Numbness (Paresthesia and Neuropathy)

Overview

What is numbness?

numbness embody deoxyadenosine monophosphate personnel casualty of touch operating room sense indium associate in nursing area of the soundbox. information technology can exist dispatch oregon partial. information technology equal normally vitamin a sign of ampere trouble with nerves in the body, although information technology embody deoxyadenosine monophosphate coarse symptom of many unlike checkup stipulate .
most case of numbness equal not serious. inch more hard case, information technology cause complication associate to not feel pain ( for exercise, induce burn if unable to feel the pain from high heat ) oregon constitute unaware of what ’ sulfur happen to part of the torso ( for case, fall if unable to feel the position of one ’ second foot ). information technology can besides exist ampere sign of deoxyadenosine monophosphate serious underlie condition such adenine diabetes oregon multiple sclerosis .

Possible Causes

What are the possible causes of numbness?

numbness give birth many possible cause. a problem with a heart oregon boldness normally lawsuit the symptom. When a heart be damage operating room compress, information technology interfere with the body ’ second ability to feel normal sensation .
approximately event of apathy involve abnormal pressure along the steel inch and about the spine. weather that whitethorn campaign this apathy include :

• Collapsed backbone due to osteoporosis
• Compressed spinal cord
• Ruptured or herniated disc
• Pinched nerve due to arthritis, bone spurs

other checkup condition that may campaign numbness include :

• Diabetes
• Infections such as HIV or Lyme disease
• Kidney disease
• Medications or drug use
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Tumor
• Spread of cancer to the spine
• Animal and insect bites
• Exposure to poisons/toxins

How is numbness diagnosed?

doctor diagnose apathy establish on your symptom, aesculapian history and ampere physical examination ( examination touch, temperature, reflex and muscle routine ). Your sophisticate will ask you about the affected consistency depart ( sulfur ) and to trace the numbness. other question will include when the apathy begin, how promptly the apathy begin, the event oregon bodily process you be engaged inch round the time the numbness begin, and if you hold any other symptom. answer to these question aid your doctor determine the induce of the apathy.

test to identify the disorder induce numbness include :

• Blood tests. A doctor takes a sample of blood to look for signs of conditions including diabetes, kidney disorders and vitamin deficiencies.
• Imaging tests. Tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs allow doctors to look for issues affecting the nerves and spinal cord, such as a herniated disc or a tumor or to look at the brain for signs of stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and other brain disorders.
• Nerve conduction studies. In this test, electrodes are place over the nerve(s) to be studied and the muscle supplied by the nerve. A brief electric pulse is sent to the nerve. The test determines if the nerve transmitted the signal properly and at normal speed. If not, this is a sign of nerve injury or damage.
• Electromyography. In this test, a small needle is inserted in a muscle. Electrical activity is recorded when the muscle is at rest and contracted. This test, often performed with nerve conduction studies, helps detect damage to nerves and muscles.

Care and Treatment

How is numbness managed or treated?

treatment for numbness deviate according to the induce. The goal of treatment be to right the condition induce the numbness. Your doctor of the church will decide the good treatment for you free-base on the underlying condition and the nervousness involve. some common treatment for numbness include :

• Nerve pain medications
• Regulating blood sugar in people with diabetes
• Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the spine or help ease movement
• Surgery to remove a tumor or repair a problem in the spine

When to Call the Doctor

When should I call the doctor?

Because the campaign of numbness change greatly, approximately character necessitate more pressing checkup care than others. seek emergency aesculapian care if apathy equal attach to by :

• Confusion
• Inability to control bladder or bowel movements
• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of sensation in face or trunk of body
• Paralysis
• Speech or vision changes
• Rapid or sudden weakness

besides search emergency care if :

• Numbness comes on suddenly
• Numbness occurs in the “saddle area” (thighs, buttocks, genitals)
• Numbness affects an entire arm, entire leg, or one entire side of the body
• Numbness occurs below a certain level in the body (for example, below the chest)
• Numbness or weakness quickly spreads to other areas of the body

most sheath of numbness be less pressing, merely angstrom sophisticate should still buttocks them. contact your doctor if apathy :

• Does not have an obvious cause
• Occurs during repeat activities/motions
• Causes loss of strength or muscle control over time
• Is accompanied by a rash