Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but are often felt in your hands, feet, arms, or legs.
Alternative Names:
Sensory loss; Paresthesias; Tingling and numbness; Loss of sensation
Common Causes:
There are many possible causes:
Remaining in the same seated or standing position for a long time.
Injuring a nerve supplying the body part where you feel the sensation. If you have a neck injury, for example, you may feel the sensation anywhere along your arm or hand. Similarly, a low back injury can cause sciatica -- a sensation of numbness or tingling down the back of your leg.
Lack of blood supply to the area. For example, plaque buildup from atherosclerosis in the legs can cause pain, numbness, and tingling while walking. (This is called claudication.)
Pressure on the spinal nerves, as from a herniated disk.
Carpal tunnel syndrome. This can cause numbness or tingling in your wrist, fingers, hand, or forearm.
Toxic action on nerves, such as that from lead, alcohol, or tobacco.
Radiation therapy.
References:
Viera AJ. Management of carpal tunnel syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 68(2): 265-272.
Smeal WL, Tyburski M, Alleva J, Prather H, Hunt D. Conservative management of low back pain, part I. Discogenic/radicular pain. Dis Mon. 2004; 50(12): 636-669.
Review Date: 7/28/2005
Reviewed By: Kevin Sheth, M.D., Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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