Numbness of the body is a feeling of loss of sensitivity and flexibility of the limbs, often accompanied by tingling, burning, chilliness and tightness of the skin. This symptom manifests itself when there is a disturbance in the passage of nerve impulses from receptors to the brain. The feeling of someone tingling your fingers, hands, leg or other parts of the body with many small needles is quite unpleasant. However, it is not dangerous if it arose due to certain reasons, which are most often provoked by the person himself.

Numbness occurs when the body remains in an uncomfortable position for a long time. Sensitivity returns quickly when changing body position. But if after changing the position the discomfort remains, and numbness occurs quite often, this may be a symptom of a serious illness. Especially if it comes along with other symptoms of the disease - dizziness, weakness and pain. And since everything comes from nerve compression and circulatory disorders, then most often numbness is attributed to neurological and vascular symptoms. Treatment of such manifestations is associated with therapy of the underlying disease.

Causes of numbness in limbs

Numbness occurs when you lose normal sensation in a certain area of ​​the body. This occurs because disruption of normal pressure cuts off the blood supply to the nerves that carry sensory messages to the brain. This list does not include all possible causes of numbness in the hands, fingers, and feet, but some of the most common causes include:

• Pressure - Wearing tight shoes or sitting on your feet can make your leg or leg numb or cause a tingling sensation. This type of numbness has an obvious cause, gets better when the pressure is relieved and does not cause any further problems.
• Nerve problem – Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs can also be due to a pinched nerve. Intervertebral disc problems can also put pressure on the nerve that runs from your back down your leg and foot. A trapped nerve in the neck can also cause numbness anywhere in the neck, down the arms and in the fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome pinches a nerve in the wrist, causing numbness in the fingers, pain in the hand, and loss of grip strength.
• Diabetes can cause damage to the small blood vessels that supply the nerves in the fingers and toes. This may cause numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy). It is very dangerous to not be able to feel anything in your hands and feet as you may bump into objects, fall, or not realize when you are touching something hot.
• Trauma - Damage to the nerve endings in the fingers or toes can result from trauma. People who use vibrating tools a lot also develop nerve damage and experience numbness in their limbs.
• Medications - Some medications can cause nerve damage. This is usually reversible when the medications are stopped. Medicines include some chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer and lymphoma, antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS, and the antibiotic Metronidazole.
• Diseases that damage the nerves - Many conditions can damage the nervous system and cause numbness in the fingers or tingling in the extremities. These include stroke, multiple sclerosis and brain tumors. These conditions are serious, but are relatively rare and have other symptoms in addition to the numbness of the limbs.
• Alcohol abuse can cause nerve damage.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among older people and vegetarians. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes anemia and nerve damage.
• Numbness of the toes and hands in frosty weather indicates that the limbs are asking for warmth, where they will quickly warm up and come to life. An area of ​​the face that has turned white and numb in the cold can become frostbitten if measures are not taken in time.
• Sound, healthy sleep often involves lying in one position, which does not fully ensure the movement of blood in compressed areas. Numbness of the hands, the back of the head, or some area of ​​the face during sleep is not such a rare phenomenon, which requires taking a break from pleasant dreams and massaging the numb surface.

A person cannot always prevent unpleasant tingling and numbness, but he must strive for this. After all, it’s not difficult to worry about comfort during sleep in advance, choose comfortable bedding (preferably orthopedic), put on soft, luxurious pajamas, and take a comfortable position. It is somewhat more difficult for people performing work that constitutes their functional responsibilities, however, here too you should try to alternate static loads with exercises that restore blood flow.

Symptoms that cause concern

Various parts of the body go numb due to pathological changes leading to circulatory disorders:

• Deformation of intervertebral discs (osteochondrosis);
• Compression of the nerve in the canal (tunnel syndrome);
• Pinching of the neuromuscular bundle;
• Deposition of cholesterol plaques, which can affect the blood supply to many organs;
• Insufficient blood supply to a certain area of ​​the brain (the cause may be various obstacles, including those listed above).

It is worth paying attention to a sudden loss of sensitivity accompanied by other signs of trouble, clearly not similar to temporary difficulties:

1. Numbness, after which movement in the arm, leg, fingers is not restored;
2. It is accompanied by headache, dizziness, weakness, double vision, impaired coordination of movement;
3. Involuntary stool and/or urination occurred;
4. Suddenly problems with speech arose (the tongue began to slur, it was difficult to pronounce words);
5. Numbness follows recent trauma to the head, cervical spine, or back area.

Stiffness plus the presence of one of the listed symptoms, even to a person unfamiliar with neurological symptoms, gives reason to suspect a serious pathology, including acute cerebrovascular accident (hemorrhage or cerebral infarction), which is a reason to call an ambulance.

Obsessively appearing and then receding numbness in different parts of the body, accompanied by disturbances in vision, speech, and gait, may indicate the development of the following diseases:

• Brain tumor. The tumor in the brain grows and expands its territory, trying to displace neighboring tissues that suffer from pressure on them and cease to function normally. This is manifested by headache, weakness, decreased interest in life, impaired coordination of movements, as well as numbness in various parts of the patient’s body, depending on the location of the tumor in the brain;
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or dynamic (transient) cerebrovascular accident. Cerebral ischemia occurs against the background of arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels or coronary heart disease and its symptoms include dizziness, numbness of the face, right arm or left arm (depending on the location of the lesion), difficulty speaking. Due to the fact that temporary stiffness in one area can imperceptibly pass into another phase of the disease (ischemic stroke), therefore, such a condition requires immediate medical attention;
• Multiple sclerosis (MS). The formation of foci of demyelination (plaque formation) in the brain and spinal cord cannot leave the body healthy. With MS, some functions are disrupted or completely lost (speech, vision, gait, psyche, brain control over the activity of internal organs), so numbness in various parts of the body is considered a natural manifestation of this pathology.

Numbness of individual parts of the body with or without symptoms, obsessively occurring at night or due to other circumstances, can also be signs of various pathologies.

Numbness of hands during sleep

Even healthy people can get numb hands during sleep: by placing their left or right hand under their head and deeply immersed in the world of dreams, a young body can sleep through the night without ever turning over to the other side. Moving the limb and lightly rubbing it quickly returns it to normal and the unpleasant sensations are forgotten. It’s another matter when your hands systematically go numb at night, when a tingling feeling appears in the daytime, when others are added to this symptom: pain, weakness, cramps. There are different options for numbness of the upper extremities, each of which may indicate a specific pathology:

• Your hands go numb at night, and during the day you suffer from pain in the head, neck, back (and periodic numbness if you stay in one position for a long time) due to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and herniated intervertebral discs;
• The cause of numbness in the thumb may be a hemangioma or neurofibroma, which compresses the nerve endings, as well as a compressive effect on the median nerve passing through the carpal tunnel (carpal tunnel syndrome). Meanwhile, if the thumb “does not come to its senses” for half an hour or more, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor, otherwise its muscles may even atrophy;
• The hand weakens, bends poorly, the little finger and ring finger become “alien” if there is ulnar nerve neuropathy. Some patients may not even know that they have this pathology. The disease develops imperceptibly in those people who are forced to rest their elbow on a hard surface for a long time and thus compress the ulnar nerve (a computer desk, for example), moreover, right-handed people often put stress on their right hand, and in left-handed people their left hand goes numb;
• Hands go numb at night, pain in the hand bothers you, fingers (one or 4, because the little finger is not involved) become “wooden” in the case of median nerve neuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome. The most likely cause of pathological changes may be old bruises and fractures, as well as inflammatory processes localized in this area (arthritis and arthrosis). Often a similar picture is caused by edema caused by pregnancy or decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism);
• The symmetry observed in numbness of the fingers and hands is characteristic of polyneuropathy (a complication of diabetes mellitus). By the way, with polyneuropathy, not only the fingers of the upper extremities suffer; the toes often go numb, and, in addition, the surface of the foot can be affected anywhere with the development of the corresponding syndrome.
• They lose their natural color (turn white or blue), become cold to the touch, and the fingers hurt and go numb when blood circulation in the microvasculature is impaired, caused by a sharp spasm of blood vessels. This most often occurs in Raynaud's disease and scleroderma;
• It should be noted that chronic alcoholism and severe poisoning also contribute to the appearance of signs of polyneuropathy, namely, numbness of the fingers and toes during sleep and in reality;
• Of particular concern are cases when only the left hand and, especially, its thumb are numb, which is most often associated with the development of atherosclerosis, cardiac pathology, osteochondrosis of the cervical and/or thoracic spine. But if the loss of sensation in the thumb of the left hand mainly suggests diseases of the cardiovascular system, then numbness and other symptoms regarding the right hand are perceived as a suspicion of cervical spondylosis, which, however, does not affect young people;
• Heart problems are indicated by numbness in the little finger of the left hand, and if it stops showing “signs of life” paired with the ring finger, then it is time for the patient to think about a visit to a cardiologist.

If both arms go numb at the same time or an unpleasant tingling sensation is localized in a specific area of ​​the left or right arm, or affects the hands or fingers, and the clinical picture is diluted by additional symptoms (weakness, pain, numbness of other parts of the body), the thought of development of the above-mentioned serious diseases (multiple sclerosis, neoplastic process). If this happens suddenly, then a TIA or stroke can be suspected.

Possible causes of hand numbness

Each person has pain and numbness in his own way and, probably, not all options for numbness in the fingers have been considered, however, if stiff limbs are increasingly waking you up at night, and a person cannot find an explanation for this, then perhaps a short list of reasons will help him that cause these unpleasant sensations:

1. Professional activities;
2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine;
3. Intervertebral hernia;
4. Iron deficiency in the body;
5. Endocrine diseases;
6. Inflammation of the pancreas;
7. Pathological changes in joints;
8. Venous stagnation;
9. Arterial hypertension;
10. Sharp spasm of microcirculatory vessels;
11. Polyneuropathy.

In addition, to determine the true cause of hand numbness, you should pay attention to other symptoms that accompany these unpleasant, and sometimes painful, episodes:

• Weakness of the hand;
• Low contractility of the muscular system;
• Possible pain in the shoulder and forearm;
• Fatigue, malaise, bad mood;
• Dizziness;
• Heaviness in the head, noise in the ears;
• Inconsistency of movements;
• Unstable blood pressure (jumps and falls);
• Impaired functioning of the vestibular apparatus;
• Flashing "flies" before the eyes.

Some of the listed diseases and their symptoms can cause numbness in your toes.

My legs are going numb

The presence of a certain pathology may also cause numbness in the toes. Numbness of the lower extremities accompanied by intense pain after physical activity is characteristic of vascular pathology, which leads to impaired circulation and damage to nerve tissue:

• Obliterating endarteritis (thromboangiitis obliterans, Buerger's disease);
• Trophic ulcer;
• Varicose veins of the lower extremities;
• Thrombosis of blood vessels of the legs;
• Chronic venous insufficiency;
• Atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities;
• Polyneuropathy;
• Diabetic foot syndrome, which, however, refers to the clinical manifestations of polyneuropathy, which is a complication of diabetes mellitus.

The toes also go numb with neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, which we call sciatica. The disease, as a rule, is accompanied by “lumbago” in the lumbar region and in the leg; it is often a consequence of pathological changes in the lumbosacral spine:

• Intervertebral hernia;
• Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region;
• Bruises, fractures and other traumatic injuries.

Pregnant women who have very little time left before giving birth often complain of numbness in their legs. Their lateral thighs are more likely to suffer. The cause of discomfort, in addition to the additional burden on the body, may be a deficiency of iron and other microelements. In this case, cramps and other symptoms may be added to the numbness.

Thus, various pathological conditions affecting nerves and blood vessels can cause numbness in the toes. To complete the picture, let’s add some more diseases to the existing list:

• Diabetes mellitus;
• Exposure to low temperatures leading to frostbite;
• Raynaud's disease and syndrome;
• Tumors of peripheral nerves;
• Angiopathy of various origins;
• TIA (transient ischemic attack);
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Lower limb tunnel syndrome (tunnel neuropathy, nerve compression in the canal);
• Stroke and its younger “brother” (micro-stroke);
• Rheumatoid arthritis.

Of course, short-term pressure on a nerve (poor posture) and numbness in the toes is not a reason to immediately run to the doctor. You should think about it when tingling occurs frequently and is accompanied by other symptoms (pain, loss of sensitivity, loss of coordination of movements). And if a person cannot understand whether he has immersed his foot in water - cold or hot, a visit to the doctor should be urgent.

Numbness of the head, face, lips, tongue

Part of the head may become “foreign” as a result of suffering from the nerves and blood vessels passing there. Numbness is often accompanied by pain and cramps in individual muscle fibers. Unpleasant sensations can be limited to a specific place on the face, localized in some part of the head (left or right half) or cover the entire head, spreading to the back of the head. Other patients complain only of problems affecting the oral cavity (numbness of the tongue), but do not notice them in other parts of the head. Thus, numb areas can find a place in various parts of the facial skull, oral cavity, move to the back of the head or move to the neck and shoulder girdle:

1. Severe headache, convulsive twitching, numbness of the face - symptoms characteristic of trigeminal neuralgia;
2. As a cause of pain, numbness of the tip of the tongue, dryness of the oral mucosa without changing its color, glossalgia is noted, which is often present in people with a main diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VCD, autonomic dysfunction, etc.);
3. Autonomic dysfunction can cause pain and numbness in other parts of the head (face, temporal region, back of the head), as well as numbness of the fingers, trembling, increased body temperature, the appearance of panic attacks and other autonomic disorders;
4. A sudden numb spot on the face, an aura that followed the numbness with nausea and multi-colored circles, zigzags, flashes, glare in front of the eyes and the addition of a severe headache a little later - a picture that most likely represents a combination of symptoms of migraine;
5. Along with dizziness, tinnitus, heaviness in the head and other symptoms, the feeling that the back of the head has become “wooden” is often present in people with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and impaired blood flow in the vertebral arteries (vertebrobasilar insufficiency).
6. The cause of problems in the oral cavity (smooth “lacquered” tongue, numbness) can be B12 deficiency anemia. It should be noted that the triad characteristic of this disease (damage to the blood, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system) entails the appearance of many other symptoms, including sensitivity disorders in different parts of the patient’s body;
7. A rash, redness of the “dead” area on the face, periodically occurring “lumbago” in the problem area may be signs of shingles. Localization of a herpetic infection in the mouth can be manifested by suffering in the upper or lower lip, tip of the tongue, mucous membrane of the cheeks, and palate. In addition to the fact that with herpes the tongue or an area of ​​facial skin goes numb, this infection, even affecting relatively small areas, can result in a violation of the general condition of the body (high temperature, malaise, fatigue, decreased performance);
8. The color of the oral mucosa changes, painful ulcers form, the tongue hurts and goes numb when a fungal infection spreads in a given place (candidiasis, thrush) and the development of stomatitis;
9. Injuries to the facial and masticatory muscles, previous dental and plastic surgeries, bone fractures and jaw dislocations can have consequences such as numbness of the head, face, tip of the tongue and other areas located near the affected cranial nerve;

If, with the feeling that your tongue is going numb, you begin to feel dizzy, weakness appears, and numbness in your arms, legs, or other parts of the body is added, there is a danger that this is associated with the development of a serious pathology: transient ischemic attack, pre-stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, or malignant anemia (megaloblastic anemia).

Numb Tongue

For no apparent reason, this muscular organ is somehow not subject to numbness. It’s another matter if he turns out to be too “curious” or other (not very scary) reasons make him numb.

1. More often, the tongue of children who are learning about the world around them becomes numb, although they may not say so. They taste life in the literal and figurative sense: they cannot wait for the tea or soup to cool down, or out of curiosity they try with the tip of their tongue a metal surface sparkling in the winter sun - such numbness goes away in a couple of days, when the mucous membrane is completely restored. Adults sometimes behave like children, when the tip of the tongue becomes a kind of analyzer;
2. The tongue goes numb due to the improper use of certain medications (which is why it is recommended to swallow chlorpromazine and libexin whole and not chew it) or prolonged and also improper use of medications containing hormones and intended to relieve attacks of bronchial asthma (various types of inhalers);
3. The tongue goes numb, the sense of smell and taste of smokers changes for the worse, so the profession of a taster is clearly not in danger for them, but they only have themselves to blame.
4. Not only the tip of the tongue, but the entire organ becomes numb and refuses to fulfill its functional purpose in the dental chair after the introduction of an anesthetic (Novocaine, Ultracaine) for the purpose of tooth extraction or other operations;

Numbness that has one of the above reasons and disappears when it is eliminated is not a pathological condition and does not require the help of a doctor. Here a person helps himself and draws conclusions about what is possible and what is not: damage to the tip of the tongue in the cold, as a rule, happens only once in a lifetime, but sooner or later everyone goes through this.

When to see a doctor

When faced with numbness, people often doubt whether they should go to the doctor or wait until the symptoms of numbness go away on their own. In what cases does numbness require a mandatory consultation with a neurologist?

• Numbness of the limbs occurs frequently and for no apparent reason.
• Numbness causes loss of coordination of movements.
• Sensitivity to different temperatures decreases, and a person cannot distinguish between warm and cold water.
• Numbness is accompanied by weakness, pain, or loss of mobility.
• Along with numbness, visual impairment and mental disorders occur.

Many episodes of numbness are a signal to take action. Often, a transient ischemic attack is manifested by a short-term decrease in sensitivity and may soon be forgotten, however, today is a TIA, and tomorrow is a stroke, so if there are concerns that the numbness is associated with problems in the head, you should immediately call an ambulance, because acute cerebrovascular accident (stroke) ) can also happen on the way to the clinic.

Diagnosis of numbness of extremities

If numbness occurs frequently, lasts more than 2-3 minutes and its cause is unknown to you, consult a neurologist. Diagnosis of the causes of numbness in various parts of the body includes the following examination methods:

1. A general blood test can detect iron deficiency anemia (a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood), as well as pernicious anemia (with a deficiency of vitamin B12).
2. X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans can detect bone fractures that may cause nerve damage. Also, using these examination methods, osteochondrosis, herniated intervertebral discs, arthritis (inflammation of the joints) and other diseases are detected.
3. Electroneuromyography (ENMG) is used to determine the location of nerve damage, helping to identify carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, and other conditions.
4. Doppler ultrasound examination of blood vessels helps in the diagnosis of vascular diseases, such as deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, atherosclerosis of the lower extremity vessels, etc.

Treatment of numbness

Treatment for body numbness depends on the disease that led to the development of this symptom.

For osteochondrosis the following is prescribed:

• drug treatment - anti-inflammatory, decongestant, angioprotective;
• local - manual therapy, massage;
• physiotherapeutic - magnetotherapy, ultrasound, laser treatment;
• Exercise therapy, therapeutic exercises;
• acupuncture, vacuum therapy.

For hernias and protrusions, chondroprotectors are prescribed, and in some cases, surgical intervention.

For carpal tunnel syndrome, conservative treatment is prescribed - restriction of hand movements, bracing, anti-inflammatory and diuretic drugs, drugs that improve blood flow in the vessels. Physiotherapy and acupuncture are effective. If conservative therapy is ineffective, a surgical operation is performed, which consists of cutting the wrist ligament under local anesthesia and restoring blood supply to the hand.

Treatment of spinal neoplasms and brain tumors depends on its location, size, and general condition of the patient. The most commonly used combination treatment is a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Modern clinics use radiosurgery (gamma knife).

For diabetes mellitus, in addition to prescribed glucose-lowering medications to control insulin and blood glucose, it is necessary to follow a strict diet and nutrition regimen to prevent the development of complications.

The main thing in the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome and disease is the normalization of the nervous system. It is possible to eliminate the symptoms of the disease by changing your lifestyle: improving working conditions, giving up bad habits. Hypothermia of the extremities and getting wet feet should not be allowed.

With multiple sclerosis, you can only alleviate the patient’s condition and slow down the progression of the disease. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, plasmapheresis, and beta-interferons are prescribed.

Drug treatment

In the medicinal treatment of osteochondrosis, painkillers in powder form - Nimesil, Olfen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin - provide a good but temporary effect. Side effects - stomach pain, nausea, intestinal upset. Contraindications – take medications with caution for people with gastrointestinal problems. Along with tablets, treatment with external combination medications is used. They relieve inflammation, improve blood flow, and relieve pain. These are Fastum gel, Dolobene gel, Chondroxide ointment.

Chondroprotectors are prescribed in tablets (Alflutop, Glucosamine). They strengthen the tissue of the intervertebral discs. The dosage is determined individually by the attending physician. Novocaine blockades may be prescribed to quickly relieve pain.

For diabetes mellitus, along with constant monitoring of blood sugar, an endocrinologist can prescribe medications that stimulate the secretory functions of the pancreas (Glimepiride, Tolbutamide). Side effects are a sharp decrease in blood glucose concentration. Metformin – increases tissue sensitivity to insulin. Side effects - gastrointestinal upset. Acarbose, Miglitol - reduce the absorption of fast carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract and the body's need for insulin. Treatment and dosage are determined by the attending physician.

For carpal tunnel syndrome, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs (Nimesil) are prescribed to reduce swelling, reduce pressure on the nerve, and reduce pain. If they are not effective enough, Cortisone injections may be prescribed.

Raynaud's syndrome is treated with vasodilators and blood viscosity-lowering drugs, nicotinic acid. There are new, modern medications - Nifedipine, Verapamil. The treatment regimen and dosage are prescribed by a specialist.

For multiple sclerosis, medications can slow the progression of the disease. These are immunosuppressants - Azathioprine, Simulect, Cyclosporine hexane, Certican. The dosage is calculated by the doctor. Side effects - possible headache, nausea, heaviness in the stomach.

What to do if you feel numb

You should call an ambulance if you notice you have a loss of body sensation that goes down one side of your body (possibly a stroke). If the numbness/tingling occurs repeatedly or you do not fully recover, you should seek emergency medical attention. If you have many attacks of numbness, or feel discomfort or pain due to numbness, consult a doctor.

• Knead tough clothes/shoes.
• Stand up and clench the limb if you have been sitting/leaning on it for a long time.
• Avoid heavy lifting, repetitive movements, reduce stress on your neck, take regular breaks from work, do yoga or Pilates to avoid poor posture.
• Manage diabetes, if you have it, with diet, medications and regular checkups.
• Avoid excess alcohol consumption.
• Avoid vitamin B12 deficiency by getting a blood test to see if you need a supplement.
• See your doctor if you have signs of a neurological disease (loss of body sensation, difficulty walking, poor coordination).
• Contact your doctor if the numbness problem recurs, has no obvious cause, or does not fully recover within a few minutes.
• Driving is not a problem for simple cases of numbness/tingling, but avoid driving if the situation is more complex, or if the diagnosis is less clear.

Prevention

In order not to experience a feeling of body numbness, burning and itching in the limbs after sleep, you need a comfortable sleeping place, an orthopedic pillow. If pathological sensations are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, it is necessary to modify your lifestyle:

• Quitting smoking and alcohol.
• Avoid working at the computer for long periods of time, especially before bed.
• Do not overload the brush.
• Avoid nervous stress.

For Raynaud's disease, massage, exercise therapy, spa treatment with physiotherapy, and prevention of infections and concomitant diseases are indicated. Do not overcool or work with chemicals.

With osteochondrosis, hernias, protrusions, you need to learn how to lift weights correctly, bend over, give up bad habits, sleep on an orthopedic mattress, and not stay in one position for a long time.

If you have diabetes, you must strictly follow a diet, proper sleep and rest, and maintain proper water balance. Avoid stress, move actively, spend more time in the fresh air, give up bad habits.

Stroke prevention is necessary for those who are at risk - hypertensive patients, patients with atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and overweight people. A low-salt diet, quitting smoking and alcohol, weight loss, and blood pressure control are recommended.

Numbness of the limbs– characterized by an unpleasant sensation of loss of sensitivity and flexibility of the limb, often accompanied by tingling, burning, chilliness and tightness of the skin.

Numbness of the limbs occurs when there is a disturbance in the passage of nerve impulses from receptors to the brain. Occurs when the body remains in an uncomfortable position for a long time. Sensitivity returns quickly when changing body position. But if after changing the position the discomfort remains, and numbness occurs quite often, this may be a symptom of a serious illness.

When to see a doctor

When faced with numbness, people often doubt whether they should go to the doctor or wait until the symptoms of numbness go away on their own.

In what cases does numbness require a mandatory consultation with a neurologist?

• Numbness of the limbs occurs frequently and for no apparent reason
• Numbness causes loss of coordination
• Sensitivity to different temperatures decreases, and a person cannot distinguish between warm and cold water
• Numbness accompanied by weakness, pain, or loss of mobility
• Along with numbness, visual impairment and mental disorders occur

Why do my hands, feet or fingers go numb?

Often, numbness of the limbs can be a sign of the following diseases:

• Circulatory disorders in the extremities
• Tunnel syndromes caused by nerve compression in narrow areas: the elbow, wrist, ankles or groin
• Raynaud's disease, which is characterized by circulatory disorders of the arteries, most often in the extremities
• Intervertebral hernia
• Rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases that cause nerve damage as a result of joint deformation
• Transient ischemic attacks
• Deficiency of vitamins (especially vitamin B 12) and microelements, as well as excessive alcohol consumption
• Migraine
• Some hereditary diseases caused by nerve damage

Numbness of the arms and hands

Often occurs when the neurovascular bundle is compressed by connective tissue or muscles. Numbness can turn into pain over time. To determine the place where compression occurs, the doctor conducts diagnostics.

In some cases, numbness in the hands is associated with dysfunction of the spine. In this case, only a doctor will be able to determine the affected area and eliminate the compression of the vessel or nerve.

Numbness of fingers

Numbness in the fingers is quite common these days. Daily work on a computer keyboard often provokes the development of the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome.

The syndrome occurs when tension causes the tendon to swell and compress the nerve that provides sensation to the fingers (thumb, index, and middle) and palm. The tendons and nerve pass through a common, rather narrow canal. When the tendon is swollen, pressure on the nerve causes tingling, numbness, and throbbing pain in the toes.

If treatment is not started on time, the disease can lead to the death of the muscle responsible for the movements of the thumb. According to statistics, women are more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Numb feet

Numbness in the legs is caused by impaired nerve sensitivity. According to statistics, more than 90% of cases of numbness in the legs are caused by problems with the spine: osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, etc.

Intervertebral hernias compress the nerve roots, causing tissue spasm. As a result, a person may feel pain and numbness in the legs, a feeling of “pins and needles” or “wobbly legs.”

Pain and numbness in the legs can also occur due to changes in the lumbar spine. Often, even before signs of numbness appear, the patient begins to feel constant pain in the lumbar region. If you do not seek medical help in time, the disease will progress.

Less commonly, numbness in the legs is explained by other systemic diseases, such as diabetes.

Numb toes

Various metabolic diseases, such as radiculoneuritis, can cause numbness in the toes. Also, the cause may be spinal tuberculosis, osteochondrosis, in which there is a narrowing of the intervertebral spaces, various disorders in the blood vessels, and sometimes the development of a malignant tumor.

Oncological diseases cause numbness in the toes due to tumor growth outside or inside the spinal cord. The tumor creates pressure, which causes numbness.

1. When there is numbness in the limbs, smoking is a deadly poison, since nicotine causes spasm of the blood vessels. For the same reason, strong tea and coffee, as well as alcohol, are contraindicated for patients with numbness.
2. You should eat more hot food. The best dish is hot buckwheat or oatmeal porridge. It is good to eat sprouted grains for breakfast.
3. It is necessary to harden the body: light running, and in winter - skating and skiing, will help normalize the blood supply to the arms and legs. Those who do not have a good blood supply to the extremities need to eat foods rich in microelements, in particular iron.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers recipes to relieve the symptoms of numbness.

• Contrast baths. An effective remedy for numbness are contrast baths. You need to prepare two containers: with moderately hot and cold water. Alternately lower your arms (or legs) into cold or hot water for 30 seconds. Repeat alternation 5 times. Apply turpentine ointment and put on mittens (or socks). Perform procedures in the morning and evening for 10 days.
• Honey wrap. Make a honey wrap at night. Apply a thin layer of honey to the areas where numbness is often felt and wrap with a cotton cloth. Numbness stops after 3-4 wraps.
• Camphor ointment. Rub your hands with camphor ointment until they turn red before going to bed. Wear wool mittens or gloves. It is enough to carry out 2-3 sessions to stop the numbness.
• Ledum. Infuse wild rosemary in apple cider vinegar in a ratio of 1:3 for a week. Rub the tincture into your fingers or toes 3 times a day.

A person encounters a condition of numbness of the limbs, so-called paresthesia, quite often. In everyday life, it can be observed during a long stay in a constrained, uncomfortable position of the arms or legs. The main sign of its manifestation is considered to be a temporary complete loss of control over a limb, while motor signals of the brain are blocked in a certain area. The return of sensitivity is accompanied by a feeling of acute, unpleasant tingling. A minute of panicky helplessness is replaced by the full functioning of a numb limb. Such cases are completely harmless.

Numbness of the limbs during sleep does not pose a danger to human health. It is often experienced by people who like to sleep with their arms tucked under their heads or tilted up onto the pillow. Changing the position restores impaired blood circulation, and the unpleasant sensation goes away.

The concern should be caused by numbness that occurs in an area of ​​the skin, reducing sensitivity and capturing the upper layers of muscle tissue, without blocking the mobility of the joint itself. They have very characteristic symptoms in the form of tightening and burning, sometimes a feeling of unpleasant cold in hot weather, and are signs of serious diseases. As a rule, loss of sensitivity occurs in the progressive stages of many of them. Treatment of numbness of the extremities consists of an accurate diagnosis of the underlying disease.

Causes of numbness in limbs

Pathological numbness, as a rule, accompanies diseases associated with disruption of the nervous system and blood circulation. Its peculiarity is that changing the position of the limb or massaging does not lead to the restoration of normal sensitivity.

The causes of numbness in the extremities can be the following diseases:

• Osteochondrosis. A disease of articular cartilage leading to their degeneration. Changing the shape of the joint puts pressure on the blood vessels, disrupting their function. Paresthesia in this case is accompanied by a feeling of pain in the joints themselves. An advanced form can lead to complete atrophy of the limb;
• Arthritis. This disease and other forms of its complications cause damage and deformation of the joints. These changes have a constraining effect on their mobility and disrupt normal blood circulation. Numbness covers areas of the skin with redness characteristic of arthritis and is manifested by a burning sensation;
• Raynaud's disease. It affects the smallest arteries of the hands and is often a consequence of frostbite. Increased sensitivity to cold causes pain when the ambient temperature drops, and possible darkening of the fingertips. Numbness of the limb is manifested by a feeling of coldness in the phalanges caused by vasospasm;
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. A neurological disease caused by constant compression of the median nerve by the bones and tendons of the wrist. It occurs in people whose work involves monotonous flexion and extension of the hand joint. Manifested by tingling and pain. Weakness in wrist flexion caused by numbness of the limb leads to loss of full working capacity;
• Diabetes mellitus. A complication of this disease is damage to small blood vessels, which leads to nerve fiber pathology. Sensation is lost more often in the lower extremities. It manifests itself as a feeling of tightening and burning of the skin. Very difficult to treat. To prevent gangrene, amputation of dead tissue is performed;
• Atherosclerosis and thrombophlebitis. Both diseases are associated with circulatory problems. Oxygen starvation of blood vessels causes paresthesia of the lower extremities. With thrombophlebitis, it is manifested by a burning sensation in the affected area. Atherosclerosis is characterized by numbness and weakness of the limbs, a constant feeling of cold in the legs;
• Intervertebral disc herniation. Degeneration of the lumbar vertebrae leads to pinching of the sciatic nerve, which provokes numbness of the leg along the nerve. It can be felt in the thigh and lower leg area, often reaching the toes and covering them with a constant thin chill. The clinical manifestation of a herniated cervical vertebrae is frequent numbness of the limbs during sleep. Treatment of the underlying disease does not guarantee complete restoration of sensation in the hands and feet;
• Neuritis. Inflammatory disease of peripheral nerves - radial, ulnar or sciatic, caused by intoxication, infectious diseases or injuries. Impaired conduction of the damaged nerve causes numbness. Long-term treatment of the cause involves special gymnastics and procedures aimed at eliminating symptoms.

Numbness of the extremities can be caused by various injuries. Bone fractures or deep soft tissue injuries, which are often accompanied by damage to blood vessels, muscle and nerve fibers. After complete healing of the wound, it is necessary to carry out rehabilitation procedures to restore sensitivity. Success will depend on their regularity and the extent of the damage.

Diagnosis and treatment

The appearance of numbness, which is accompanied by impaired movement and a decrease in the threshold of pain and temperature sensitivity, must be urgently diagnosed. It may be a symptom of a serious disease that requires immediate localization and treatment. You cannot self-medicate; you must urgently seek advice from a neurologist. Visual examination, patient complaints, extensive laboratory tests and magnetic tomography can be the basis for determining the exact cause of numbness.

Treatment of numbness of the extremities is always aimed at treating the cause. Each disease has its own treatment method. To reduce the feeling of numbness, you need to stop smoking, as nicotine provokes vasospasm. Carrying out manual procedures and therapeutic exercises will help restore sensitivity.

Numbness in a person's limbs can be a sign of a serious illness. However, on the other hand, paresthesia of the legs and arms does not always indicate some terrible diagnoses. Today we will figure out in which situations you should not worry, and in which you should immediately seek help from a specialist in order to get rid of such unpleasant symptoms and, of course, cure the disease itself.

When should you not worry?

Such unpleasant sensations as tingling in the legs, burning and “pins and needles” in the limbs are called paresthesia in medicine. Often, such symptoms occur as a result of short-term compression of the nerves due to an uncomfortable posture. In this case, paresthesia is most often one-sided, that is, numbness and tingling occurs in the right arm or, for example, the left leg.

For example, a person sits for a long time with his lower limbs bent, or sleeps in an uncomfortable position. As a result, the legs begin to tingle and “goosebumps” appear. Another case: in a crowded transport, a person is forced to hold on to the handrail for a long time with his right or left hand. As a result, numbness of the upper limbs occurs. In this case, numbness and tingling of the left hand, as well as the right, can be eliminated as follows: straighten the hand, change the position of the body and wait a little until the condition returns to normal.

That is, special treatment for paresthesia in this case is not required. But there are situations when such a symptom appears frequently and does not depend on the position of the limbs. Then consultation with a specialist is required. Based on the examination, the doctor prescribes additional research methods, and then adequate treatment.

Spinal problems

Numbness and tingling may indicate serious problems such as osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia.

In the first disease, the cause of paresthesia is growths on the vertebrae that appear as a result of degenerative changes. And these layers can compress the nerve endings, which leads to such consequences.

If a person has an intervertebral hernia, then the cause of discomfort is compression of the nerve. Most often, strangulation occurs on one side, for example, on the left, which is why numbness and tingling of the left hand is observed.

Hemodynamic disturbance

Paresthesia may be one of the first signs of a stroke or vascular problems. These unhealthy conditions are caused mostly by hypertension or atherosclerosis. Tingling in the hands and numbness in the limbs can also be caused by stress or mental stress. In any case, if a person regularly observes such negative manifestations in himself, he should immediately go to the doctor, since the causes of such ailment may be too serious.

Factors of leg numbness

The etiology of paresthesia of the lower extremities of a person can be both diseases of the body and an incorrect lifestyle.

Most often, tingling and numbness in the legs occurs with the following health problems:

Lack of nutrients and vitamins

A very common cause of paresthesia of the limbs is a deficiency of certain substances that are very important for the normal functioning of the body. A lack of vitamin B12, which is responsible for the metabolic processes of the nervous system, can lead to impaired sensitivity of the lower extremities.

Treatment in this case is simple: you need to compensate for the lack of this element and in the future monitor the required content of it in the body.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women often experience tingling and numbness in their legs. However, you should not be scared and look for possible diseases accompanied by such a symptom. This is a normal phenomenon, which is associated with changes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman: excess fluid occurs, as a result of which the limbs may swell. In addition, the heart also works for the baby, blood volume increases, which leads to hemodynamic disturbances. in this case, feels tingling and numbness in the legs at night or after sleep. In such cases, no treatment is required, because everything will go away after childbirth.

Treatment of paresthesia of the lower extremities

Once the cause of the numbness has been identified and an accurate diagnosis has been made, the patient should follow all the doctor’s recommendations. In addition, there is a whole range of measures that relieve leg fatigue, tension in the spine, and eliminate numbness of the limbs. You should remember or even write down these simple techniques that will help overcome paresthesia:

1. Playing sports. Cycling, swimming, regular walking and other types of similar exercise will help get rid of numbness and tingling in the legs and arms, as well as develop the spine.

2. A healthy lifestyle, which includes quitting smoking and alcohol. If a person drinks alcohol or smokes, a spasm of blood vessels occurs in the body. As a result, tingling and numbness in the legs and arms, cramps and other undesirable symptoms appear.

3. Proper nutrition. The main component of the diet should be warm porridge - oatmeal, buckwheat, pearl barley. Also don't forget about fresh vegetables and fruits.

4. Hypothermia of the body should not be allowed during the cold season.

5. Contrast baths. Daily treatments with hot and cold water will ease the physical condition of your feet. To do this, you need to alternately lower your limbs for half a minute in a container with the heated liquid as much as possible, and then with an ice-cold liquid. The procedure should be carried out in the morning and evening, and after such a bath you should lubricate your feet with turpentine ointment and put on warm socks so as not to get sick.

Now you know that the causes of such unpleasant sensations as tingling and numbness in the legs and arms can be very different. And such symptoms should not always be considered as a sign of some terrible illness. After all, often an incorrect posture can be the reason for the appearance of “goosebumps”, and then no treatment is required. However, if tingling and numbness occurs frequently, then a person needs to see a doctor to find out the cause of such symptoms and overcome the disease in time.

Numbness in the legs is an unpleasant sensation associated with loss of sensitivity and flexibility of the lower extremities. This feeling of numbness in the limbs is often accompanied by tingling, burning and a feeling of cold. Numbness in the legs occurs when there is a disturbance in the transmission of impulses from the nerve receptor to the brain. Faced with such a problem, people often ask themselves the question: “Do I need professional medical help?”

Mandatory consultation is required in the following cases:

• Symptoms of numbness in the legs often occur for no apparent reason.
• Numbness of the extremities of the legs is accompanied by impaired coordination of movement.
• Numbness and pain in the extremities makes physical activity difficult.
• Sensitivity to various temperature conditions is significantly reduced. A person ceases to distinguish between cold and warm.
• Simultaneously with numbness in the legs, a person begins to feel weak and dizzy.

The main reasons for the development of numbness in the legs

Numbness in the legs, the treatment of which requires a professional approach, can be caused by a variety of reasons:

Why does this happen - my legs go numb?

Sensitivity of the lower extremities is provided based on the presence of certain factors. So, if you feel numbness in your right or left leg, then most likely the tissues have stopped receiving the necessary amount of nutrients and oxygen. Blood circulation is impaired and tingling develops. The numbness of the left leg, like the right one, is associated with compression of the vessel, which leads to impaired blood flow. That is, numbness in the left or right leg leads to the person beginning to have difficulty moving. After the cessation of exposure, the unpleasant sensation passes and the person returns to normal activity.

There are substances that are very important for the normal functioning of the body. So, if a person lacks vitamin B12, then there is numbness in the right leg or left. When the deficiency of this vitamin is replenished, this symptom disappears.

Often, a feeling of numbness in the legs above the knee is a problem with the nervous system. Nerve damage can be due to infection, metabolic disorders and many other factors.

A large number of nerves pass along the trunk of the spine; if they are pinched, numbness of the legs develops, the causes of which are identified using modern diagnostic methods. What to do if there is numbness in the lower extremities? Of course, you need to seek help from a doctor.

Numbness of the right and left legs - how to deal with it?

Numbness of the left leg, as well as the right, is a fairly common occurrence. With the help of certain preventive measures you can prevent this condition:

Features of diagnosing numbness in the legs

It is advisable to try to eliminate the pathology in the shortest possible time. This is due to the fact that many diseases associated with blood vessels, the spine and the nervous system progress rapidly. If you do not go to the clinic in time, you may encounter problems such as thrombosis and others.


Diagnosis of problems associated with numbness of the legs, the causes of which are different, is carried out based on the use of modern techniques:

• X-ray of the spinal column.
• Magnetic resonance and computed tomography.
• Electromyography.
• Computer.
• Ultrasound.

How is numbness of the lower extremities treated?

You feel numbness in your legs during sleep or during the day; this phenomenon appears periodically. Then you should definitely consult a doctor. Numbness of the extremities, the causes and treatment of which do not require delay, requires the development of an individual treatment program. The symptoms of the disease, the anatomical features of the person, and his lifestyle are taken into account. Heaviness and numbness in the legs can be treated with a variety of methods depending on the cause of the disease.

There is a group of procedures that help alleviate the patient’s condition when experiencing numbness in the limbs:

• Drug therapy.
• Therapeutic massage and gymnastics.
• Manual therapy, exercise therapy.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.

Treatment of numbness of the lower extremities by qualified specialists of our clinic

With complaints about such a common symptom as numbness in the legs, you can walk through numerous offices for a long time without receiving an answer. Our clinic takes a comprehensive approach to the problem of numbness in the legs, the causes of which are not always obvious. In most cases, numbness of the lower extremities develops due to osteochondrosis and circulatory disorders. Most often clients contact us with the following complaints:

• Numbness of the toes, the causes of which vary, gradually disappears.
• An attack of severe back pain, accompanied by numbness in the left leg or right from the knee to the foot.
• Numbness of the toes with a feeling of coldness and heaviness in the extremities.
• Numbness of the feet.