What causes numbness in the limbs?

I believe we have all experienced the feeling of numbness in our limbs. Numbness in the limbs is a symptom that often occurs in our daily life. There are many reasons for numbness in the limbs. Pregnancy, incorrect sleeping posture or squatting on the toilet for too long may all trigger it. In addition to these, it may also be due to certain problems in the body. Numbness in the hands and feet is a signal that something is wrong with your body, because numbness in the hands and feet may be a signal of damage to the limb motor nerves. Stroke, diabetes, rheumatism, etc. may also cause numbness in the hands and feet. Therefore, we need to determine whether the cause of numbness in our hands and feet is physiological or pathological. Today, the editor will summarize what are the causes of numbness in the limbs?

1. Physiological numbness in hands and feet

Numbness is caused by poor peripheral blood circulation. Numbness occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the hands and feet. Numbness in the hands and feet is a symptom that people often experience in their daily lives. It can be caused by pregnancy, incorrect sleeping posture, and squatting on the toilet for a long time.

If this happens, you can cross your hands together or clench your fists and relax them and do it a few more times. If your feet are numb, tighten your feet and then relax them. Repeat several times. This will help relieve the numbness. This type of numbness in the hands and feet generally has mild symptoms and usually resolves within a short period of time, so it is generally not a big problem. If numbness in the hands and feet persists for a long time and is accompanied by other symptoms, it may be a sign of other illness and you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Pathological numbness of hands and feet

Apart from numbness in the hands and feet caused by physiological reasons, some people's numbness in the hands and feet cannot be relieved for a long time (more than a day), in which case they must see a doctor. Regardless of the cause of numbness in the hands and feet, you should first seek medical attention from a neurologist or orthopedic surgeon. The causes of numbness in the hands and feet are generally as follows:

1. Diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is mainly caused by high blood sugar damaging blood vessels and nerves. Cold, numb, and tight hands and feet, as if they were tied up with a sleeve or sock, or like "ants crawling", are early symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In severe cases, movement disorders such as foot pain when walking, lameness, and unsteady walking may also occur.

The pain gets worse especially when I sleep at night, like a saw sawing my legs, it hurts so much that I can be awakened by the leg pain suddenly even when I am sleeping well, and then I can't sleep all night. Therefore, when numbness and swelling in the limbs occur, it is necessary for patients, especially the elderly, to check their blood sugar levels in time.

2. Transient ischemic attack. If numbness of the hands and feet occurs on one side while the other side is normal, it may be caused by transient ischemic attack (TIA), which can easily develop into cerebral infarction. Therefore, middle-aged and elderly people with three highs or carotid artery sclerosis and plaque formation should pay special attention to this kind of numbness of the hands and feet.

Limb numbness caused by TIA or cerebral infarction is usually acute and may be accompanied by symptoms such as speech disorders and hemi-limb movement disorders. This type of numbness should be treated immediately.