Numbness is the loss of sensation or feeling in a specific area of the body. It might be either complete or incomplete. Although it can be a symptom of a range of health issues, it often indicates a nerve malfunction. The majority of occurrences of numbness are modest and do not have catastrophic consequences.
As per South Valley Neurology, numbness might equally affect both sides of the body or a solitary nerve on one side. Numbness is an odd sensation that can affect any region of the body but is typically experienced in the fingers, hands, feet, arms, and legs.
Numbness often affects nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in a lack of sensation in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
Reasons For Numbness
Several medications can cause numbness and tingling. Important causes of numbness include prolonged sitting or standing in one position, as well as falling asleep on your arm.
Among The Most Important Causes Of Numbness Are:
Backbone Collapse Due To Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes thinning, fragility, and weakness of the bones. The weaker bones may break during activity, resulting in a spinal fracture. These compression fractures can cause considerable discomfort and permanently alter the structure and strength of the spine.
Compressed Spinal Cord
Spinal cord compression is caused by a condition that exerts pressure on the spinal cord. The onset of symptoms such as tingling or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet may be gradual or rapid.
Or Ruptured Slipped Disc
A herniated disc is a type of spine damage. Your spine consists of a series of bones extending from the base of your head to the base of your tailbone. Intervertebral disks are spherical cushions located between the vertebrae. The discs act as shock absorbers between your bones, allowing you to bend and move without restriction.
When one of these discs rips or leaks, a herniated disc results. Herniated discs are sometimes referred to as ruptured or bulging discs. Herniated discs typically recover on their own with simple at-home treatment.
Compressed Nerve Caused By Arthritis
The most prevalent causes of pinched nerves are inflammatory joint swelling and rheumatoid vasculitis. Arthritis can cause nerve stress.
Therapies For Numbness
Continuously sitting in one posture places an excessive amount of strain on the nerves and inhibits blood flow to the legs and feet. Long-lasting or unexplained numbness may suggest the existence of a medical condition.
Multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and fibromyalgia can produce chronic tingling or numbness in the legs and feet.
Among the most commonly advised numbness treatment or therapies for numbness are the following:
Nerve Pain Treatments
In addition to standard analgesics, a variety of other drugs may be used to treat nerve pain. Nerve pain medications will not eliminate the pain, but they may lower its intensity.
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants were developed to stop nerve pain signals. This drug is typically used for three to four weeks. In the majority of situations, your physician will start with a low dose and gradually increase it.
Antidepressants
Certain antidepressants can also help treat nerve discomfort. Patients with depression and chronic pain may have a synergistic impact. Antidepressants can aid in the treatment of both chronic pain and depression.