Feet think pink

 

During the month of October pink is everywhere. People “go pink” with pink shirts, pink nails, and pink hair strands for breast cancer awareness. Even the Chicago skyline went pink with lights, banners and flags. In the US, Breast Cancer affects 1 in 8 women. Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer in the US. You can join the fight against breast cancer. Fortunately with early screenings including breast self exams, clinical breast exams by a health care
provider, and mammograms women can detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable. Thermal Imaging, which is available in Highlands County, detects the physiological changes in the breast in the form of infrared (heat patterns). Leslie Copeland, Clinical Thermographer, explains that “heat patterns are very valuable as they provide information that aides in early detection of potential inflammation and disease processes.”

Chemotherapy (chemo) refers to the drugs which kill breast cancer cells. They weaken and destroy the cancer cells at the original cancer area and those cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. As the chemo medications travel through the body, they can damage the nerves. This is called chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.

Each cancer survivor may experience different neuropathy symptoms varying from pain, numbness, weakness, balance issues, loss of sensations and sensitivity to temperature. Usually the neuropathy starts in the toes, over time moving up the feet, ankles and legs. Similar symptoms can start in the fingers extending to the hands and arms.

Although the discomfort may worsen over time, persisting even after chemo is finished, for many cancer patients the symptoms may eventually clear up. If you think you might have neuropathy in your feet, see a foot doctor. After your podiatrist diagnoses the neuropathy, treatment will be initiated to alleviate your symptoms. Treatment may include oral or topical prescription medication, medical food supplements, and physical therapy.

Modern technology called Diowave Laser Therapy provides penetrating laser light energy deep into the body reaching the damaged nerve cells and surrounding tissues. If you have chemotherapy induced neuropathy there is help available.
The Gentle Foot Care Center offers this state of the art technology.

Remember to think pink not only in October but every month.

Dr. Olga Garcia Luepschen and the Gentle Foot Foot Care Center are located on U.S. 27. If you have any questions about neuropathy foot pain call (863)-314-9255 or go to www.gentlefootcarecenter.com