What’s going on when my hands and feet feel numb?

Many people have experienced numbness in their hands or feet in their daily lives. This numbness may be just a temporary discomfort, or it may be a sign of some underlying health problems.

1. Common causes of numbness in hands and feet

1. Prolonged compression: Maintaining a posture for a long time, such as sitting, standing or squatting for a long time, may cause compression of the blood vessels in the hands and feet, poor blood circulation, and numbness.

2. Improper posture: Incorrect sitting or standing posture may cause pressure on the cervical spine, lumbar spine and other parts, which in turn affects nerve conduction and causes numbness in the hands and feet.

3. Cold: In a cold environment, hands and feet are easily caught in cold, blood circulation slows down, and numbness may occur.

4. Nerve damage: Certain diseases or injuries may cause nerve damage, such as diabetes, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, etc. These diseases may affect nerve conduction and cause numbness of hands and feet.

5. Electrolyte imbalance: If the balance of electrolytes such as potassium ions, sodium ions, and calcium ions in the body is disrupted, it may also cause numbness of hands and feet.

6. Side effects of drugs: Certain drugs such as antibiotics, diuretics, etc. may affect nerve conduction and cause numbness of hands and feet.

2. How to distinguish physiological numbness from pathological numbness

Physiological numbness is usually caused by long-term compression, improper posture, cold, etc. This numbness will gradually disappear after changing posture, moving the body or keeping warm. Pathological numbness may be caused by disease or trauma. This numbness may persist and even be accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain and weakness in the limbs.

3. How to deal with numbness in hands and feet

1. Adjust your posture: avoid maintaining one posture for a long time and move your hands and feet regularly to relieve numbness.

2. Keep warm: In a cold environment, pay attention to keeping your hands and feet warm to avoid catching cold.

3. Observe symptoms: If the numbness persists and is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, weakness in the limbs, etc., you should seek medical attention in time so that the doctor can diagnose and treat you.

4. Common diseases and treatments of pathological numbness

1. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes. High blood sugar can damage nerve fibers, causing numbness, pain, or abnormal sensation in the hands and feet. Treatments include:

Control blood sugar: Keeping blood sugar within a normal range reduces the risk of nerve damage.

Improve blood circulation: Improving blood circulation through exercise, dietary changes, and medications (such as vasodilators) can help nerves recover.

Neurotrophic therapy: Use of vitamins B12, B6 and other medications to nourish and repair damaged nerves.

2. Cervical spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis refers to a series of symptoms and signs caused by degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral disc, cervical bones, cervical ligaments and surrounding muscles, which compress the nerve roots or spinal cord. Cervical spondylosis may cause numbness, pain or weakness in the upper limbs. Treatments include:

Cervical traction: Through physical traction, the pressure of the cervical spine on the nerve roots is reduced.

Drug treatment: Use anti-inflammatory analgesics, muscle relaxants, etc. to relieve pain and muscle tension.

Physical therapy: such as acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, etc., to promote local blood circulation and relieve symptoms.

Surgery: In severe cases, such as severe cervical disc herniation or cervical fracture, surgery may be required.

3. Lumbar spondylosis. Lumbar spondylosis is also one of the common causes of numbness in the hands and feet, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, etc. Treatment methods include:

Drug treatment: Use anti-inflammatory analgesics, neurotrophic drugs, etc. to relieve pain and nourish damaged nerves.

Physical therapy: such as hot compress, massage, acupuncture, etc., to improve local blood circulation and promote recovery of nerve function.

Surgical treatment: In severe cases, such as lumbar disc herniation that severely compresses the nerve roots or lumbar spinal stenosis that affects walking, surgical treatment may be required.

5. Measures to prevent numbness in hands and feet

1. Maintain good living habits: maintain a regular schedule and adequate sleep, and avoid overwork.

2. Balanced diet: Maintaining a balanced diet and taking in adequate nutrition, especially B vitamins, vitamin C, etc., will help maintain the health of the nervous system.

3. Moderate exercise: Appropriate exercise, such as walking, swimming, yoga, etc., can help improve blood circulation and prevent numbness in hands and feet.

4. Control chronic diseases: Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension should actively seek treatment and control the progression of the disease to reduce the risk of numbness in hands and feet.

In short, numbness in hands and feet may be temporary discomfort caused by physiological reasons, or it may be a potential health problem caused by pathological reasons. We should pay attention to our physical condition, adjust our living habits in time, and prevent the occurrence of diseases. If persistent numbness in hands and feet occurs, you should seek medical attention in time to get professional diagnosis and treatment. Through a scientific lifestyle and effective medical measures, you can protect your health and enjoy a better life.

Author: Ao Xiao, Department of Neurology, Hechi People's Hospital