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Numbness in the legs and arms
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
Numbness of the legs and arms is a very common problem today. During this phenomenon, there is a feeling of tingling, coldness, tightening and burning.
This can happen both on the upper and lower extremities. Therefore, it is important to determine the cause of this phenomenon and begin to eliminate it. After all, unpleasant symptoms can lie in wait for a person anywhere.
Causes of numbness in legs and arms
The causes of numbness in the legs and arms can be both completely harmless and caused by serious health problems. Therefore, it is worth noting all possible options.
Numbness can occur due to an uncomfortable position when sitting or lying down. This process is accompanied by a slight tingling sensation, which quickly disappears if the person changes position.
Pinched nerves often lead to numbness. This phenomenon is caused by problems with the spine. Thus, the main reason may be the presence of osteochondrosis. In this case, getting rid of the unpleasant symptom will not be so easy.
Carpal tunnel syndrome. This phenomenon is characterized by numbness of the first, second and third fingers of the hand. This is due to the fact that with this syndrome, the nerve that passes through the area of the hand is compressed. Partially, this phenomenon can be caused by prolonged work at the computer. First, the fingers begin to go numb, and then tingling occurs, gradually turning into severe pain.
Vitamin B12 deficiency. This component is involved in the metabolic processes of nerve fibers. Its small content in the body leads to rapid fatigue and general weakness. Sensitivity, heart rhythm disturbances and irritability may occur.
Raynaud's disease. This phenomenon is characterized by paroxysmal disorders of arterial blood circulation. This often manifests itself in the area of the feet and hands. The disease can arise against the background of stress, and is also caused by hereditary factors.
Obliterating endarteritis. This disease affects arterial vessels, often directly in the lower extremities. The vessels narrow significantly, and this leads to circulatory disorders.
Neuropathy. This disease affects the nerves. It is caused by metabolic disorders or intoxication. This phenomenon is characterized by the appearance of spontaneous pain.
Ischemic stroke often causes numbness in the legs and arms.
Symptoms of numbness in legs and arms
Symptoms of numbness in the legs and arms are not limited to just tingling and burning. In fact, there are quite a few signs. Thus, in many cases, numbness is associated with pain or may be accompanied by sensitivity disorders.
Often this phenomenon is accompanied by anxiety, a burning sensation, itching, frequent urination and increased numbness during movement. These are not all the symptoms. In some cases, lower back pain and muscle spasms are possible. There is pain in the neck and other parts of the body. There is also a pins and needles sensation, rash and increased sensitivity to touch.
There are a number of other symptoms that may manifest themselves. But this is due to the presence of serious disorders in the body. Thus, inhibition or short-term loss of consciousness may manifest themselves. Difficulty breathing, some difficulty walking and dizziness are not excluded.
In some cases, there is a complete loss of control over urination and defecation. Loss of vision, numbness in the head and neck, speech impairment and general weakness are possible. In this case, numbness of the legs and arms can be caused by a serious illness, so you need to seek help from a specialist.
Numbness in fingers and toes
Numbness of the fingers and toes is a common phenomenon that does not just happen. Thus, unpleasant sensations in the upper limbs are most likely caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Previously, this phenomenon was extremely rare. But when there were more computers and the number of users increased rapidly, the syndrome began to affect many.
Daily work with a keyboard and mouse carries a high risk of developing this phenomenon. But not only people working at a computer can get carpal tunnel syndrome. This phenomenon can also occur in painters, seamstresses, carpenters, etc. In general, in those people whose work is associated with constant tension of the hands.
This syndrome occurs due to severe overexertion, which is accompanied by swelling of the tendon. Due to this, the nerves responsible for the sensitivity of the palm, as well as the middle, index and thumb fingers are compressed. If timely treatment is not started, the muscle may die off. Ultimately, the person will not be able to bend the thumb.
Numbness of the toes can occur for a number of reasons. This is mainly due to the presence of various disorders that are metabolic in nature. Osteochondrosis of the spine, tuberculosis, vascular disorders and, in some cases, the development of cancer can cause such a reaction of the body. If numbness of the legs and arms manifests itself, you must immediately consult a doctor in order to determine the cause of this phenomenon.
Numbness in the left arm and leg
Numbness of the left arm and leg can occur for a number of reasons. In some cases, it indicates heart problems. This phenomenon occurs after severe stress or a nervous breakdown.
If numbness appears suddenly, it is worth understanding what could have caused its development. In many cases, this phenomenon occurs against the background of existing health problems. This is mainly due to diseases of the blood vessels, spine and nervous system.
A similar phenomenon can be caused by ordinary osteochondrosis. It is characterized by obvious changes in the spine. It develops against the background of a sedentary lifestyle. As a result, the intervertebral nerves in the spinal cord become pinched.
Intervertebral hernia. The disc nucleus is displaced and the nerve roots are pinched between the vertebral discs. That is why unpleasant numbness occurs.
Atherosclerosis. This phenomenon occurs in people over 50 years of age. It is characterized by numbness of the legs and the appearance of pain along with cramps.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an infectious disease. It is characterized by the penetration of infection into the joints, which leads to their deformation and pinching of nerves. This phenomenon causes numbness in the legs and arms.
Numbness in the right leg and arm
Numbness of the right leg and arm can be a consequence of pinched nerves, both in the spine and in the joint itself. This phenomenon occurs due to problems with the nervous and vascular systems. In many cases, this is due to diseases of the spine.
A stroke can also cause numbness in one part of the body. Therefore, you should not delay visiting a doctor. After all, simple numbness in one part of the body can progress to the stage of complete paralysis. If a person does not receive timely assistance, everything can end in death.
Naturally, such cases are not so common. Basically, numbness occurs directly due to a pinched nerve. This phenomenon is caused by the presence of certain diseases. The most common of them are: osteochondrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, intervertebral hernia, atherosclerosis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
In many cases, for these diseases, one symptom of numbness is not enough. All this is accompanied by severe pain, increased fatigue and weakness. Therefore, contacting a medical institution should be timely. After all, if you neglect numbness of the legs and arms, you can get serious problems.
Numbness of the face, legs and arms
Numbness of the face, legs and arms is most likely associated with diseases of the nerves and blood vessels. If this phenomenon occurs exclusively on the face, then these are problems with the blood vessels. If similar symptoms appear simultaneously in other parts of the body, then we are talking about damage to the central nervous system.
If numbness occurs on one side of the face, the development of neuralgia should not be ruled out. This phenomenon is characterized by the appearance of severe pain, as well as twitching of individual muscles.
If the numb area turns red or develops a rash, the development of shingles is possible. In this case, in addition to redness, small blisters with liquid may appear. This condition is characterized by the appearance of fever, loss of appetite and general weakness.
If numbness begins to manifest itself a few seconds before a severe headache attack, then most likely it is a symptom of migraine. In this case, nausea and bright red dots before gases may appear. Numbness of the legs and arms can occur both against the background of ordinary overfatigue and due to the development of a serious disease.
Numbness in arms and legs along with dizziness
Numbness of the arms and legs along with dizziness is often associated with neuralgia. These are problems with the nervous system. These symptoms manifest themselves after severe stress or nervous overexcitement.
In this case, getting rid of the problem will be easy. It is advisable to protect yourself from negative emotions and be less nervous. The problem will recede. But if nothing helps, then most likely we are talking about the development of a serious disease.
This could be a pinched nerve. It is characterized not only by numbness of the limbs, but also by the appearance of accompanying symptoms. Such as tingling, burning, itching and headache. Often there is severe fatigue and general weakness.
In this case, you should not delay treatment. There is no particular danger in this, but such a condition can worsen in the future. Then, in addition to dizziness, pain will begin to manifest itself, and even short-term loss of consciousness. Numbness of the legs and arms cannot be considered a harmless phenomenon in all cases, so you should not delay diagnosis.
Numbness in arms and legs at the same time
Numbness of the arms and legs at the same time can indicate the presence of a serious disease. Basically, this phenomenon is associated with problems of the cardiovascular system, orthopedic and neurological.
So, from the cardiovascular system, this may be a violation of blood flow to a certain area. This phenomenon can be caused by the following conditions: arteriovenous malformation, Buerger's disease, deep vein thrombosis, frostbite, peripheral arterial disease and Raynaud's syndrome.
Numbness can also be caused by orthopedic problems. Even the most minor disorders can lead to the development of this phenomenon. Thus, numbness is mainly associated with whiplash injury of the neck, bone fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, intervertebral disc herniation, osteoporosis and compression of the pinched nerve.
The causes of unpleasant symptoms may be neurological problems. These include alcoholism, brain tumors, hypothyroidism, myelitis, diabetic neuropathy, encephalitis, stroke, vitamin B12 deficiency, etc. All this indicates that numbness of the legs and arms must be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner so as not to aggravate the situation.
Numbness in the hands and feet
Numbness of the hands and feet is a very common phenomenon. This symptom can occur in both the upper and lower extremities. This is mainly due to problems with the spine.
Nowadays, computer technologies are very well developed. Many people use the Internet and spend most of their time working with a keyboard. All this leads to overstraining of the hand, which is accompanied by swelling of the tendon.
This phenomenon leads to compression of the nerves that are responsible for the sensitivity of the palm, as well as the middle, index and thumb fingers. If a person does not seek help in time, this can lead to muscle death, as a result of which the mobility of the thumb will be lost.
If your legs go numb along with your hands, then most likely we are talking about problems with metabolic processes. This reaction of the body can be caused by osteochondrosis, tuberculosis of the spine and vascular disorders. In some cases, this occurs due to the development of cancer. That is why numbness of the legs and arms should be diagnosed in time.
Numbness of the legs and arms as a symptom of the disease
Numbness of the legs and arms as a symptom of a disease associated with the nervous and vascular system, as well as problems with the spine. In many cases, unpleasant sensations do not just arise, they are accompanied by some diseases.
Raynaud's disease. This disease manifests itself in the form of attacks associated with disorders of arterial blood circulation. Most often, this manifests itself in the area of the feet and hands. The problem can arise against the background of stress and hereditary factors. The most susceptible to the disease are people who have suffered hypothermia, an infectious disease, overwork, and young women who spend a lot of time in direct sunlight. During this phenomenon, not only numbness can be felt, but also rapid freezing, as well as the acquisition of a blue tint of the fingers in the cold and with strong excitement. If you do not start treatment in time, the disease can affect other parts of the body: ears, nose and chin.
Obliterating endarteritis. This disease affects arterial vessels, often in the lower extremities. The vessels narrow significantly, which leads to circulatory disorders. All this is accompanied by numbness and cooling of the extremities. If treatment is not started in time, a progressive stage occurs, which is characterized by complete blockage of the vessels, resulting in gangrene.
Neuropathy. This disease affects the nerves. It is caused by metabolic disorders or intoxication of the body. In addition to numbness, itching, tingling, burning and a feeling of tightening of the fingers and toes are manifested. Neuropathy occurs with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc. Numbness of the legs and arms is possible with ischemic stroke.
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Diagnosis of numbness in legs and arms
Diagnosis of numbness of the legs and arms should be carried out by an experienced doctor. First of all, a general blood test is taken. Thanks to it, iron deficiency anemia can be detected. It is the decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood that can lead to the appearance of numbness. A general analysis allows you to determine the level of vitamin B12.
X-rays and computer tomography play an important role. These methods allow us to identify bone fractures that can damage nerves. In addition, it is possible to identify osteochondrosis, intervertebral disc herniation, arthritis and other diseases.
Electroneuromyography. This technique is used to determine the location of nerve damage. It allows to determine carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy.
Ultrasound Doppler examination of blood vessels is also widely used. It helps well in diagnosing vascular diseases. These include deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. All this causes numbness in the legs and arms.
Treatment of numbness in legs and arms
Treatment of numbness of the legs and arms directly depends on the disease that caused it. If this phenomenon occurs periodically and is associated with specific work, then it will be much easier to remove it.
In order for the unpleasant symptom to manifest itself extremely rarely, it is enough to move more. Walking, fast walking, going up and down stairs, etc. are perfect. All this will warm up the muscles and prevent them from stagnation.
If the work is monotonous, it is advisable to take short breaks regularly. It is enough to simply bend over a few times or walk around the room.
When a person's activity is associated with constant work at a computer, it is recommended to periodically make rotational and shaking movements with the hands. This will eliminate numbness and prevent the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is not recommended to try to eliminate the problem on your own. After all, the cause of this phenomenon may be a serious disease. Therefore, the first thing you should do is see a doctor and undergo a full diagnosis.
You can also get rid of numbness using folk remedies, but only if there are no serious health problems. So, 2 liters of milk and a liter of water are poured into an enamel container, then 50 grams of honey and 600 grams of salt are added. All this is heated to 60 degrees and hands are dipped into the resulting liquid for 10 minutes. A similar procedure is with legs. The course of treatment is 10 days. It is important to immediately lie down in a warm bed after the procedure.
If the numbness of the limbs bothers you a lot, you can use Efkamon ointment. Rub it in every day before going to bed. Then put on woolen socks on your feet and wrap your hands in a scarf. For complete relief, use 10 tubes of the preparation.
Self-treatment can only be resorted to if the doctor has not found a serious reason for the numbness in the legs and arms.
Prevention of numbness in legs and arms
Prevention of numbness of the legs and arms plays a significant role. So, in order for the unpleasant symptom not to take you by surprise, it is worth doing some physical exercises daily. They will not only prevent the occurrence of numbness, but also get rid of this symptom.
After a person wakes up, without getting out of bed, raise your fists up and clench them about 50 times. After that, you need to stretch your limbs along the body and repeat the exercise again.
Turning your face to the wall, you need to stand on your toes and raise your hands up. You need to hold this position for a minute. Repeat this action 5-7 times.
The palms are pressed against each other, the fingers are crossed and then clenched and unclenched. This exercise should be repeated 30 times. It is great for developing the hands.
It is advisable to perform a set of exercises daily. This will help prevent numbness in the legs and arms and prevent its development in the future.
Prognosis for numbness in legs and arms
The prognosis for numbness in the legs and arms is positive, but only if treatment was started on time. The fact is that such a symptom can be caused by ordinary fatigue. But in many cases it indicates the presence of a serious disease.
That is why the further course depends on how quickly a person begins quality treatment. The problem should never be neglected. If we are talking about Raynaud's disease, then untimely assistance can lead to limited movement of the thumb.
Leaving problems with the spine to take their course is also not worth it. In the future, this will lead to a worsening of the situation. The prognosis can be positive only if help is provided in time. Often, people are in no hurry to seek medical attention, so the problem becomes more extensive. In some cases, eliminating the unpleasant symptom requires surgical intervention. Therefore, if numbness in the legs and arms occurs, you must immediately seek help.