The Path to Pain-Free Healthy Living Begins at Sarasota Neuropathy Center
Diabetes and Neuropathy Treatment in Southgate, FL
Living with neuropathy and diabetes is a challenge that millions of Americans face every day. Neuropathy - which comes in several forms and manifests in many ways - can affect any person. In the United States, neuropathy and diabetes often go hand-in-hand, with about 50% of people with diabetes suffering from the condition. In fact, the number of people with neuropathy is only increasing as diabetes becomes more common and the population ages.
People who suffer from these conditions must endure painful and disruptive symptoms, such as:
- Intense Bouts of Sharp, Burning Pain
- Numbness, Prickling, or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Decreased Muscle Strength and Paralysis
- Trouble with Balance and Coordination
- Unusually High Sensitivity to Touch
- Digestive and Bladder Control Issues
While some patients are at a greater risk of developing certain types of neuropathy, it doesn't discriminate between sex, race, age, or medical history. Fortunately, neuropathy and diabetes awareness are growing. By proxy, so are new and exciting treatment options that show dramatic improvements in both conditions.
If you've been suffering from the symptoms of diabetes or neuropathy and are in search of a truly effective solution, Sarasota Neuropathy Center can help. Unlike some clinics, our commitment is to offer more than temporary relief. As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Southgate, FL, we aim to rectify the distinct root causes underlying each patient's symptoms.
But to understand how we're able to accomplish that goal, you've got to first understand the nuances of neuropathy and diabetes.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
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Neuropathy 101
Neuropathy is a medical condition that arises when the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, fail to function correctly due to damage or disease. These nerves are essential for detecting sensations such as warmth, cold, and pain, as well as regulating muscle movement and carrying out automatic processes like digestion and heartbeat without our conscious involvement.
What Causes Neuropathy?
When patients speak with a nerve pain doctor for the first time, they have a lot of questions, and rightfully so. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear centers around the factors causing neuropathy. If you're reading this article, chances are you have similar questions. While we can't pinpoint what's causing your neuropathy without proper testing, here are a few of the most common factors that can cause neuropathy to manifest:
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of diabetes in adults - especially when a person has dealt with high blood sugar levels over long periods of time. When diabetes harms your nerves, it can lead to diabetic neuropathy and create a recurring trigger for this type of nerve damage.
Lack of Vitamins
Your nerves require certain vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B12, B6, and vitamin E, to function correctly. Without a balanced diet or supplementation, deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to nerve damage over time.
Autoimmune Disorders
In certain instances, a person's immune system accidentally attacks its own cells, including nerve tissues. When this happens, neuropathy often follows. Diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome come under this category, where the immune system's misguided attack on nerves causes dysfunction and pain.
Genetics
Neuropathy can be inherited in some families, meaning it is passed down from one generation to another. When this occurs, peripheral nerves can be affected by genetic forms of the condition, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Infections in the Body
There are certain viruses and bacteria that have the ability to attack nerve tissues and also cause conditions that can result in nerve damage. Examples of such infections include Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis C. These illnesses have the potential to either initiate or worsen existing neuropathy.
Physical Trauma
Physical injuries, whether caused by accidents, repetitive movements, or falls, can lead to nerve damage. Such injuries can result in neuropathy, causing loss of function and painful sensations in the affected region of the body.
What are the Different Types of Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can affect one nerve, a group of related nerves, or multiple nerves in different parts of the body. The symptoms can vary depending on which type of nerve signals are affected. Keep reading for a closer look at the various types of neuropathies and how they affect you. If one of the categories below sounds familiar, make a mental note to discuss it with your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Southgate, FL.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in Your Arms and Legs
Of all the different types of neuropathies, this is the kind that you're probably most familiar with, as it's the most common form treated in the U.S.It occurs most often when the nerves responsible for transmitting messages of touch and movement between your brain and your extremities don't function properly.
Symptoms can include:
- Sensations of Pins and Needles
- Numbness
- Soreness
- Cramping
- Shooting Pains
As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can occur, making it difficult to perform precise movements and walk without assistance. Balance problems are also common.
Focal Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in a Specific Area
Focal neuropathy can sometimes result in damage to a single nerve or a cluster of nerves in a particular region, leading to localized pain or weakness. For instance, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the wrist, causing numbness or weakness in the hand. Similarly, Bell's palsy can impact the face, resulting in droopiness or stiffness on one side of the face.
Other symptoms can include:
- Muscles Don't Work Correctly
- Sharp Pains
- Localized Pain and Weakness
Autonomic Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain That Controls Automatic Body Functions
This type of neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as heartbeat, digestion, and bladder control. When these nerves are damaged
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness When Standing Quickly
- Issues with Sexual Intercourse
- Constipation
- Issues Regulating Body Temperature
Compression Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain from Your Nerves Being Squeezed
This type of neuropathy happens when a nerve is pinched or squeezed. It happens most often when you are injured or have to repeat actions over and over again for work or sports purposes. Some examples include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and sciatica. Symptoms can include:
Symptoms can include:
- Sharp Shooting Pain
- Weakness in the Affected Body Part
- Numbness
Whether you or someone you love are trying to live with neuropathy, you know that it can significantly alter lifestyles, making it difficult to perform day-to-day activities, work, or engage in hobbies. That's why it's so important to understand the underlying causes of your nerve pain, so that you can receive appropriate treatment and improve your quality of life. Taking care of the root problem, as well as managing the pain and other symptoms, is key to helping you stay active and comfortable. That's where working with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Southgate, FL, becomes crucial.
Addressing the Root Causes of Your Neuropathy
Sarasota Neuropathy Center is a nerve pain clinic that provides patients with a comprehensive, rewarding journey toward healing. It begins with a thorough evaluation that involves in-depth laboratory tests and analyses. This introductory step helps us identify the specific factors that contribute to your peripheral neuropathy. Our team of neuropathy treatment specialists then creates a personalized treatment plan tailored exclusively to your body and symptoms.
By providing you with a wide range of strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of your condition, you can achieve lasting relief and may even be able to reverse the effects of peripheral neuropathy.
Our advanced therapeutic options include:
Nerve Regeneration Equipment
We use cutting-edge machinery like laser light therapy and electromagnetic impulses to stimulate your nerves, encourage repair, and foster nerve tissue regeneration.
Vaso-Pulse Technology
This FDA-approved treatment sends signals through your feet and around your spine, which helps us highlight and rectify areas where nerve and vascular damage are present.
Antioxidants
By incorporating antioxidants into your treatment plan, we can better mitigate nerve damage and counteract oxidative stress.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Inflammation exacerbates nerve damage and pain. Our neuropathy specialists use anti-inflammatory agents to help alleviate your symptoms
Minerals and Vitamins
Nutritional deficiencies impact nerve health. We supplement those deficiencies with vitamins and minerals to help nerve repair.
Immunomodulators
For neuropathies linked to autoimmune disorders, we employ immunomodulators that help regulate the immune system's activity to prevent it from attacking the body's own nerve tissues.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Changing your diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine are two of the best ways to support nerve health.
Through a personalized, natural, and comprehensive treatment plan from Sarasota Neuropathy Center, reclaiming your life doesn't have to be a dream - it can be a true possibility.
Diabetes 101
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. This happens when the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating its absorption into cells for energy or storage.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, resulting in little to no insulin production. This condition usually develops in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes have to depend on daily insulin administration to manage their blood sugar levels.
The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is not fully understood, although it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to it. Contact your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Southgate, FL to learn more about this disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is mainly caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. In this condition, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells don't use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes can sometimes be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes, although some people may still need medications or insulin therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and typically goes away after giving birth. However, it can give an indication of a woman's future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body's cells more resistant to insulin. It's important to manage Gestational Diabetes to prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Genetics
You can have genetic links to both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These links make you predisposed to the condition.
Lifestyle
Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all contribute to insulin resistance, which causes diabetes
Autoimmune
Your immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production and Type 1 Diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
The most prevalent type of diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - arises when cells resist insulin's effect, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Many patients who speak with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Southgate, FL assume they have Type 2 Diabetes, but aren't 100% sure. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, we would need to conduct tests to verify whether you have the disease. With that said, the following symptoms often manifest when you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Neuropathy
Type 2 Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes tingling and numbness, especially in your feet and hands.
Tiredness
Chronic fatigue happens when your body can't utilize glucose for energy in the right way.
Excessive Urination and Thirst
When you have high blood sugar, your body's natural response is to eliminate excess fluids. This can cause you to urinate frequently and can also cause you to feel very thirsty.
Slow-Healing Wounds
High blood sugar impairs your body's ability to heal itself and resist infection.
Vision Changes
When your blood sugar spikes, it can cause visual disturbances that can blur your vision.
Unexplained Weight Loss
In uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes, the body may begin to break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to unexplained weight loss.
If you believe you may have Type 2 Diabetes, it's important to get checked out ASAP. Regular health screenings and glucose monitoring are important for early detection and effective management of Type 2 Diabetes, as symptoms may not be apparent in the initial stages.
The Sarasota Neuropathy Approach to Diabetes Care
As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Southgate, FL, we are committed to offering a groundbreaking approach for Type 2 Diabetes, which focuses on reversing the condition by addressing the root causes rather than just managing the symptoms. Our innovative strategy goes beyond conventional treatment paradigms and delves into the underlying factors that contribute to Type 2 Diabetes.
We use a holistic methodology that includes comprehensive lifestyle interventions, nutritional counseling, and personalized medical oversight. This approach has consistently demonstrated remarkable efficacy in significantly reducing blood glucose levels among our patients.
Key highlights of our diabetes treatment include:
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The Path to Relief Starts with a Diabetic and Neuropathy Treatment Specialist in Southgate, FL
At Sarasota Diabetes & Neuropathy Center, our mission is to empower you to overcome neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetes, or both by embarking on a transformative journey to wellness. By integrating advanced medical care with comprehensive lifestyle interventions, we help you achieve better health outcomes and a renewed sense of hope and control over your journey to a healthy life.
Latest News in Southgate, FL
Sarasota Macy's at The Crossings one of seven Florida stores confirmed to close this year
Heather Bushmanhttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2025/01/10/sarasota-macys-at-the-crossing-will-close-this-year-southgate-mall/77592759007/
After months of speculation, Sarasota is officially losing a department store giant.The Macy’s at The Crossings at Sies...
After months of speculation, Sarasota is officially losing a department store giant.
The Macy’s at The Crossings at Siesta Key will close this year, the company confirmed in a press release Thursday. The location is one of seven stores in Florida and 66 across the country seen as “underproductive” and on the chopping block ahead of the chain’s “Bold New Chapter” strategy that will see 150 locations close through fiscal year 2026.
Macy’s reported it would close roughly 65 stores by the end of the fiscal year, though it remained tight-lipped about specific locations until Thursday’s announcement. The closures are part of the company’s plan to invest in its remaining 350 stores and “return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth” after years of struggling, according to a press release.
“Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service,” Tony Spring, Macy’s, Inc. chairman and CEO, said of the closures.
Macy’s has not released dates for the closure, though it said clearance sales for closing locations will begin this month and run 8 to 12 weeks on its Store Closures FAQ page. These are the Florida Macy’s stores confirmed to close this year:
The Macy’s at Southgate Plaza, as many in Sarasota know The Crossings, is the third to close in Sarasota in a decade. The Macy’s at Desoto Square Mall closed in 2014, and the Macy’s at Sarasota Square Mall closed in 2017.
Macy's location prime for new Benderson residential project
Benderson Development purchased The Crossings, a 440,000-square-foot mall, for $25.1 million in 2022, according to property records. Additionally, Benderson owns an adjacent lot with an Aldi and a former Dillard’s store, totaling around 34 acres in that location.
The Sarasota County Commission approved a zoning change that will allow Benderson to build a mixed-use development on the property this past fall. The development proposes 848 residential units — 85 of them designated as attainable housing — and commercial space, though the company has yet to submit an official site plan.
What's next for other tenants at The Crossings?
Doris Volk has been a fixture at the mall for 22 years, with her The Orchid Lady kiosk for 12 years before moving into a storefront about a decade ago.
She said while the loss of Macy's, the mall's anchor tenant, is not ideal, she's not going anywhere while the mall still has space for her.
Benderson Development received approval last year to redevelop the mall into a mixed-use project, however, Volk said her lease runs through the end of the year with the building's owner not indicating the redevelopment project is imminent.
More:Sarasota County expects another $210 million in federal hurricane recovery funds
Volk views the large parking lot on the property combined with the mall's security as providing a safe and convenient place for Sarasota shoppers.
"For me, my business will be OK," she said. "But for my customers, there's a little bit of frustration."
Her business relies on repeat customers, with Volk's business supplying people with plants from as far south as Boca Grande and as far north as Parrish.
"I feel so blessed and want to thank all my customers for their support," she said.
Cheryl McCloud contributed to this report.
Contact Herald-Tribune Growth and Development Reporter Heather Bushman at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @hmb_1013.
Florida Tech planning six-story, 555-bed student housing complex amid campus housing crunch
Rick Nealehttps://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/12/31/florida-institute-of-technology-to-build-6-story-student-housing-complex-on-melbourne-campus/76740541007/
Florida Institute of Technology officials plan to build a six-story student housing complex with 555 beds, boosting today's scarce campus housing supply by 27%.Crews would construct this 212,000-square-foot, 84-foot-tall facility atop the Southgate intramural sports field, located at the northeast corner of Babcock Street and University Boulevard."As we con...
Florida Institute of Technology officials plan to build a six-story student housing complex with 555 beds, boosting today's scarce campus housing supply by 27%.
Crews would construct this 212,000-square-foot, 84-foot-tall facility atop the Southgate intramural sports field, located at the northeast corner of Babcock Street and University Boulevard.
"As we continue developing cutting-edge programs in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity and aerospace engineering, the interest in a Florida Tech education grows even more. So, too, does our need to house these incoming cohorts of students," President John Nicklow said in a statement.
"As with all major projects, this one has been carefully planned and thoroughly considered while we have developed our strategic and master planning processes. We are proceeding with deliberation and input from our key stakeholders and understand there are aspects of this complex endeavor still to be finalized," Nicklow said.
August 2024:Florida Tech welcomes biggest incoming class in the university's 66-year history
On Dec. 19, the Melbourne Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval of a site plan for the student housing complex. The majority of apartment-style units will be four-bedroom, two-bathroom suites with full kitchens, per the site plan.
Amenities will include a classroom area, study and lounge areas, a multipurpose room, e-bike parking and two outdoor courtyard areas "that incorporate outdoor dining and recreation," a Melbourne City Hall planning memo said.
Of particular note: a potential pedestrian crossover leading over busy Babcock Street from the second floor of the student housing building. The Florida Department of Transportation would have to issue permitting for this elevated walkway.
The Planning and Zoning Board is an advisory body. The Melbourne City Council, which will cast decisive votes on Florida Tech's site plan, next meets Jan. 14.
Nicklow believes the future housing “gives us a competitive edge in our student experience.” Total enrollment on the Melbourne campus reached 4,727 students this fall semester — while 2,034 beds are available for student housing.
Florida Tech personnel welcomed the biggest incoming class in the STEM university's 66-year history this fall with an expected 1,201 undergraduate students, topping the brief record of 1,041 undergrads in fall 2023.
Traditionally, all full-time undergraduate students enrolled at the Melbourne campus are required to live in university housing during their first two years. But that on-campus housing requirement was suspended this fall, and a lottery system was introduced “to ensure equity and fairness in the allocation of available housing.”
For comparison's sake, Florida Tech's Columbia Village freshman housing complex contains about 350 beds. Roberts Hall, a seven-story residence hall, has 250 beds.
One of mural artist Christopher Maslow's panther paintings overlooks the Southgate intramural sports field. This greenspace, which also hosts a basketball court, sees use for soccer, flag football, frisbee and other activities.
In a $2.8 million project completed last summer, Florida Tech installed synthetic turf across campus at Rick Stottler Field — which hosts the Panthers men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse teams — and the Catanese Varsity Training Center practice field.
"This foresight helped the university prepare for the housing project on Southgate now underway, which will remove the use of an intramural field," Wes Sumner, university spokesperson, said in an email.
"Discussions with representatives from Student Life, the Student Government Association, intramural and recreational sports, facilities and athletics helped shape the plan, which includes relocating the lights from Southgate to the previously unlit practice field at the Varsity Training Center, creating hours of nightly use opportunities for club, recreational and intramural teams," Sumner said.
"Additionally, these teams will have access to the baseball and softball fields as well as the Clemente gymnasium as scheduling permits," he said.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at[email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
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