Numbness or tingling can come from a nerve pinched by a disc in the neck or lower back, pressure on a nerve at the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome), diabetes, vitamin deficiency and other causes.
Common symptoms
- Tingling in the hand or fingers, especially at night
- Pain spreading from the lower back into a leg (sciatica)
- Weakness, or trouble holding things
When to see a doctor
- Tingling or numbness that lasts several weeks
- Weakness in a hand or leg that is getting worse
- Sudden numbness on one side of the body, a drooping face or slurred speech: go to an emergency department immediately, as this can be a stroke
- Loss of bladder or bowel control: go to an emergency department immediately
How it is evaluated
- The pattern of your symptoms and a nerve examination
- X-ray, MRI, blood tests or a nerve conduction test when needed
- Treatment and exercise advice according to the cause
Emergency: after a serious accident, a suspected fracture with deformity, heavy bleeding, numbness or loss of movement, go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.