Signs that numbness in the fingers is due to a serious illness include unsteadiness in gait, imbalance in the body, seizures in other parts of the body, weakness, and double vision. In these cases, you need to urgently consult a doctor to find out the causes of this condition. Such symptoms occur in the following diseases:
This is a systemic disease of the nervous system, in which the integrity of the myelin sheath of the nerve is disrupted and demyelination occurs. The functions of the nervous system itself are disrupted, and accordingly, the functions of all internal organs are disrupted. Stiffness in movements appears, gait is disturbed. It cramps not only the fingers and toes, but also all the limbs as a whole.
This is a disease that occurs as a result of acute spasm of cerebral vessels or blockage of a vessel by a blood clot. As a result, part of the brain tissue supplied with blood from this vessel dies. And, accordingly, the functions for which this part of the brain is responsible are disrupted. In addition to seizures, a person may experience speech impairment, decreased vision, loss of consciousness, and even coma.
Depending on the size and location of the tumor, various changes in the human body can occur, including limb spasms.
This is a disease, the characteristic manifestation of which is blueness and numbness of the fingers. It is associated with spasm of the vessels supplying the upper limbs. Common causes of the development of this pathology are tobacco abuse, hypothermia and injuries to the upper extremities.
This is a disease based on malnutrition of the vertebrae. As a result, some displacement of the vertebral bodies and pinching of the intervertebral nerve roots occurs. Nerves that go to the shoulder girdle and upper limbs originate in the cervical and thoracic spine. Therefore, when nerves are pinched, the innervation of the hands may be disrupted, numbness, decreased sensitivity and pain may occur.
This is a protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal, resulting in compression of the spinal cord and the nerves extending from it. The consequence of this will be numbness in the fingers.
This is an inflammation of the nerve fibers running from the elbow to the little finger and ring finger. With pathology, in addition to numbness of these fingers, their flexion is impaired. The cause of this condition may be the limb remaining in the same position for a long time, resting on the elbow. For example, when working at a computer or machine. In right-handed people, such symptoms appear on the working right hand, in left-handed people - on the left hand.
This is an inflammation of the tendons and nerves running in the area of the wrist joint. With this pathology, numbness occurs not only in the fingers, but throughout the entire palm. In addition to numbness in the fingers, the patient is bothered by severe pain in the wrist, which intensifies during the day when working with the hand, and decreases somewhat at night.
Such symptoms can appear with a hand injury, inflammation of the wrist joint (arthritis), hypothyroidism and pregnancy. The last two reasons lead to swelling of the soft tissues of the entire body, including the upper extremities. As a result, compression of the nerves of the carpal tunnel occurs and, as a result, numbness of the fingers.
These are just some of the possible causes of numbness in your fingers. Only a doctor can understand the true causes of the pathology. Self-medication can only aggravate the course of the disease and lead to complications.
Leg cramps are common. Why the legs cramp in most cases is unclear. However, some medications and some medical conditions can cause leg cramps. Doing regular calf stretches can help prevent leg cramps. If you regularly experience leg cramps, your last resort may be quinine tablets.
What are leg cramps
A leg cramp is pain in the muscles of the legs. It occurs due to muscle spasm when the muscle contracts too much. This usually occurs in the calf muscle. Sometimes the small muscles of the feet are involved.
The pain from the spasm usually lasts for several minutes. In some cases it lasts a few seconds, but sometimes up to 10 minutes. The intensity of pain varies. The muscle may remain tender for up to 24 hours after the cramp.
Why do my legs cramp at night?
Leg cramps usually occur while a person is resting, most often at night, in bed (they are often called night cramps). The cramp may wake you up. This can become a distressing condition if sleep is regularly disturbed.
In general, nighttime leg cramps are associated with muscle fatigue and nerve problems. The risk of nighttime leg cramps increases as you age. Pregnant women also often experience nighttime leg cramps.
In rare cases, nighttime leg cramps may be due to a disorder, such as peripheral artery disease (in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the muscles), diabetes, or spinal stenosis.
Some medications, especially intravenous iron, estrogens, and naproxen, have been associated with nighttime leg cramps.
Who has leg cramps?
Many people sometimes experience leg cramps. However, for some they occur frequently. Older people have seizures more often. About one in three people over the age of 60, and about half of those over 80, regularly experience leg cramps. Four out of ten people who experience leg cramps have them at least three times a week, and for some they have them every day.
What causes leg cramps
Unknown cause (idiopathic leg cramps)
In most cases the cause is unknown. One theory is that cramps occur when a muscle that is already in a contracted position is stimulated to contract. Since the muscle is already shortened, further contraction may cause a spasm. This often happens at night in bed because the natural position we lie in is with our knees slightly bent and our feet pointing slightly downward. In this position, the calf muscle is relatively short and may be prone to cramping. This theory explains why stretching exercises can solve the problem.
In some cases, cramps may be a symptom of another problem. For example:
This is not a complete list of medications that may cause leg cramps as a side effect. Talk to your doctor if you are taking any medications and experience leg cramps.
Leg cramps are just one of the various symptoms of the above diseases and conditions. Therefore, if you are generally healthy, then your leg cramps are most likely idiopathic (with no apparent cause).
Note: Leg cramps are different from a condition called restless legs syndrome. This condition causes discomfort in the legs, which is relieved by walking.
Why do my feet cramp?
Our feet constantly feel the weight of our entire body when we walk or stand. This is why the feet cramp more often than other muscles. Foot cramps are involuntary and painful and can affect other muscle groups. They can last for several minutes, and sometimes for several days. Most often, foot cramps spread to the inner arch of the foot and toes, especially the big toe.
Many people describe foot cramps as a sudden, sharp pain that numbs them for a short time, usually less than three minutes. Sudden cramps usually disappear after a few minutes, but if they recur every day, you should see a podiatrist. The cause of cramps is more important than the discomfort and inconvenience they cause. By identifying the cause, you can prevent the problem.
If your feet are cramping, you will definitely feel the muscles contracting strongly. You can even see it. In addition to the cramp itself, there may be other symptoms:
Why do my toes cramp?
There are several reasons why foot and toe cramps develop, including:
In most cases, foot cramps occur due to fatigue and tension in the legs. Overuse of the legs is most common in athletes and older adults, but can affect anyone of any age, including children. As you age, cramping becomes more common due to decreased activity levels and muscle weakness, which occurs when muscles do not receive enough blood. Foot cramps may be a sign of decreased circulation. When the blood supply to the limbs is reduced, they do not receive the amount of oxygen they need to function properly, causing spasms and pain.
It is very important to eat right and get enough vitamins and minerals. Lack of potassium in the body can cause cramps in the calves and feet. Dehydration can also cause cramps. The body needs water and other fluids, especially those that provide electrolytes. Vitamin D is also important for healthy feet and bones. Smoking and drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration.