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- Dictionarynumbness/ˈnʌmnəs/
noun
- 1. the state of being numb: "tingling and numbness in the left arm"
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What does numbness mean?
How does numbness affect your body?
What is the difference between numbness and weakness?
Is numbness a sign of a nerve problem?
What causes numbness?
Is numbness serious?
Numbness is the lack of physical or emotional feeling. Learn more about the word, its synonyms, related words, and how to use it in sentences from the Cambridge English Corpus.
- English (US)
NUMBNESS meaning: 1. lack of physical or emotional feeling...
- Definition
(of a part of the body) unable to feel anything: My fingers...
- English (US)
Numb is an adjective that means unable to feel anything in a particular part of your body or unable to think, feel, or react normally. Numb is also a verb that means to make or become numb. See synonyms, examples, word history, and medical definition of numb.
May 4, 2023 · Numbness is a loss of feeling in a part of the body, often caused by nerve damage or reduced blood flow. Learn about the possible causes, symptoms and treatments of numbness from Mayo Clinic experts.
- Overview
- Possible Causes
- Care and Treatment
- When to Call the Doctor
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Numbness is a complete or partial loss of feeling or sensation in any area of your body. Most cases of numbness aren’t serious, but severe cases can lead to complications such as not being able to feel pain. If you’re experiencing any numbness that doesn’t have an obvious cause, see your healthcare provider.
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OverviewPossible CausesCare and TreatmentWhen to Call the Doctor
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What are the most common causes of numbness?
Numbness has many possible causes. A problem with one or more nerves usually causes the symptom. When a nerve is damaged, it interferes with your body’s ability to feel normal sensations. Some cases of numbness involve abnormal pressure on the nerves in and around your spine. Conditions that may cause this numbness include: Collapsed backbone due to osteoporosis. Peripheral neuropathy. Nerve compression syndromes. Neuropathic pain. Ruptured or herniated disk. Pinched nerve due to arthritis or bone spurs. Injury to your spinal cord, brain or nerves. Other medical conditions that may cause numbness include: Carpal tunnel syndrome. Diabetes. Infections such as shingles, HIV or Lyme disease. Kidney disease. Multiple sclerosis (MS). Stroke. Arthritis. Tumor. Spread of cancer to your spine. Migraines. Seizures. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Raynaud’s syndrome. Other conditions that may cause numbness include: Standing or sitting in the same position for a long time. Medications or drug use. Vitamin B deficiency. Animal and insect bites. Exposure to poisons or toxins. Lack of blood supply. Abnormal levels of potassium, calcium or sodium in your body. Nerve damage due to alcohol or tobacco use. Chemotherapy drugs. Radiation therapy.
How is numbness diagnosed?
Healthcare providers diagnose numbness based on your symptoms, medical history and a physical exam (testing touch, temperature, reflexes and muscle function). Your provider will ask you about the affected body part(s) and ask you to describe the numbness. Other questions will include: When the numbness started. How quickly the numbness began. The events or activities you were engaged in around the time the numbness began. If you have any other symptoms. Answers to these questions can help your provider determine the cause of the numbness.
How is numbness treated?
Treatment for numbness varies according to the cause. The goal of treatment is to correct the condition causing the numbness. Your healthcare provider will determine the best treatment for you based on the underlying condition and the nerves involved. Some common treatments for numbness include: Nerve pain medications. Regulating blood sugar in people with diabetes. Vitamin supplements to treat vitamin deficiencies. Physical therapy exercises to strengthen your spine or help ease movement. Surgery to remove a tumor or repair a problem in your spine. Care at Cleveland Clinic Find a Primary Care Provider Schedule an Appointment
When should I call my healthcare provider?
Because the causes of numbness vary greatly, some cases require more urgent medical care than others. Seek emergency medical attention if you have numbness along with: Confusion. Inability to control bladder or bowel movements. Loss of consciousness. Difficulty breathing. Loss of sensation in your face or trunk of your body. Paralysis. Speech or vision changes. Rapid or sudden weakness. Also, seek emergency care if numbness: Comes on suddenly. Occurs in your “saddle area” (thighs, buttocks and genitals). Affects an entire arm, an entire leg or one entire side of your body. Occurs below a certain level in your body (for example, below your chest). Spreads quickly to other areas of your body. Most cases of numbness are less urgent, but a healthcare provider should still assess them. Contact your provider if numbness: Doesn’t have an obvious cause. Occurs during repeated activities/motions. Causes loss of strength or muscle control over time. Is accompanied by a rash. A note from Cleveland Clinic Numbness means you have a complete or partial loss of feeling or sensation in any area of your body. It has many possible causes but most often concerns your nerves. Most cases of numbness aren’t serious, but severe cases can lead to complications related to not feeling pain or being unaware of what’s happening to parts of your body. If you’re experiencing any numbness that doesn’t have a clear cause, see your healthcare provider. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/21/2023. Learn more about our editorial process.
Numbness is a loss of feeling or sensation in any area of your body. It can be caused by many different medical conditions, such as nerve damage, diabetes, infections, tumors and more. Learn how to diagnose and treat numbness and when to seek emergency care.
Apr 26, 2023 · Paresthesia is the feeling of tingling, numbness or “pins and needles.” Everyone experiences this feeling at some point in their lives. It’s most often a harmless sign that a limb is “asleep” and you need to shift position or move around.
Numb means unable to feel anything, usually for a short time, or not able to feel emotions or to think clearly. Learn how to use numb as an adjective or a verb, and see synonyms and related words.
Numbness is a lack of feeling in a part of your body or a state of being unable to feel, think or react normally. Learn how to pronounce, use and translate numbness with Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
