DEAR DR. GOTT: Please comment on neuropathy. How does one get it, what medication treats it, and is it curable? Can it be caused by a broken toe?

DEAR READER: Neuropathy can be defined as a disorder or disease of the nervous system. Because you provide limited information, I cannot determine which form, if any, you might have. Unless your toe fracture was quite traumatic, it’s my guess it’s not likely to have resulted in neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy refers to damage to nerves over which we have no control, such as those of digestion, perspiration, blood pressure and heartbeat. Symptoms can include dizziness and fainting on standing (orthostatic hypotension), caused by a drop in blood pressure; gastroparesis (difficulty digesting food), causing diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite and bloating; exercise intolerance, during which the heart rate remains stable despite the level of activity; hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) [Read more...]