Nerve Damage Symptoms: Why do hands and legs suddenly become numb? How to avoid becoming numb? And when does it become necessary to go to the doctor?
It is often heard that your hands have become numb as soon as you wake up in the morning, or your feet have started tingling after sitting at one place for a long time? After some time, as soon as you move your hands and legs, everything becomes normal. This happens to almost every person sometimes. In most cases, numbness in hands and feet is normal. But if it starts happening again and again, lasts for a long time or is accompanied by problems like weakness, problem in speaking, dizziness, then it should not be taken lightly.
Why do hands and legs become numb?
Nerves in our body transmit messages from the brain to the entire body. When there is pressure on a vein or the blood flow in it reduces for some time, a tingling or numbness starts being felt in that part. For example, if you sit with your legs crossed for a long time, the nerve in the leg may get compressed. As soon as you straighten your legs, the tingling goes away within a few seconds or minutes.
What are the main causes of numbness in hands and feet?
1. Sitting or sleeping in the same position for a long time
This is the most common reason. Sitting or sleeping in the same position puts pressure on the nerves.
2. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 helps keep nerves healthy. Due to its deficiency, tingling, numbness and weakness are felt in the hands and legs.
3. Diabetes
High sugar levels for a long time can cause damage to the nerves. This is called diabetic neuropathy.
4. Neck or spine problems
In problems like slip disc or cervical spondylitis, hands or feet become numb due to nerve compression.
5. Decreased blood flow
If sufficient blood is not reaching any part of the body, numbness may be felt there.
6. Stress and anxiety
Sometimes, a tingling sensation is felt in the hands and feet during excessive anxiety or panic attack.
When should one immediately go to the doctor?
If any of these symptoms appear along with numbness, doctors should be contacted immediately…
- sudden numbness in one side of the arm or leg
- trouble speaking
- face crooked
- difficulty walking
- severe dizziness
- numbness that lasts for several hours
Let us tell you, these can also be alarms of a serious disease like stroke.
How to avoid becoming numb?
- Get up and walk around every 30–40 minutes.
- Take a balanced diet, eat things rich in Vitamin B12.
- Keep blood sugar under control.
- Do regular exercise.
- Sit in correct posture.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Drink plenty of water.
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Know some things about nerves
- According to WHO, crores of people around the world are affected by some kind of neurological problem.
- About 50% of patients with diabetes may develop diabetic neuropathy over time, which can cause numbness and pain in the hands and feet.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in vegetarians and the elderly because this vitamin is mainly found in animal-based foods.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of hand numbness in people who work on computers for long periods of time.
- Sudden numbness of a part of the body is considered to be one of the most important early signs of stroke.
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