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At 5:00 I Am Awakened By A Sensation Of Burning
Question: At 5:00 I am awakened by a sensation of burning skin on my arms and upper chest. The sensation is strongest between my wrists and shoulders only on the outside, not the inside of my arms. My arms feel coolish when I touch them so the cause is not too heavy a blanket. I need more sleep but cannot get back to sleep once awakened. The sensation lasts about half an hour. Sometimes during the day I also have the sensation of burning skin on the soles of my feet. I am generally healthy, age 79, blood pressure and other measures O.K. wt. 139 ht 5'4". Thanks for explaining what this is.
Brief Answer:
?Sensory neuropathy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.
The burning in your limb and chest might be due compression and irritation of nerves and nerve roots and your clinician might be right.
Most common cause of a neuropathy is diabetes but it can be due to multiple reasons like vitamin B12 deficiency,autoimmunity,brain and spinal cord problems.
As you don't have a history of diabetes,you need to visit a neurologist who will do an elaborate neurological examination and would subject you to some tests like blood work to rule out vitamin deficiencies and autoimmunity,nerve function tests,nerve conduction studies and EMG(Electromyography).Scans of brain and spine are also procured, if indicated.
Time being,you should take plentiful of foods rich in vitamin B12 (Vitamin B12 is an integral component of myelin sheath covering the nerves).You can also take commercially available preparations.
Cold packs will help to reduce the burning sensation.
You can use NSAIDs ,if their is associated pain.
Antidepressants are of help and are usually prescribed to neuropathy patients.
At times a procedure called TENS(Transcutaneus electric nerve stimulation) is used.
Let your neurologist tailor your treatment protocol according to the clinical findings and test reports.
Hope that I have answered your query and if you have any doubts,please let me know.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
?Sensory neuropathy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.
The burning in your limb and chest might be due compression and irritation of nerves and nerve roots and your clinician might be right.
Most common cause of a neuropathy is diabetes but it can be due to multiple reasons like vitamin B12 deficiency,autoimmunity,brain and spinal cord problems.
As you don't have a history of diabetes,you need to visit a neurologist who will do an elaborate neurological examination and would subject you to some tests like blood work to rule out vitamin deficiencies and autoimmunity,nerve function tests,nerve conduction studies and EMG(Electromyography).Scans of brain and spine are also procured, if indicated.
Time being,you should take plentiful of foods rich in vitamin B12 (Vitamin B12 is an integral component of myelin sheath covering the nerves).You can also take commercially available preparations.
Cold packs will help to reduce the burning sensation.
You can use NSAIDs ,if their is associated pain.
Antidepressants are of help and are usually prescribed to neuropathy patients.
At times a procedure called TENS(Transcutaneus electric nerve stimulation) is used.
Let your neurologist tailor your treatment protocol according to the clinical findings and test reports.
Hope that I have answered your query and if you have any doubts,please let me know.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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