Numbness is a loss of sensation in any part of the body.
Numbness may be accompanied by a tingling sensation, goosebumps, burning, tightness of the skin, as well as a feeling of cold in the numb part of the body. The most common complaints are numbness of the extremities - hands (sometimes they talk about numbness of the fingers) or legs. We perceive numbness as a loss of signal: nerve impulses from the numb area do not reach the brain. In most cases, the cause is local in nature and consists of damage to peripheral nerves or a violation of local circulation, as a result of which the nerves are deprived of the necessary nutrition. However, sometimes numbness is a symptom of a central nervous system disorder.
Physiological causes of numbness
Numbness occurs with prolonged immobility. Whatever position we are in, some vessels become pinched, and we risk that the nerve endings, which do not receive proper nutrition, will lose sensitivity. Our body must move, changing the areas that have been subjected to compression, and then we will not be in danger of numbness. This usually happens during the day. But during deep sleep, we can lie in the same position for quite a long time without changing posture. And then, when we wake up, we notice that we have rested some part of our body, for example, a hand placed under our head.
Numbness is caused by exposure to cold. When in contact with cold air, the skin loses sensitivity. Local blood circulation is disrupted, and we cease to feel the nerve endings. If this situation lasts longer, frostbite is possible, but in most cases it is enough to rub the area of skin that has lost sensitivity or return to warmth, blood circulation will be restored and the numbness will go away.
If numbness occurs without an obvious connection with a specific situation, then it probably has a pathological cause.
What is the body saying?
Suddenly my fingers lost sensitivity. If this is a rare phenomenon and it disappears after 2 - 3 minutes, then there is nothing to fear. If such sensations bother you often, then this is a signal of a developing disease.
- Little finger. Paresthesia indicates chronic heart failure and other cardiac pathologies.
- Forefinger. Goes numb with diabetes, occupational stress, inflammation in the joints.
- Thumb. Metabolic processes in the spine are clearly disrupted. You may feel pain in the forearm and weakness in the arm muscles.
- Middle finger. Raynaud's disease, hernia, articular deformity, osteochondrosis of the 7th vertebra.
- Nameless. Numbness due to the fact that the nerve endings in the bend of the elbow are compressed.
Numbness as a symptom
Numbness can be caused by:
- pinched nerve. A pinched nerve can occur at the point where it exits the spinal canal ( radicular syndrome
).
Therefore, numbness is a typical symptom of osteochondrosis and other spinal diseases. The nerve can also be pinched in other areas. Pinching of a nerve in its natural canal (tunnel) is defined as tunnel syndrome
.
The most common is carpal tunnel syndrome
(a pinched nerve in the wrist).
In this case, the fingers go numb. Office work (using a keyboard and mouse) contributes to the development of the disease. Also quite common is ulnar nerve neuropathy
, the development of which is facilitated by the need for prolonged support with the elbow (typical of working at a computer).
Wearing a belt, pressing the thigh against the edge of the table, or inconvenient objects in pockets can lead to pinching of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh ( Roth disease
) - the most common foot tunnel syndrome; - injury. Trauma can disrupt the integrity of nerve fibers, resulting in loss of sensation in the area supplied by the damaged nerve;
problems of peripheral circulation. For example, the development of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities leads to disruption of the blood supply to the legs (primarily the feet). A lack of fresh blood flow manifests itself as pale skin, a local decrease in body temperature, and numbness. Numbness may also accompany a violation of the venous outflow of blood (chronic venous insufficiency);- anemia (decreased hemoglobin in the blood). The reasons may be problems with the intake or absorption of iron, vitamins (B12, folic acid);
- polyneuropathy - multiple lesions of peripheral nerves. Polyneuropathy can be a consequence of diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, poisoning, long-term use of certain medications, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders and other systemic pathologies;
- diseases of the central nervous system - such as brain tumors, cerebrovascular accidents, multiple sclerosis.
Does it make a difference on which hand the fingers go numb?
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system may be indicated by impaired sensitivity in the fingers of the left hand. It is dangerous to ignore this symptom: it is often one of the indicators of a pre-infarction condition or an impending stroke. The fingers of the right hand often go numb with the development of arthritis, osteochondrosis or carpal tunnel syndrome. This may also be due to an uncomfortable position of the torso during sleep.
In what cases should you consult a doctor if you have numbness?
If the numbness has a physiological cause, that is, caused by a temporary disruption of the local blood supply, then it is enough to change the position and rub the numb area, and sensitivity will be restored. If the numbness does not go away, then the cause is more serious and you should consult a doctor.
It is necessary to get emergency medical help if numbness is accompanied by symptoms of damage to the central nervous system:
- headache, dizziness, attacks of weakness, double vision, loss of coordination;
- unexpected bowel movements or sudden urination;
- speech problems.
These symptoms may occur after a head, neck, or back injury.
You should also consult a doctor if:
- numbness occurs periodically and without an obvious reason;
- thermal perception is impaired (for example, the ability to distinguish between warm and cold water is impaired);
- Numbness is preceded by pain and loss of range of motion in one of the joints.
Emergency
You need to pay attention to numbness in your hand, especially if it happens suddenly. This may be a signal of a dangerous illness - thrombosis, stroke or heart attack. There are signs that may indicate the likelihood of these diseases:
- The numbness is constantly increasing.
- The pain in the arm intensifies.
- Increases blood pressure.
- Speech is impaired.
- Facial asymmetry.
- Paralysis.
- Pain radiating to the jaw and back.
- Feeling of tightness in the chest.
- Dyspnea.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Which doctor should I contact for numbness?
Numbness is a neurological symptom, so if you complain of numbness, you should consult a neurologist.
You must be prepared for the fact that a medical examination is only the first stage in solving the problem. Further instrumental studies will be required: MRI (for radicular syndrome), electroneurography, ultrasound (shows a picture of blood flow in the area under study), EEG (performed if diseases of the central nervous system are suspected). There may also be a need for laboratory tests (complete blood count, blood test for hormones, test for vitamins, etc.). Treatment for numbness is aimed, first of all, at eliminating the cause that caused it, that is, the disease whose symptom is numbness is subject to treatment. In some cases this may require considerable time.
If you are concerned about numbness in your fingers, arms or legs in general, or any other area of the body, contact the nearest clinic of JSC “Family Doctor”. Our neurologists will determine the cause of the numbness and prescribe adequate treatment. Therapeutic activities may include physiotherapy, physical therapy, massage, reflexology, manual therapy - this entire range of services is provided in the Family Doctor JSC network. Surgical treatment is carried out in the company's high-tech Hospital Center.
Treatment
For each patient, treatment is developed individually based on diagnostic results and detected diseases. In most cases, they begin by prescribing conservative therapy appropriate to the situation. It may include medication, physical therapy and exercise therapy.
Drug treatment may include drugs from different groups. They are selected based on the causes of numbness in the fingers, but they must take into account concomitant diseases, age and other characteristics of the patient. Typically used:
- NSAIDs - prescribed during an exacerbation of neuropathy to reduce the intensity of pain and eliminate swelling of soft tissues;
- corticosteroids - indicated for severe inflammatory processes, as well as complex neuropathy;
- B vitamins - used to improve the transmission of bioelectric impulses along nerve trunks;
- antiplatelet agents - prescribed to reduce blood viscosity and improve blood circulation;
- calcium antagonists - used to increase the lumen of blood vessels, which is indicated for Raynaud's syndrome;
To increase the effectiveness of drug treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are often used. The most effective for neurological disorders are:
- electrophoresis;
- phonophoresis;
- laser therapy;
- UHF;
- electromyostimulation;
- applications with paraffin;
- ozocrete treatment;
- mud therapy.
To eliminate numbness, an individually developed complex of exercise therapy must be prescribed. It helps to develop the joints of the hands, activate blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. As a result, tissue trophism and innervation of the fingers improves. But exercise therapy should be done systematically, devoting the proper amount of time to gymnastics every day.
Diagnostics
Conducted individually, the search begins with excluding the most dangerous conditions. According to indications, the following studies may be prescribed:
- Electroneuromyography (ENMG of the upper extremities)
- duplex scanning of arteries and veins of the upper extremities
- X-ray of the cervical spine
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine, brain, joints
- blood chemistry;
A specific list of diagnostic procedures is determined by the attending physician based on clinical examination data. Sometimes a diagnostic search leads to the discovery of diseases that a person did not even suspect about.
