No matter where your symptoms strike, we can help you reduce and manage them
The most frightening or alarming symptoms often have the simplest causes. Most people associate the terms numbness and tingling with very serious health problems like a stroke or heart attack. However, nerve compression and injury are far more likely to be behind symptoms that come on slowly or repeat randomly for weeks and months on end. If you are concerned that you are dealing with neuropathy or other common nerve issues, come in for an appointment at our McKinney office to determine the cause as quickly as possible.
What is Numbness & Tingling?The twin symptoms of numbness and tingling are collectively known as paresthesia. This term includes other sensations like pins and needles, tickling, itching, or even burning. The loss of sensation in a limb or a large portion of the body can make it hard to stick with your daily routine. Everyone experiences these symptoms on a temporary basis when a limb falls asleep due to an awkward position. However, chronic numbness or tingling that returns regularly could indicate a condition that needs attention.
Numbness & Tingling SymptomsWhen you visit our clinic to diagnosis a numbness problem, the medical professional examining you may ask questions like:
- Did it start gradually or suddenly?
- Does it affect one or both hands?
- Do you get woken up at night?
- Is it persistent or intermediate
- Do you have an injury to your neck or upper shoulder?
- Is it relieved by resting and leisure time?
Cause of Numbness & TinglingWhile some causes of these symptoms are relatively benign, others are serious. The exact combination of symptoms will tell the doctor what condition is most likely causing the problem. Once we narrow down the options, it isn’t hard to find the exact health concern. The most common causes include:
- Chronic conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and seizures
- High levels of vitamin B12, calcium, or potassium in your blood
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Herniated discs
- Nerve injury, compression, or even infection
- Medication side effects
- Underactive thyroid
Numbness & Tingling RisksAvoiding diagnosis when a little tingling or numbness sets in could leave you vulnerable to the ravages of atherosclerosis or a sudden stroke. Less serious symptoms are often triggered by problems like:
- Malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies
- Mercury exposure
- Anxiety and stress
- Nerve damage due to injury or withdrawal from medications
- Poor posture or a lack of ergonomics in your work space
- Exposure to stinging nettles or any food you are allergic to
- Damage to the myelin sheath around each nerve
Numbness & Tingling Treatment OptionsThe appropriate treatment to relieve numbness and tingling depends on the cause. If you seek non-surgical help in our office, you may receive:
- Massage therapy to restore sensation to the area
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that can calm the affected nerves
- Gentle supplements and creams to treat the symptoms at the surface level
- Lidocaine patches and steroidal injections to stop severe tingling
- Exercise and dietary advice to help you improve your general fitness