Body Numbness

Body numbness sensation can be due to sitting in a position for long, which is pretty common, and fades away after some time. However, numbness with other sensations can be a symptom pointing to a serious health condition. Though it can occur in any part of the body, it is commonly more experienced in body areas like hands, fingers, arms and legs.

Listed below are some of the possible causes behind this condition.

• Sitting or standing in a position for prolonged time.
• Injury to a certain nerve can cause numbness in the body part of that nerve, or other parts connected with that nerve channel.

• Shingles (herpes zoster) infection is another reason which can lead to numbness. An early symptom of this condition is that you might experience skin burning or itching sensation. Other symptoms include rash, blisters, pain and flu-like symptoms.

• Pressure on the spinal nerves in condition like herniated disk. In this condition you will have pain in either in the neck or back region, where the slipped disk is.
• Pressure on the peripheral nerve which forms due to enlarged blood vessels, infection or tumors.
• No blood supply to a certain body area, can also cause body numbness in the certain body part.

• Numbness at night or during sleep sensation gets worse in people having the peripheral neuropathy condition. Other symptoms experienced when affected by this condition are pain, burning or tingling sensation, muscle weakness and sensitivity to touch.

• Medical condition of carpal tunnel syndrome where a person gets a pressure on a nerve at the wrist, is a common experienced condition of numbness during pregnancy.

• Other medical conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, under active thyroid also leads to tingling and numbness. Symptoms of diabetes include blurry vision, fatigue, frequent urination and weight loss.

Some early symptoms of an under active thyroid are constipation, feeling tired, joint and muscle pain, weakness and weight gain. In multiple sclerosis, the symptoms vary depending upon the severity and location of the attack.

• Lack of vitamin B12 in body is also another cause. Other symptoms experienced with numbness when suffering from B12 deficiency are fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, diarrhea or constipation and bleeding gums.
• Certain medications or radiation therapy can also lead to this condition.

• Experiencing right side or left side of numbness in the body can be a stroke symptom.
• Nerve damage due to consumption of lead, tobacco or alcohol can also lead to this condition.

The causes associated with this condition are many, however to detect the exact reason behind it, the medical practitioner will ask you many questions related to your medical history. Many tests and exams might also be recommended, to determine the exact cause.

It is important that you get yourself diagnosed for the body numbness sensation as it can be a symptom of a mini stroke.

After the diagnosis, the doctor will recommend the treatment which is for the whole body numbness or for a specific body part.

If you are experiencing numbness due to deficiency of a certain vitamin, then the doctor will prescribe the vitamin supplements. People who are experiencing numbness due diabetes, need to control their sugar level. Certain medications which cause the tingling and numbing sensation, should be discontinued.

Remember the following situations where you need to seek medical help.

• Seek emergency help if you are experiencing paralysis or weakness with the numbness
• Seek emergency medical help if you have numbness in body after a head, neck or a back injury

• Contact the doctor if you have a skin rash
• Contact your doctor if you have body numbness, without any obvious cause
• Contact the doctor if your symptoms are in body areas like forearm, neck or fingers

• Seek medical care if you are urinating more than often
• Seek medical help if your symptoms worsen

These were some of the possible causes related to this condition. If you are experiencing body numbness, associated with the above mentioned situations, then contact your doctor. The doctor might send you to a specialist.

Once the diagnosis is done, the specialist/doctor will recommend you treatment, ensure you follow the treatment thoroughly to get relief from the condition.