Sometimes when we sit in the same position for a while, our hands or feet start to tingle, right? It goes away after a while. But sometimes, if this tingling sensation persists, or if it occurs frequently, it could be a sign that our body is trying to tell us something. So today, let's talk about this tingling sensation, or as it is medically called, numbness.
What is this numbness?
Simply put, numbness is the loss of feeling in a part of your body. This can be a complete loss of feeling (numbness) or a reduced feeling (partial numbness). This condition most commonly affects areas like the hands, fingers, feet, and legs, but it can actually occur anywhere in the body.
Tingling is usually a signal that there is a problem with our nervous system . Think about it, information is carried to the brain from all parts of our body through nerves. If there is any damage or irritation to these nerves, the information flow is interrupted. That is when we feel a tingling sensation.
The tingling sensation can sometimes be accompanied by a pins-and-needles feeling or a feeling of weakness.
Most of the time this is not serious. However, in some cases it can be dangerous. Imagine, if you have no feeling in your hand, you will not feel it even if you touch something hot. Then your hand could burn. Also, if you have no feeling in your feet, you may lose your balance while walking and fall.
What are the main causes of tingling?
There are many reasons why you might experience tingling. Let's break them down into a few main categories. This way, it will be much easier for you to understand.
| Reason category | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Pressure on the spine and nerves | Herniated disc, pinched nerve, arthritis, injuries to the spine, brain, or nerves. |
| Other medical conditions |
|
| Lifestyle and other factors |
|
How can the doctor find the cause of this?
When you go to see a doctor about a condition, the first thing he or she will do is ask you some questions.
- When did this tingling start?
- Did it come on suddenly? Or did it increase gradually?
- What were you doing before this happened?
- Are there other symptoms (e.g., itching, pain, weakness) along with the tingling sensation?
Your answers to these questions will give your doctor a good idea of what the cause might be. Your body will then be examined. Your sense of touch, temperature, reflexes, and muscle strength will be checked.
Tests to find the exact cause
Sometimes, several tests need to be done to find out the exact cause.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests are done to check for things like diabetes, kidney problems, and vitamin deficiencies. For example, a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Electrolyte Panel, and vitamin levels can be done.
- Imaging Tests: You may be asked to have an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan to see if there is a problem with your brain or spine (such as a herniated disc or tumor).
- Tests that measure nerve function:
- Nerve Conduction Studies:This involves measuring the speed at which electrical signals travel through a nerve. If the speed is slow, it means that the nerve has been damaged.
- Electromyography (EMG): This involves inserting a small needle into a muscle and measuring its electrical activity. This can help determine if there is damage to the nerves and muscles.
- Spinal Tap / Lumbar Puncture: This test can be performed if there is suspicion of central nervous system disease.
What are the treatments for tinnitus?
The treatment for this depends entirely on the underlying cause of the tingling sensation. The goal of treatment is to correct the underlying cause.
- If due to diabetes, control blood sugar levels well .
- If there is a vitamin deficiency, give vitamin supplements .
- Providing specific medications for nerve pain.
- Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the spine or improve movement.
- Surgery may also be needed to remove a tumor or correct a spinal problem.
When to see a doctor immediately!
Numbness can sometimes be a sign of a serious condition that requires emergency medical attention, so be especially careful about this.
| When to seek medical advice | |
|---|---|
| You should go to the Emergency Department (ETU) if you have dizziness along with these symptoms: | |
| |
| Seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of these symptoms: | |
| |
| You should usually see a doctor in the following situations: | |
|
Take-Home Message
- Tingling in the extremities can be a sign of a nerve problem. Don't ignore it.
- The cause could be something simple (like staying in the same position) or it could be a serious condition like diabetes or stroke.
- If you experience symptoms such as difficulty speaking, numbness on one side of your body, or loss of consciousness along with numbness, it is an emergency. Go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If you have persistent itching for no reason, don't ignore it and talk to your doctor to find the exact cause.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Numbness / Paresthesia?
Paresthesia is a condition where our arm or leg suddenly becomes numb/heavy, we don't feel anything when we touch it (Loss of sensation), and we experience a strange pain/burning sensation like 'pins and needles/tingling'. This usually occurs after we have been putting weight on the leg for hours, so it's not a problem. But if numbness suddenly occurs, it means that a 'sudden nerve has been injured, cut, or pinched' from the brain!
💬 What are the main causes of severe numbness in the limbs?
There are several main causes for this: 1) Diabetes (Diabetic Neuropathy / When blood sugar levels rise, nerves become damaged and severe numbness occurs in the legs). 2) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is a condition in which the median nerve near the wrist is compressed, causing numbness in the fingers. 3) Sciatica / Herniated disc, which is a condition in which the nerves in the legs are compressed. 4) Vitamin B12 deficiency.
💬 What are the 'red flags' that require immediate rushing to a hospital emergency department when numbness occurs?
The biggest and deadliest danger! If your symptoms come on, 1) Suddenly, 'unilateral weakness/numbness' of the face/arm/leg is completely numb and words are slurred (slurred speech), it is definitely a brain blood vessel bursting and a 'stroke' is occurring (you can die in two hours)! 2) If both legs are numb and you cannot control your bowel/bladder (bowel/bladder incontinence), it could be a fracture of the spinal cord (Cauda Equina Syndrome)!
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