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

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a general term for a range of conditions characterized by having excess fat deposits in your liver. As the name implies, this liver condition occurs in people who drink little to no alcohol. However, many other lifestyle factors contribute to its development. NAFLD is surprisingly common: by some estimates, 17-30% of adults have NAFLD.

NAFLD can be sneaky. Initially, you might not experience any symptoms. By the time it’s diagnosed, your liver may start to develop some inflammation, and you may be at risk to develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which, in turn, can lead to cirrhosis. That’s a big reason why it’s crucial to address NAFLD early.

What Are The Symptoms Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

The early signs of NAFLD can be subtle, and can often be ascribed to other things.

Common early symptoms include:

Pain in the upper right abdomen
Unexplained fatigue
Muscle weakness
Unintentional weight loss

NAFLD is typically diagnosed through blood tests that assess liver function, or through an ultrasound or liver biopsy.

What Causes Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

Unlike alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is directly tied to alcohol consumption, multiple factors can lead to NAFLD, and sometimes a direct cause can’t be determined. Some risk factors include:

Excess weight: Research has found that obesity is one of the most common contributors to the development of NAFLD.
Age: Your risk for NAFLD rises as you age. Alarmingly, childhood incidences of NAFLD have risen as childhood obesity becomes more common.
Diabetes: The relationship between NAFLD and diabetes is a two-way street: having NAFLD raises your risk of diabetes complications, and diabetes increases the risk of NAFLD. However, the good news is that the lifestyle changes that help treat each condition will help both.
Insulin resistance: The way your body metabolizes insulin is closely linked to your risk of NAFLD. In fact, up to 80% of people who are obese and diabetic have NAFLD.
Cholesterol: Cholesterol is metabolized by your liver, and high cholesterol levels can lead to fatty deposits in the liver.
Thyroid problems: One study found that up to 36% of study participants with hypothyroidism also had NAFLD.
Sleep apnea: Studies have found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to have NAFLD, even when obesity – a risk factor for both – is accounted for.
Polycystic ovary disease (PCOS): Many women with PCOS also have NAFLD. Again, excess weight is a factor for both conditions, and research suggests the high levels of androgen that characterize PCOS can also contribute to NAFLD.

Holistic Treatment Options For NAFLD

To date, there is no conventional medication that effectively treats NAFLD. However, addressing the root causes not only heals your liver but provides other health benefits as well.

The following tips can help prevent NAFLD and minimize any further damage to your liver.

1 – Lose weight

As you can see from the list of possible causes, excess weight greatly increases your risk of developing NAFLD. Of course, losing extra pounds is always easier said than done. It’s important to develop a realistic, healthy approach to losing weight that you can sustain for the long run.

2 – Supplement smartly

Some initial research suggests that vitamin E helps protect the liver. Other supplements with promising results in studies include curcumin, vitamin D, omega-3, and berberine. As always, work with your healthcare practitioner to determine the right approach for you.

3 – Eat a balanced diet

Focus on whole foods, including whole grains, lean protein, and fresh produce. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fish, vegetables, healthy fats, nuts, and olive oil over heavily processed foods, has been proven to help with NAFLD. As well, try to eliminate sugar as much as possible. Reducing sugar is one of the most important steps to avoid NAFLD.

4 – Maintain a healthy microbiome

Gut bacteria play a powerful role in how your liver metabolizes fat. Maintain a healthy biome in your gut by eating high-fiber foods and fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir, and supplementing with probiotics as needed.

5 – Move!

In addition to helping with weight maintenance, exercise improves insulin resistance and fatty acid metabolism in your liver. A combination of steady-state cardio, weight training, and high-intensity intervals is ideal, but it’s important to develop a sustainable program that works for you.

Take steps now to address your liver health! If you’re experiencing symptoms of NAFLD, or want to be proactive in keeping your liver in shape, we can work together to implement a plan.

Sources

Kneeman JM, Misdraji J, Corey KE. Secondary causes of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2012 May;5(3):199-207. doi: 10.1177/1756283X11430859. PMID: 22570680; PMCID: PMC3342568.

Chung GE, Kim D, Kim W, Yim JY, Park MJ, Kim YJ, Yoon JH, Lee HS. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease across the spectrum of hypothyroidism. J Hepatol. 2012 Jul;57(1):150-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2012.02.027. Epub 2012 Mar 14. PMID: 22425701.

Chung GE, Kim D, Kim W et al. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease across the spectrum of hypothyroidism. J Hepatol [published online ahead of print March 13, 2012]. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22425701

Mesarwi OA, Loomba R, Malhotra A. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypoxia, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Apr 1;199(7):830-841. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201806-1109TR. PMID: 30422676; PMCID: PMC6835083.

Hazlehurst JM, Woods C, Marjot T, Cobbold JF, Tomlinson JW. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. Metabolism. 2016 Aug;65(8):1096-108. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2016.01.001. Epub 2016 Jan 11. PMID: 26856933; PMCID: PMC4943559.

Kitade H, Chen G, Ni Y, Ota T. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Insulin Resistance: New Insights and Potential New Treatments. Nutrients. 2017 Apr 14;9(4):387. doi: 10.3390/nu9040387. PMID: 28420094; PMCID: PMC5409726.

Vassilatou E. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jul 14;20(26):8351-63. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i26.8351. PMID: 25024594; PMCID: PMC4093689.

Usman M, Bakhtawar N. Vitamin E as an Adjuvant Treatment for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cureus. 2020 Jul 6;12(7):e9018. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9018. PMID: 32775098; PMCID: PMC7405968.

Zelber-Sagi S, Salomone F, Mlynarsky L. The Mediterranean dietary pattern as the diet of choice for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Evidence and plausible mechanisms. Liver Int. 2017 Jul;37(7):936-949. doi: 10.1111/liv.13435. Epub 2017 Jun 1. PMID: 28371239

Campo L, Eiseler S, Apfel T, Pyrsopoulos N. Fatty Liver Disease and Gut Microbiota: A Comprehensive Update. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2019 Mar 28;7(1):56-60. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2018.00008. Epub 2018 Dec 28. PMID: 30944821; PMCID: PMC6441642.

Jensen T, Abdelmalek MF, Sullivan S, Nadeau KJ, Green M, Roncal C, Nakagawa T, Kuwabara M, Sato Y, Kang DH, Tolan DR, Sanchez-Lozada LG, Rosen HR, Lanaspa MA, Diehl AM, Johnson RJ. Fructose and sugar: A major mediator of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol. 2018 May;68(5):1063-1075. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.01.019. Epub 2018 Feb 2. PMID: 29408694; PMCID:

van der Windt DJ, Sud V, Zhang H, Tsung A, Huang H. The Effects of Physical Exercise on Fatty Liver Disease. Gene Expr. 2018 May 18;18(2):89-101. doi: 10.3727/105221617X15124844266408. Epub 2017 Dec 6. PMID: 29212576; PMCID: PMC5954622.

The Facts About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease