Today's post from liveinthenow.com (see link below) is somewhat of a counter argument to yesterday's post concerning whether statins are harmful or not for people living with, or susceptible to, neuropathy. In this article, the author is convinced that neuropathy is just one of many potential dangers associated with statins. It has to be said that across the internet generally, there are more articles warning of the dangers of nerve damage from statins, than suggesting that those dangers are exaggerated but that may be because new evidence seems to be emerging as more research is done. If you have cholesterol problems and signs of neuropathy, or even fall into neuropathy risk groups, it may be wisest to a) do as much of your own research as possible and b) consult your doctor(s) carefully before joining the statins band-wagon. Cholesterol can be improved by other means, nerve damage can not!
Posted by Sayer Ji
Have the nerve-damaging properties of statin drugs now been confirmed? There are over 300 adverse health effects associated with the use of this chemical class of cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins, with myotoxicity (muscle-damaging) and neurotoxicity (nerve-damaging) top on the list. When will the FDA step in and warn the public, as proof of the problem in the biomedical literature reaches an alarming level of clarity?
The neurotoxicity of statin drugs are back in the news. Following on the heels of the FDA decision earlier this year to require statin drugs manufacturers to add “memory loss” as a side effect of this chemical class, a new study in published in the Journal of Diabetes reveals a clear association between statin use and peripheral neuropathy in a US population 40 years of age and older.
The study found “The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was significantly higher among those who used statins compared to those who did not (23.5% vs. 13.5%; p < 0.01),” which is a 75% increase in relative risk.
Case reports of statin-induced peripheral neuropathy have existed in the medical literature for over 15 years. Now, larger human studies are confirming that statin drugs do damage to the peripheral nerves. Moreover, much of the damage is occurring below the threshold of clinical surveillance, silently causing harm in unsuspecting patients.
For example, in 2011, the results of a 36-month prospective clinical and neurophysiological follow-up of patients treated with statins over 3 years was published in the journal Neuro Endocrinology Letters, revealed in forty-two patients that despite the fact that they did not report subjective symptoms typical for peripheral neuropathy, damage was occurring. They concluded: “The study confirmed that long-term treatment with statins caused a clinically silent but still definite damage to peripheral nerves when the treatment lasts longer than 2 years.” Click the hyperlink to view all 9 studies on statin-induced peripheral neuropathy on Greenmedinfo.com. Or, view an even more sizeable dataset (54 studies) on statin-associated neurotoxicity.
While this research is adding to a growing awareness of the nerve-damaging properties of statins, this side effect is just the tip of a massive iceberg of under reported deleterious effects. For example, our project has identified 314 possible adverse effects of statins thus far. Conversely, we have identified a wide range of health benefits of cholesterol, running diametrically opposed to the over-simplification inherent in the cholesterol hypothesis (some say “cholesterol myth“) of heart disease causation.
http://www.liveinthenow.com/article/statin-drugs-cause-even-more-nerve-damage-than-we-thought
Today's light-hearted post from totalfootcare.ca (see link below) should carry a government health warning because it's pretty much a wake-up call for people living with neuropathy in their feet. Because of that dratted numbness that fools you into thinking you know what's going on under your feet (because you can still feel the burning and tingling that goes on in other layers), you can so easily miss sharp objects that lurk inside your shoes. Read this article: you'll know why this is important!!
Written by: HealthyFeet
Web Feet is a quarterly blog posted by Registered Chiropodist David Murphy. Dave has ten years’ experience in his field and works at Kawartha Total Foot Care Centre’s main clinic in Bobcaygeon, Ontario as well as the practice’s sites at Lakefield Physiotherapy & Foot Health Clinic and the Curve Lake First Nation Health Centre.
There’s a moment of wonder for every chiropodist before reaching into a patient’s shoes at what discoveries might be revealed. From pennies to pins and everything in between, I’ve seen my share of “shoe treasures” over the years. The sheer oddness of some of them may bring a smile to one’s face, but for people with diabetes and diminished sensation caused by peripheral neuropathy, the result can be anything but amusing – skin ulcers, serious infections, even amputations.
Here are a few examples of some shoe finds this year, and they make clear just how important it is for people with reduced sensation to check the insides of their footwear regularly.
1. Tacky Tricks
Shortly into back-to-school season, I removed the insole of one particular teacher’s shoes to reveal a bevy of thumb tacks! Unbeknownst to her, it seems she was the subject of some classroom pranksters. This “joke” could have become decidedly not funny very quickly had the tacks remained undiscovered.
2. Ho, Ho, Hold on a Minute!
The holidays are such a wonderful time full of tradition. Last season, a patient visited me shortly after the family’s annual Christmas tree cutting adventure. Just as he finished telling me that his work boots are the most comfortable boots he has ever owned, I reached in and pulled out a branch with an entire clump of pine needles that would rival any of Charlie Brown’s Christmas trees. Needless to say we went on to further sensation testing.
3. One Piña Colada Please… Hold the Cocktail Umbrella
A patient returned last winter from some fun in the sun with what I thought was a sliver embedded in his sole, perhaps picked up on a long walk on the beach. On closer examination of his deck shoes, I realized that I was right about the sliver but wrong about its origin. It was from an umbrella – a cocktail umbrella to be precise. Perhaps the next time the customs agent asks you to remove your footwear on return from your favorite all-inclusive winter destination you may also want to use this opportunity to check the insides of your shoes for unwanted stowaways!
4. Dog Gone It!
Attention pet owners… knick, knack, paddy whack give a dog a bone? This four legged member of the family used its owner’s shoe as a cozy hiding spot for a favourite bone. Unfortunately for the pet owner who was unaware of what was hiding in his Hush Puppies, the shards of fragmented bone had caused a severe infection by the time I discovered them.
5. Automatic Toe-nition
My last recollection is one that was quite remarkable and humorous to everyone involved… initially. This particular patient could not understand why on earth he could still start his car (push button ignition) when his keys had been missing for days, even leaving him to wonder perhaps about artificial intelligence or some sort of electromagnetic disturbance. He had even involved his mechanic who was also very puzzled. It was only when his wife noticed the bleeding in his socks that she checked his shoes and the mystery was solved. There they were – his full set of keys pushed into the end of his shoe. The patient was completely unaware, felt nothing, not even the bottle opener also attached to his key collection. The sad ending to this story is that complications developed and progressed to the point that his great toe required amputation.
These examples illustrate the severity and potentially life-changing impact of neuropathy. It’s something we see and treat regularly at Kawartha Total Foot Care Centre.
Know the Warning Signs and Your Risks for Neuropathy
Neuropathy can range from a mild tingling or a “pins and needles sensation,” to sharp stabbing pain, and complete numbness. This occurs when the nerves in the feet that supply the brain with sensory information are damaged. Neuropathy can result from a variety of factors such as chemical toxicity, alcoholism, and chemotherapy. However, the most common cause by far of neuropathy and neuropathic changes in feet is diabetes.
In diabetics, the neuropathic changes are caused by the fluctuating blood sugar levels. The inconsistent blood sugar levels, over time, erode the insulating layers that cover the nerves, leading to altered or complete loss of sensation.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
Don’t let a nail in your shoe be the wake-up call to give your neuropathy proper consideration.
1. If you have been previously diagnosed with neuropathy, are diabetic, or have a family history of diabetes, it’s critical to have your feet examined and cared for regularly by a Registered Chiropodist. This assessment should include a full clinical vascular and neurological exam, dermatological exam, biomechanical evaluation, and a footwear assessment, along with ongoing foot medical care.
2. If you are a diabetic, controlling your blood sugar is crucial, having a healthy balanced diet and active lifestyle is a necessity, and getting enough restful sleep is essential in preventing or delaying neuropathic changes.
3. Self Examinations – use your hand and a mirror to check your feet as well as the inside of your footwear daily. This will become habitual and will likely prevent any close calls from becoming a more serious matter later on.
4. For those individuals who have diabetes and/or neuropathy and find their symptoms progressing or find they are having a big impact on daily life, then certain medications may provide benefit. Be sure to measure your blood sugar regularly – you can’t manage what you don’t measure! Bring these results to your family doctors and/or endocrinologist regularly and work with them to manage your condition.
5. At Kawartha Total Foot Care Centre, we have had success with weekly infrared light therapy sessions. This form of treatment helps treat the symptoms of neuropathy and although results are very specific to the individual, it may be the difference between keeping up with your normal daily activities or not.
My earlier stories might be a dose of lighthearted humour, but I know first-hand that neuropathy is no laughing matter. Remember that while we may not be able to reverse nerve damage, chiropodists can certainly help patients to better manage symptoms, prevent impacts from neuropathic foot changes, and improve quality of life.
http://www.totalfootcare.ca/the-funniest-things-ive-found-in-patients-shoes-that-demonstrate-why-neuropathy-is-no-laughing-matter-2/
