Burning Feet syndrome

                             Burning Feet Syndrome

                                                  (Grierson - Gopalan Syndrome)
                                                             

                                                               

Introduction

Burning feet syndrome, also known as Grierson-Gopalan syndrome, is a medical condition that causes severe burning and aching of the feet, hyperesthesia, and vasomotor changes of the feet that lead to excessive sweating. It can even affect the eyes, causing scotoma and amblyopia.

Causes

A burning sensation in your feet may be caused by nerve damage in the legs, also called neuropathy. Although many medical conditions can cause burning feet, diabetes is the most common. Most burning feet treatments focus on preventing further nerve damage and reducing pain.

It may occur due to various illnesses, back injuries or slow breakdown (degenerative changes) of the spine, surgery, use of chemotherapy drugs or other medications, or exposure to toxins. Peripheral neuropathy. This is one of the most common causes of burning feet syndrome.

Symptoms

• Sensations of heat or burning, often worsening at night
• Numbness in the feet or legs
• Sharp or stabbing pain
• Feeling of heaviness in the feet
• Dull ache in the feet
• Skin redness or excess warmth
• Prickling or tingling or a feeling of “pins and needles”

Diagnosis

• Physical examination. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, including any physical symptoms you have and medications that you are taking. He or she will test your reflexes and examine your feet for signs of infection, injury, or other problems.
• Blood tests. Tests may be ordered to measure your blood glucose level or screen for nutritional deficiencies or endocrine disorders. A complete blood count usually is performed. Other lab work may include serum and urine electrolytes (magnesium, sodium, potassium, vitamin B levels and chloride).
• Nerve function tests. Electrodiagnostic tests may be ordered in the case of suspected nerve damage.
  • Electromyography. This test measures the electrical activity of a muscle and is performed to see how the muscle responds to nerve stimulation. A very thin needle is inserted through the skin into the muscle to measure the muscle’s activity as it contracts and relaxes. It is performed to determine the cause of pain, numbness or tingling.
  • Nerve conduction velocity test. This test is done to assess the speed at which electrical impulses move along a nerve. It is performed to differentiate between true nerve disorders and conditions in which muscles are affected by a nerve injury. Flat electrodes are placed on the skin along the nerve pathway and a low-intensity current is applied.

Treatment

                                              

1. Soak your feet in cool water for at least 15 minutes. This may provide temporary relief. ...
2. Avoid exposing your feet to heat.
3. Raise your legs and feet.
4. Take over-the-counter pain medicines (analgesics). ...
5. Apply topical creams and ointments.
6. 
   
7. Medication
8. Burning feet treatments include treating the pain and abnormal sensations created by neuropathy. ...
9. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
10. Desipramine (Norpramin)
11. Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
12. Gabapentin (Neurontin)
13. Pregabalin (Lyrica)
14. Topiramate (Topamax)
15. Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)