Numbness and tingling, also called as Paresthesia, are the abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or legs. Numbness and tingling can be acute or chronic. In common terms, according to the symptoms, Numbness and tingling are referred to as “falling asleep” of the limb or “pins and needles”. There are three main types of Numbness and tingling. They are: Transient (that causes the pins and needle sensation), chronic and Acroparasthesia.
Causes
The causes of Numbness and tingling are:
• Multiple sclerosis
• Radiation
• Shingles
• Migraines
• Poor posture
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Poor blood supply
• Heavy metal poisoning
• Bone disease
• Herniated disks
• Sitting or standing in the same position
• Vitamin (B12) deficiency
• Alcohol, tobacco or animal bites/insect venoms
• Drugs
• Immunodeficiency
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
Symptoms
• Numbness or tingling with no medical problems
• Increased frequency of urination
• Numbness or tingling in legs while walking
• Dizziness
• Muscle spasms
• Confusion
• Changes in vision and speech
• Pain in the finger, neck or forearm
Diagnosis
• Complete blood count
• CSF analysis
• Serum Electrolyte level
• Thyroid function tests
• Heavy metal or drug toxicology screening
• EMG
• Vitamin levels estimation (B12, folic acid, etc.)
• CT and/or MRI of the head
• Vascular doppler
• Cold stimulation test or Raynaud’s Phenomena test
• Angiogram, if needed
Treatment Options
The medications for numbness and tingling are immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids; antiviral drugs are prescribed if the cause of numbness and tingling is shingles, gamma globulin or anti-convulsant drugs. If the underlying pathology is vitamin deficiency, vitamins and nutritional supplements are to be prescribed.
Prognosis
Most of the patients with numbness and tingling will get cured by medications. If the underlying causes are multiple sclerosis, herpes-zoster infections or shingles, medical intervention is needed and the prognosis is good. Usually the prognosis of numbness and tingling is good in all the ages.
Prevention
No preventive measures are needed and numbness and tingling can be treated according to the symptoms.
When to see a doctor
If you feel general or localized weakness or if you are unable to move your body or if you cannot control the movements of an arm or a leg or if you experience faecal or urinary incontinence or if you feel a state of confusion, delirium or difficulty in speech, vision changes or difficult in walking, it may be a medical emergency. You need to rush to the hospital immediately.
0 comments:
Post a Comment