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Is numbness serious?
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What causes numbness?
What does numbness mean?
What is numbness and tingling?
The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include: numbness and tingling in the feet or hands. burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas. loss of balance and co-ordination. muscle weakness, especially in the feet. These symptoms are usually constant, but may come and go.
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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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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.
Overview. Symptoms. Causes. Diagnosis. Treatment. Complications. Symptoms vary according to the type of peripheral neuropathy and may develop quickly or slowly. The main types of peripheral neuropathy include: sensory neuropathy – damage to the nerves that carry messages of touch, temperature, pain and other sensations to the brain.
Pins and needles feels like a pricking, tingling or numbness sensation. It happens when the blood supply to the nerves is cut off. This is usually when you sit or sleep on part of your body. It only lasts a few minutes. You often get pins and needles in your: arms; hands; legs; feet
Apr 18, 2023 · Numbness and tingling are sensations that can affect any part of your body. Discover over 25 causes, including bites and diabetes. Also learn about diagnosis.
- Ann Pietrangelo
Peripheral neuropathy happens when the nerves that are located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) are damaged. This condition often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet. It also can affect other areas and body functions including digestion and urination.
Apr 26, 2023 · Paresthesia is the feeling of tingling, numbness or “pins and needles.” It’s a common sensation but can also be a symptom of minor and major medical conditions.
