your back and spine and alignes the joints to normal position thus reducing pressure on nerves.
5. You must also see doctor because in case of diebetes it can happen as well.

Answer 4

It sounds like you're having a circulation problem. You should see a doctor. Do you have diabetes? Some diabetics have foot problems like this.

Answer 5

Probably poor circulation due to age and possible diabetes. When was the last time you saw a doctor? You need to see one now.

Answer 6

Could be the beginning of gout, peripheral neuropathy, or something else. best to mention this to your physician during your next check up. Hope it's quite soon!

Answer 7

Poor circulation, or diabetes you should see a Dr

Answer 8

You Dead