The idea of numbness is usually associated with stiffness in the feet, legs, arms, hands or fingers.
Numbness is the act and result of becoming numb or numb . This verb , for its part, has its etymological origin in the Latin word intumescĕre (which can be translated as "to swell" ) and refers to making the movement of a nerve or an extremity difficult or impossible .
The idea of numbness, in this way, refers to the stiffness experienced in a limb or another part of the body. This disorder may appear accompanied by more sensations that threaten the person's usual or normal mobility.
Causes of numbness
Numbness is caused by compression, irritation, or damage to certain nerves . The challenge for a doctor is to discover the reason for this nerve problem when the cause is not obvious.
A tumor, brain aneurysm, and spinal cord injury can cause numbness. Diabetes, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, vasculitis, syphilis and even frostbite are also capable of causing the problem.
It is important to clarify that, in general, numbness linked to pain or that which occurs alone is not usually linked to a serious condition. In any case, a doctor is the one who must analyze the causes and indicate the steps to follow to restore health .
Most frequent situations
Although numbness is an abnormal sensation that can be felt in different areas, it is usually experienced in the feet , legs , arms , hands or fingers .
If a person remains in the same position for a long time, it is likely that they will feel numbness when they stand up or move. A vitamin deficiency; drug use; the bite of various insects and spiders; and some toxins are other factors that can lead to numbness.
The way to alleviate or reverse numbness depends on its origin. The doctor may suggest an exercise routine, prescribe a vitamin supplement, or modify the dosage of a drug, for example .
Freezing causes numbness and other disorders.
How to find the cause of numbness
As we have been indicating throughout this article, numbness can be due to multiple issues. In certain cases, the cause is obvious, such as if someone is injured in a car accident, to name one possibility. However, your doctor may need to order various tests and tests .
A blood test, CT scan, MRI, X-ray, and lumbar puncture, among other practices, can help determine where the numbness is coming from.
The freezing
Take the case of frostbite numbness . When someone is exposed to very cold weather or is in direct contact with ice, they may experience freezing of the skin and the tissues underneath, causing numbness, tingling, and pain .
To prevent this situation, you should wear warm clothing and not stay in the cold environment for too long. At the first symptoms, you should protect the skin , gently warm the frozen areas and drink hot infusions or soups.