If you ever feel that your toe is numb, it is better not to ignore this phenomenon, since such harmless numbness may have a more serious problem behind it.
Numb fingers are not just a problem for older people. Very often young people feel numbness in their fingers and even hands in the morning.
If this is due to an incorrect sleeping position, do not be alarmed. But if this symptom persists for a long time, be sure to consult a specialist.
Numbness in the fingers often occurs with carpal tunnel syndrome. Typically, this disease occurs in people who work at a computer and are often in one position.
With this syndrome, not only numbness of the fingers occurs, but pain and burning often occur. Prolonged sedentary work leads to swelling of the tendons, which leads to pinching of the median nerve. This numbness usually occurs in the morning, but later your hands may begin to hurt during the day.
Hands may also begin to go numb due to some endocrine problems, inflammation of the joints and osteochondrosis. It is impossible to independently determine the cause of numbness in the fingers. You must definitely contact a specialist and undergo the necessary tests and analyses.
Not only the fingers on the hands, but also on the feet become numb. In some cases, this is a symptom of serious illnesses. Under no circumstances should you postpone a visit to a specialist and you need to find out the cause of numbness in your toes as quickly as possible.
There are a large number of diseases that cause numbness in a toe, or on both feet at once. One of the reasons may be spinal osteochondrosis. With this disease, the intervertebral spaces narrow, which leads to numbness of the limbs.
Tuberculosis of the spine can also lead to numbness. Vascular disorders lead to improper blood circulation, and as a result – to numbness of the legs.
Another very unpleasant cause can be cancer, in which a tumor grows inside or outside the spinal cord. If a tumor develops in the legs, it is likely that the person will soon be unable to walk.
Even if you do not have a serious illness, but your toe is still numb, a visit to the doctor is a must. After a full examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment and recommend special exercises that will help get rid of this numbness.
Osteochondrosis is the name given to dystrophic disorders that occur in cartilage. They can damage intervertebral discs.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc becomes compacted, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae. Vessels and nerve roots are pinched. This leads to severe pain and swelling. There are lumbar, thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is dangerous because it directly affects all internal organs and can lead to their disruption.
So, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, a person suffers from headaches and blurred vision, while in the lumbar region, the kidneys suffer and potency decreases.
Basically, osteochondrosis affects people with metabolic disorders. Also, problems with hormones or blood vessels can lead to this disease. This explains why so many young people have spinal problems.
There are many causes of osteochondrosis. Undoubtedly, the main one is a sedentary image. An active lifestyle and the absence of bad habits have always helped maintain a healthy state of the body.
Almost every second resident of our country has problems with the spine. Despite the fact that osteochondrosis is not a fatal disease, if it is present, it is impossible to live in the usual rhythm.
It is unrealistic to completely get rid of osteochondrosis - if deformed, the cartilage will not be able to take on its previous appearance. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and prevent subsequent deformation of the cartilage.
It is necessary to monitor your posture from an early age. Preventing osteochondrosis is easier than treating it. To do this, it is enough to lead an active lifestyle and do exercises.
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In the last trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s legs often go numb; during pregnancy, this condition is almost normal. Of course, this suggests that not everything is in order in the woman’s body, but there is no need to panic in the presence of such discomfort. It is important to understand the reasons.
In medicine, numbness of the limbs during pregnancy is a sign of hypoesthesia - a violation of sensitivity . When the body cannot fully respond to external stimuli. Most often, during pregnancy, arms and legs and fingers go numb. In most cases, discomfort appears after 30 weeks. After waking up, the woman first experiences numbness in her arms, and then in her legs. As a result, when the limbs become numb, the woman suffers from insomnia towards the end of the term. In this state it is very difficult to find a place for yourself even in the most comfortable bed.
The cause of numbness in the limbs is excess fluid that accumulates in the body.
During the period when a woman is pregnant, she gains weight, which puts pressure on the joints, causing severe stress and, as a result, discomfort.
Another reason is the lack of essential vitamins and microelements in the expectant mother’s body. At this time, the body’s need for nutrients increases several times, so gynecologists often prescribe additional vitamins.
Why do my legs go numb in the first trimester? Here the reason lies in toxicosis, which is characteristic of this period. Because of this, the body experiences a lack of beneficial microelements that are responsible for the formation of the fetus and the health of the expectant mother.
Therefore, it is so important to register with the antenatal clinic on time in order to be able to control your condition - to get rid of toxicosis and numbness. This can only be achieved by eating a balanced diet and taking multivitamins.
Why else do your legs go numb during pregnancy?
Doctors also say that in most cases, arms and legs go numb in those who led a sedentary lifestyle before pregnancy, and during pregnancy reduced physical activity. The best method to avoid discomfort in the limbs is in the early stages (unless, of course, there are contraindications), try to walk more, you can go swimming, attend yoga classes designed for pregnant women. Remember that the better the blood circulates, the less chance there is of stagnation and numbness.
What other preventive measures exist:
In some cases, pregnancy may not play a role in the causes of numbness. If a woman has numbness in her right leg or toes, she should definitely consult a neurologist. Most often, these are symptoms of complications caused by osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
If your arms and legs go numb, in any case, you should inform the gynecologist who is monitoring your pregnancy. He will recommend the necessary vitamins and find out whether additional tests or examinations are needed. If the reason lies, indeed, in a violation of metabolism and water-salt balance, you can use methods at home that will alleviate this condition.
What you can do:
By following simple rules, you can avoid numbness in your feet or help yourself minimize the discomfort from this condition.
Among the main causes of numbness in the toes are the following:
Causes of leg paresthesia also include transient ischemic attacks, angiopathy of various natures, trauma and frostbite. Thyroid diseases, kidney failure, deficiency of vitamins B6 and B12 and calcium deficiency also contribute to the development of numbness in the legs. Leprosy, flat feet and hereditary amyloidosis also lead to numbness in the legs.
Of etiological significance are rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, inflammatory processes in the bones of the legs and lumbar stenosis, endarteritis, varicose veins, atherosclerosis and other pathologies that disrupt normal blood circulation in the extremities. In addition, if your toe is numb, you should pay attention to your shoes. If it's too tight or has high heels, prolonged walking or standing can cause your toes to become numb. When you remove uncomfortable shoes, the sensitivity of your feet is restored. The reason may also be that your feet are wet and cold. After warming and massaging areas with lost sensitivity, the discomfort disappears.
The simplest cause of numbness in the legs is an uncomfortable posture or sitting in a cross-legged position, which impairs blood circulation. When the position changes, the sensitivity of the leg is restored. Also, minor paresthesia may appear during pregnancy, which is associated with an increase in the load on the lower extremities, as well as compression of nerve fibers by an enlarged uterus.
Transient numbness of the legs is often observed during migraine attacks, while taking certain medications, and also after injuries. Persistent loss of sensation in the tissues and skin on the left or right leg is a sign of serious damage to the spinal cord or brain, which requires appropriate treatment. If the lower limb not only goes numb, but also hurts, there is a burning sensation and “crawling”, then this indicates the rapid progression of the pathological process, so consultation with a doctor is mandatory.
Paresthesia is not regarded as an independent disease, but as a symptom of other pathologies, therefore the examination tactics are determined by the doctor after an initial examination and assessment of anamnestic data. The following examinations are most often carried out for diagnostic purposes:
With periodic numbness of the leg, which is not accompanied by other pathological symptoms, treatment is usually not required. It is necessary to undergo examination in the following cases:
After diagnosis, the doctor draws up an appropriate treatment plan. The main condition for a positive result is the elimination of the causative factor. Since the most common causes of paresthesia are damage to nerves or blood vessels, treatment in most cases includes the following:
If you follow the doctor's recommendations, the prognosis of the disease is favorable. To prevent recurrent paresthesias, the following is recommended:
Numbness of the limbs is called hypoesthesia in the medical literature. The process is accompanied by loss of flexibility, the appearance of a tingling sensation, burning sensation, and decreased sensitivity.
What if your leg goes numb during pregnancy ? Is it dangerous or not?
If a pregnant woman has numbness in her leg or both limbs at once, she should not worry too much. This unpleasant phenomenon haunts almost all pregnant women. Only the degree of possible numbness varies slightly.
Numbness of the legs occurs due to a violation of water-salt metabolism and the accumulation of excess water in the tissues. In addition, the weight of a pregnant woman increases, causing pressure on the joints of the legs. Due to the increased load on the joints of the limbs, during pregnancy women often experience cramps in their legs.
In order to reduce such discomfort in the joints, a pregnant woman is recommended to eat as many fruits as possible with a high iron content, such as apples and pomegranates. On the recommendation of a doctor, you should take special vitamin complexes, take a warm shower more often, and carry out water procedures with body massage using a washcloth. It is necessary to reduce salt intake.
After childbirth, numbness in the legs should go away. If your legs still feel numb after giving birth, you should consult your doctor.
The following diseases may be the causes of frequent numbness of the limbs: chronic compression of the nerve due to immobility or monotonous work of the joint, diabetes mellitus, lack of vitamin B in the body, hereditary predisposition to stroke or heart attack, acquired or congenital deformation of the joints, changes associated with osteochondrosis or arthritis, as well as with age characteristics.
Numbness of the limbs is often a hereditary factor, and can also be a symptom of a mini-stroke or hyperventilation. All this is not a complete list of possible reasons that caused numbness in the limbs. To establish the true cause, a medical diagnosis will be needed. We can talk about some acute disease if hypoesthesia is accompanied by headache, fever, blurred vision and paresis of the limbs.
Bocharova Zhanna, obstetrician-gynecologist www.med-informs.ru
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Numbness of the toes is an extremely unpleasant symptom that is recommended to be eliminated as soon as possible. After all, loss of sensation in the legs or fingers causes a lot of inconvenience. What should you do if your fingers go numb? What does this mean and where should you go to find out the cause and get treatment? We will talk about this in the article.
If your big toe has recently started to go numb, then no matter how strange it may be, pay attention to the shoes you are wearing? No, we are not talking about indoor shoes, but about the ones you wear outside. Is it comfortable? Made from natural materials? Does your shoes rub or not? If you just recently bought shoes, then you may not be surprised why you are losing sensitivity in your big toe.
Often it is women who complain about numbness of the big toe, since they walk in heels for at least 8 hours of working time. And, as you know, the anatomical structure of the human spine does not allow for walking on toes. After all, this is what a woman looks like in high heels.
Therefore, if you have numbness in your big toe, the first thing to do is pay attention to the shoes you wear every day.
Uncomfortable, tight shoes are a common cause of numbness in the big toe.
It is typical that after removing shoes, a person may feel a slight tingling sensation, as well as itching in the limb. This means that sensitivity to your fingers should return soon.
Numbness of the thumb can occur if you have been in the cold for a long time.
Cold and frost are the cause of numbness not only in the toes, but also in the foot as a whole.
What to do if you lose feeling in your toes? Or just one thumb? You need to remove uncomfortable shoes and only after that massage your feet well. You can restore sensitivity in your toes with a contrast shower. First, pour hot water over your feet, and then cold water, and so on several times. Then put on warm socks and go to rest.
Also, remember! If your professional activity involves constantly spending time on your feet, then give preference to comfortable comfortable shoes made from natural materials. Beauty is beauty, but your health comes first.
After we have found out that one of the causes of numbness of the big toe may be uncomfortable shoes and prolonged exposure to cold air, we move on to describing the reasons for concern.
What to do if your big toe starts to go numb at night? This cannot be the result of wearing uncomfortable shoes.
In this case, you need to seek help from a neurologist the very next day.
As a rule, numbness of the big toe on the left/right leg or on both at once indicates a malfunction of the lumbar spine. Physiologically, the thumbs of the lower extremities are powered by impulses that come from the lumbar vertebrae.
If the vertebrae are affected by an inflammatory or infectious process, for example, osteochondrosis, there is a hernia of the spine, as well as protrusion of the spine, this leads to numbness of the big toe.
Numbness of the big toe can be the result of a pathological course in the body. And in this case, you will not be able to cope with either the symptoms of the disease or cure the cause on your own.
Numbness of the big toe can begin due to neurological diseases, namely due to polyneuropathy. What is polyneuropathy and how does it affect the sensitivity of the toes?
So, polyneuropathy is an extremely complex disease of the central nervous system, namely the peripheral part. Moreover, this disease rarely responds to conservative therapy.
When a person's metabolism is disrupted, the body begins to be affected by toxins.
The disease polyneuropathy is a real leader among the common causes of loss of sensation in the limb. With polyneuropathy, numbness of the big toe initially begins, then the entire foot becomes numb. A person begins to have a pathological gait disorder, he sways from side to side, and his gait is unsteady.
If the thumb suddenly begins to go numb, then turns red, swells and hurts, then this indicates the formation of gout.
Gout is a pathology that is directly related to the release of large amounts of uric acid. Moreover, if uric acid, which begins to accumulate in the joint, leads to numbness, that is, loss of sensitivity of those fingers to which certain fingers are closest.
People at risk for gout include people who are overweight, as well as those who eat large amounts of protein foods.
If you suspect gout inflammation, you should consult a rheumatologist.
Some of the causes of numbness in the big toes have been discussed above. Of course, these are not all the reasons why numbness may begin.
Numbness of the thumb can begin due to the formation of:
What to do if your toes go numb? First of all, you need to contact specialists: a rheumatologist, traumatologist, surgeon, and also a therapist. You may have to undergo certain blood tests that will confirm or deny the presence of a particular pathology.
To prevent loss of feeling in your toes, you need to pay attention to your diet. Add more fresh foods to your diet and eliminate coffee, alcoholic drinks, and strong black tea.
Remember that those at risk include those who are overweight.
To prevent numbness of the big toe, you need to do gymnastics at least periodically, and also take contrast baths.
If we talk about drug therapy, then anti-inflammatory medications are used, as well as painkillers. Be sure to start taking vitamin-mineral complexes.
The problem of numbness in the toes is quite common. It gives a person uncomfortable, unpleasant and to some extent painful sensations. In medicine, this phenomenon is usually called paresthesia. It is characterized by loss of sensation in the toes. Numbness in itself is not dangerous, but it may indicate the presence of some disease in the human body. Paresthesia can be recognized by the following sensations:
Usually, if your toes go numb, this indicates problems with blood supply. It can occur due to prolonged physical exertion or wearing shoes that are not suitable in size or instep. In addition, sitting and lying in an uncomfortable position can also cause numbness in your toes.
If paresthesia is not caused by a problem with the blood supply, you should try to find the factors that provoked it. Numbness of the toes may indicate diseases of the cardiovascular or musculoskeletal system. In this case, you cannot do without the help of the attending physician, since he must not only make a diagnosis, but also prescribe adequate treatment.
If your toes go numb, this may indicate the following ailments:
Big toes or little toes are most often numb due to tight shoes, such as narrow toes. In this case, the discomfort should go away immediately after it is removed. If only the middle toe on the left or right foot goes numb, this is most likely caused by problems in the musculoskeletal system.
When there is numbness in the toes, the causes and treatment depend on each other, because if you do not determine the factors that influenced the occurrence of the problem, it is impossible to choose the appropriate method of therapy. First of all, when the limbs begin to become stiff and there is no explanation for this condition, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. He will prescribe an extensive examination of not only the left and right legs, but also the spine, heart, and blood vessels.
In general, the course of treatment may consist of the following methods:
The doctor may also prescribe a multivitamin complex or a special diet. If there is a problem of numbness in the toes, you need to ensure that the body receives vitamin B in sufficient quantities. At the same time, it is important to follow the dosage prescribed by the doctor in order to avoid hypervitaminosis, which also poses a danger to human health.
A specialist can clearly answer what to do if your toes go numb based on the tests and other studies performed. But there are methods that will help you feel better, at least temporarily. These include the following folk methods:
In addition, if one day your toe becomes numb, you should think about preventing this phenomenon. First you need to pay attention to your shoes. It is important that it is comfortable. You should also stop wearing high heels for a while.
If the toes on your right or left foot go numb during prolonged sedentary work, you need to take moments of rest and change your position as often as possible. Doctors also advise doing light exercise regularly to improve blood circulation. Simple exercises, slow running, long walks have a positive effect on health and well-being. If your toe is numb and you need to quickly get rid of this feeling, it will be enough to do a self-massage of your feet and pads.
Diet plays an important role in a person's well-being. It must contain all vital microelements and vitamins. When the toes on your left or right foot become numb, you need to increase the amount of meat, offal and sea fish you eat. Doctors also recommend avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated drinks.
When your toes go numb, your doctor will tell you what to do in such a situation and how to treat the problem. Therefore, if you experience prolonged discomfort, you should not delay making an appointment with a specialist for too long.
The toes go numb when a nerve is pinched or blood flow in the tissue is impaired due to an uncomfortable posture, tight shoes or injury. Loss of sensation in the lower extremities is a symptom of radiculitis, lumbar osteochondrosis, alcohol intoxication or diabetes. When the discomfort quickly passes and does not return, there is nothing to worry about. If numbness bothers you regularly and other unpleasant signs are added, go to the doctor.
In this article we will look in detail at why your toes go numb and how you can get rid of this unpleasant sensation. The information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute instructions for action. In some cases, only a doctor will help - do not neglect a visit to a specialist.
Due to an uncomfortable position (legs under you, legs crossed), the nerve is pinched, blood flow to the fingers is disrupted - sensitivity is lost, tingling and goosebumps appear. Sometimes it hurts to step on your foot. But the discomfort goes away after changing the position, rotating the foot, and moving the fingers.
In tight, narrow shoes, the foot is constantly compressed. And with prolonged walking, a slight swelling appears, which aggravates the situation. Blood circulation is disrupted - the legs ache, ache, swell and go numb.
Calluses are dense, dry patches of dead skin cells. Sensitivity to touch is weak, but when walking it burns and hurts. Most often, calluses cause the big toe to go numb.
Due to any injury (be it a fracture or bruise), the nerve endings are damaged. While it is healing, it hurts, burns, and limits movement. And subsequently, numbness may appear - the toe periodically goes numb.
Toxic substances (poisons) regularly entering the body slowly but surely destroy blood vessels. Nicotine narrows the lumen, and alcohol thins the walls. For this reason, fingers, entire limbs, and other parts of the body become numb.
Great physical activity on the legs leads to fatigue, paresthesia, and pain.
The cause of numbness in the toes may be hidden in a serious pathology. The human body is a single whole: a pinched nerve or damage to a vessel in one place is reflected in discomfort in completely different areas.
If the foot of the left leg becomes numb, it does not mean that damage should be looked for in this limb.
What disease is associated with numbness in the feet and fingers?
Disease/pathological condition
Why does paresthesia occur?
Nature of discomfort/related clinic
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Cyanocobalamin is involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and the formation of nerve fiber sheaths. Therefore, with a deficiency, various neurological disorders appear.
Paresthesia of the limbs with goosebumps and tingling. Plus weakness, tinnitus, dizziness. Irritability appears.
The sciatic nerve becomes injured and inflamed - its branches are damaged.
I can’t feel my toes on my left and/or right foot. It hurts, “goosebumps”, the muscles become flabby.
The intervertebral disc wears out - the vertebrae overlap each other - pinching blood vessels and nerve fibers. As a result, blood flow and conduction of nerve impulses are disrupted.
Periodically, my big toes go numb. Then severe pain appears.
The nervous tissue enlarges and swells – a tumor forms. Most often, the pathological process develops in the toes.
A benign formation quickly spreads to other areas - it hurts a person to step.
The lumen of the arteries of the lower extremities narrows - blood flow is disrupted.
The toes of the left and right feet go numb, the limbs are cold. Sensitivity does not return for a long time. When the vessel completely closes, gangrene develops.
Neuropathy (peripheral, diabetic)
High blood sugar levels in diabetes mean a high risk of damage to blood vessels and nerves in the feet. A common cause of peripheral neuropathy is intoxication.
Itching, burning, tingling in the extremities. The fingers seem to be pulled together. Spontaneous pain appears, very strong. Wounds do not heal well.
Atherosclerosis of the lower extremities
Cholesterol plaques (thickenings inside the vessels) interfere with blood circulation - the arteries and arterioles of the extremities are affected.
Sensitivity decreases. Fingers are always cold and pale.
A risk factor for paresthesia of the limbs is pregnancy . This is not a pathological condition, so we will not include it in the general table.
The enlarging uterus and growing fetus compress the nerve roots - conduction between the fibers is disrupted. At the same time, blood circulation in the extremities deteriorates - during pregnancy, the fingers become numb and cold.
Constantly recurring discomfort is a reason to consult a doctor for qualified examination and treatment. But when your leg is twisted and constrained here and now, something urgently needs to be done.
What to do if your fingers go numb:
Take a comfortable position, move your foot up and down, left and right. Make circular movements in one direction, then in the other. The simplest exercise will help speed up the blood.
Soak your feet in a warm bath with pine extract (if you are not allergic). Relax, sit for 5-10 minutes.
Dry each foot with a soft towel and massage thoroughly. Rub each finger alternately, using circular movements from base to tip. Work your entire foot, bottom and top, with force.
If you experience regular discomfort, perform these manipulations every evening.
General recommendations for healthy feet:
Place a bowl of peas or beans on the floor. Nearby is an empty bowl. Using your fingers, pick up the beans from one bowl and transfer them to another. First we work on the toes on the left foot, then on the right. Do this simple exercise regularly to keep your blood flowing.
Proven recipes will help eliminate constant discomfort. Numbness of the toes occurs - treatment with folk remedies to help:
Remember: prevention is always better than cure.
If discomfort is quickly relieved with the help of simple exercises and self-massage techniques, then the cause of numbness is external (uncomfortable posture, incorrect shoes, physical fatigue). If paresthesia returns again and again, accompanied by pain, burning, tingling, run to the doctor.