Helping Your Body Heal: The Vizuri Way

Part 01 / Nerve Health

Burning, Tingling, or Numb Feet? What Your Nerves May Be Telling You

Maybe your toes feel as though they have fallen asleep, even when you have been moving around. Perhaps your feet burn when you settle into bed, or you find yourself watching the ground more carefully because you do not feel quite as steady as you used to.

These changes can be easy to explain away. A long day. Uncomfortable shoes. Getting older.

At Vizuri Health Center, we encourage you to pay attention when something feels different. Persistent numbness, tingling, burning, or changes in balance deserve a closer look. Understanding what is happening is the first step toward making informed decisions about your care.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Your peripheral nerves connect your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. Some help you feel touch, temperature, and pressure. Others help your muscles move. When peripheral nerves become damaged or stop working properly, the resulting condition is called peripheral neuropathy.¹

That term describes a problem with nerve function; it does not, by itself, tell us why the problem developed. This distinction matters. Two people can both describe burning feet and need very different care.

We believe a helpful conversation begins with more than naming the symptom. We also need to consider its pattern, its effect on your daily life, and the possible conditions behind it.

Neuropathy does not always feel like pain

Burning and electrical sensations often get people's attention. Reduced sensation can be quieter. You may feel as though you are walking on padding, notice that your socks seem bunched up when they are not, or struggle to tell exactly where your feet are positioned.

Symptoms can include tingling, numbness, unusual sensitivity to light touch, weakness, and difficulty with balance. The combination depends on which nerves are affected.¹ Something that feels strange rather than painful can still be worth evaluating.

Think about how these changes influence your choices. Are you avoiding uneven trails? Holding the railing more tightly? Cutting a shopping trip short? Those details help communicate the real impact of your symptoms, even when a pain score does not capture it.

Why finding the cause matters

Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral nerve damage, but neuropathy also occurs in people who do not have diabetes. Possible contributors include certain vitamin deficiencies, medication effects, heavy alcohol use, autoimmune conditions, kidney disease, and injuries or pressure affecting nerves. Sometimes, a cause remains unknown despite investigation.²

This is why we do not recommend choosing a treatment based on a symptom checklist alone. A person with a nutritional deficiency needs that deficiency addressed. Someone with a medication-related problem needs a discussion with the prescribing clinician. Other findings may call for specialist evaluation.

At Vizuri, our interest in whole-person health means taking the broader story seriously. We want to understand what may be contributing and where our care can fit within the support you need.

Could the problem be coming from somewhere else?

Tingling does not automatically mean a widespread neuropathy. A compressed nerve near the spine can also cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness. For example, cervical radiculopathy involves a nerve root in the neck and may produce symptoms into an arm or hand.³

The location and distribution of symptoms provide clues, but they do not establish a diagnosis on their own. Whether symptoms affect one side or both, follow a particular path, or change with position can help guide the examination.

Bring a simple description to your visit: where symptoms begin, when they occur, how long they last, and what makes them better or worse. You do not need perfect medical language. Your observations are useful.

What an evaluation can help clarify

An assessment typically includes a health history and examination. Depending on the findings, additional testing or referral may be appropriate. Blood tests, nerve conduction studies, and other investigations answer different questions; no single test explains every case.^{1, 2}

We also encourage you to bring a medication and supplement list, along with any previous test results. Tell us about changes in walking, sleep, work, and the activities you enjoy. Together, these pieces help build a clearer picture.

A meaningful next step should leave you understanding what is known, what still needs clarification, and what options make sense for you.

When to act sooner

Sudden one-sided numbness or weakness, especially with facial drooping or trouble speaking, calls for dialing 911 immediately.⁵ Rapidly worsening weakness also needs urgent medical attention. If you have reduced feeling in your feet, a new wound or signs of infection should be assessed promptly.^{2, 4}

For ongoing symptoms, you do not need to wait until they become severe to start the conversation.

Start with understanding

At Vizuri Health Center in Williston, we offer a neuropathy program and believe education is an essential part of care. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions and clear about your next steps.

If burning, tingling, or numbness is changing how you live, contact our team to schedule an evaluation. We can help you explore whether our neuropathy services are appropriate or whether another type of evaluation should come first.

In the next article, we will look at the question many people ask next: Can damaged nerves heal, and what should a thoughtful treatment plan include?

Sources & further reading

National Library of Medicine. Peripheral Nerve Disorders. Read source
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Peripheral Neuropathy. Read source
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). Read source
NIDDK. Diabetes & Foot Problems. Read source
CDC. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke. Read source

What is Candida you might ask?

Candida albicans is a yeast, a type of fungus which grows within the mouth, intestines, and skin. In small amounts, this fungus is harmless to our body and leads to no symptoms.

The problems arise, however, when there is an overgrowth of Candida, which leads to infections. This is typically referred to as Candidiasis, which can be caused by a variety of factors:

Antibiotics: Sometimes antibiotics are necessary to fight an infection or kill unwanted bacteria in the body. However, antibiotics can also kill good bacteria, such as those responsible for controlling Candida levels. This causes Candida to grow out of control and can lead to serious symptoms.
Diet: The diet you consume has a significant impact on regulating levels of both good and bad bacteria in your gut. Sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol are all substances that Candida feeds on, so overconsumption promotes Candida overgrowth.
Immune Weakness: People who have weakened immune systems are more likely to experience Candida overgrowth. At-risk populations include the elderly, infants, and those with HIV/AIDS or other autoimmune disorders.
Diabetes: Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes increases your chances of experiencing Candida overgrowth.
Stress: A healthy immune system can regulate your body’s good and bad organisms. Sometimes, however, stress can lead to a shift in the balance between Candida and healthy bacteria. When we are stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off infections is weakened.

What Are The Symptoms Of Candida Overgrowth?

How can you tell if you have Candida overgrowth in your body? Here are the tell-tale signs to look out for:

Brain fog and Fatigue: This is one of the most common symptoms associated with Candida overgrowth and is likely due to nutritional deficiencies that accompany the condition. It also happens that having a weakened immune system leads to both fatigue and Candida, so the effects can be multiplied.
Oral Thrush: When there is too much Candida in your mouth, white, bumpy patches will appear on the tongue, inner cheeks, or throat. This is a tell-tale visual sign of Candida, and is most common amongst the elderly, newborns, and those with weak immune systems.
Digestive Issues: The balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut plays a large role in digestive health. As mentioned, small amounts of Candida can be present in the body and cause no problems. However, Candida overgrowth may cause various unpleasant gut-related symptoms, such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Recent studies have connected Candida overgrowth with several gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Yeast Infections and Recurring UTIs: Candida naturally exists in the vaginal tract, but an overgrowth can lead to vaginal Candidiasis, also called a yeast infection. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, painful intercourse, and a thick, white discharge from the vagina. Vaginal yeast infections are quite common, occurring in 75% percent of women at least once. Candida overgrowth can also cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). This tends to occur amongst the elderly and immunocompromised populations. UTIs can cause burning while peeing, a more frequent need to urinate, dark and cloudy urine, and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Joint pain: When a Candida infection is left untreated for too long, the fungus can enter the bloodstream. This then affects the joints and can lead to arthritis. Candida can also affect the bones, causing infections or osteomyelitis. Bone and joint infections caused by candida are uncommon but can be difficult to eliminate when they do occur.
Hormonal imbalance: Scientists have noticed a correlation between increased estrogen levels and the overgrowth of Candida. The by-products of Candida, which can spread beyond the digestive tract, mimic estrogen, which can cause serious hormonal imbalance.

Natural Treatments For Candida Overgrowth

Treating Candida involves a thorough health assessment from your healthcare practitioner, followed by a strict elimination diet and Candida protocol as next steps.

Since food plays a crucial role in regulating healthy levels of bacteria in the gut, one of the main ways Candida overgrowth is treated is through diet. This means reducing consumption of sugars and carbs which Candida thrives on. High-lactose dairy products can also encourage Candida to grow and should be avoided.

Along with eliminating foods that can trigger Candida, focus on foods that have been proven to fight it and promote the growth of good bacteria. Try incorporating the following into your diet:

Garlic. Garlic has an antifungal property called allicin, which is known to fight against candida yeast.
Coconut oil. Due to its high lauric acid content, coconut oil can also reduce Candida.
Pomegranate. More research needs to be done, but initial research has found that the plant compounds found in pomegranate are helpful in reducing Candida.
Curcumin. Test tube studies show that curcumin has the ability to reduce the growth of Candida yeast and may even kill it.
Probiotics. Probiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and protect against candida. Lactobacillus is the recommended probiotic for fighting Candida overgrowth. Be sure to speak with a healthcare practitioner to guide you in the right supplements to choose for your condition.

Don’t let a Candida overgrowth run you down! It’s important to get the proper assessments in order to get to the root cause and a tailored plan to cleanse your body of it for good – we/I can help!

Sources

Irving G, Miller D, Robinson A, Reynolds S, Copas AJ. Psychological factors associated with recurrent vaginal candidiasis: a preliminary study. Sex Transm Infect. 1998 Oct;74(5):334-8. doi: 10.1136/sti.74.5.334. PMID: 10195028; PMCID: PMC1758140.

Kumamoto CA. Inflammation and gastrointestinal Candida colonization. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2011 Aug;14(4):386-91. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.015. Epub 2011 Jul 28. PMID: 21802979; PMCID: PMC3163673.

InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview. 2019 Jun 19. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543220/

Cheng G, Yeater KM, Hoyer LL. Cellular and molecular biology of Candida albicans estrogen response. Eukaryot Cell. 2006 Jan;5(1):180-91. doi: 10.1128/EC.5.1.180-191.2006. PMID: 16400181; PMCID: PMC1360257.

Khodavandi A, Alizadeh F, Harmal NS, Sidik SM, Othman F, Sekawi Z, Jahromi MA, Ng KP, Chong PP. Comparison between efficacy of allicin and fluconazole against Candida albicans in vitro and in a systemic candidiasis mouse model. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2011 Feb;315(2):87-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.02170.x. Epub 2011 Jan 10. PMID: 21204918.

Shino B, Peedikayil FC, Jaiprakash SR, Ahmed Bijapur G, Kottayi S, Jose D. Comparison of Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorhexidine, Coconut Oil, Probiotics, and Ketoconazole on Candida albicans Isolated in Children with Early Childhood Caries: An In Vitro Study. Scientifica (Cairo). 2016;2016:7061587. doi: 10.1155/2016/7061587. Epub 2016 Mar 14. PMID: 27051559; PMCID: PMC4808662.

Pai MB, Prashant GM, Murlikrishna KS, Shivakumar KM, Chandu GN. Antifungal efficacy of Punica granatum, Acacia nilotica, Cuminum cyminum and Foeniculum vulgare on Candida albicans: an in vitro study. Indian J Dent Res. 2010 Jul-Sep;21(3):334-6. doi: 10.4103/0970-9290.70792. PMID: 20930339

Kumar A, Dhamgaye S, Maurya IK, Singh A, Sharma M, Prasad R. Curcumin targets cell wall integrity via calcineurin-mediated signaling in Candida albicans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2014;58(1):167-75. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01385-13. Epub 2013 Oct 21. PMID: 24145527; PMCID: PMC3910804.

Mailänder-Sánchez D, Wagener J, Schaller M. Potential role of probiotic bacteria in the treatment and prevention of localised candidosis. Mycoses. 2012 Jan;55(1):17-26. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2010.01967.x. Epub 2011 Jun 14. PMID: 21672043.

How To Treat Candida Overgrowth Naturally