Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Leg numbness is sometimes described as an abnormal sensation or tingling sensation in the legs, which may or may not be accompanied by a burning sensation or even pain. It can be due to a variety of reasons. Among them there are such trivial reasons as sitting in one position for too long, but also serious conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spine diseases.
What is leg numbness?
The feeling of numbness in the legs is a symptom resulting from various types of nerve conduction disorders in the legs (paraesthesia). These disorders can be temporary and transient, or they can be chronic and progressive. The disorder feels like a tingling sensation in the legs, which may be accompanied by swelling, changes in the legs, burning, and sometimes even pain. The most common causes are, for example, staying in one position for too long or more serious diseases such as nerve damage due to trauma. One-time numbness in the legs shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Repeated numbness is required to consult a doctor.
The causes of numbness in the legs
The list of the most common culprits responsible for numbness in the legs is long, here are some of the most common causes:
– nerve conduction damage as a result of exposure to intense thermal stimuli (burns, frostbite), certain chemicals and toxic substances (lead poisoning),
– nerve damage due to direct trauma to either the lower limb or the nerve itself,
– staying in the same position for a long time (then we feel a characteristic tingling sensation) – for swollen and tired legs, we recommend, for example, Active gel for tired legs with a soothing and refreshing effect, it is also worth reaching for the Feeling of heavy legs VenoHerbs – a herbal mixture available in an economical packaging with a capacity of 120g,
– pressure on the nerve: it can be caused simply by sitting in one position for too long, but it can also result from pressure caused by a tumor, hematoma, etc. growing in the area of the nerve. narrowing of the spinal canal) and at the level of the tarsal canal (the so-called tarsal canal syndrome) – order Dr Stopa FLOSLEK tired feet and legs balm available at a favorable price on Medonet Market,
– nerve blood supply disorders (atherosclerosis, Buerger’s disease),
– diabetic, alcoholic, drug-induced neuropathy, deficiency of B vitamins in the course of improper nutrition or diseases that prevent proper absorption (e.g. celiac disease),
– acute and chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, systemic visceral lupus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis),
– disturbances in the blood supply to the central nervous system as a symptom that may indicate a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA),
– poor diet – numbness in the limbs may appear as a result of a diet containing a small amount of vitamin B, especially vitamin B6. A deficiency in the diet of magnesium and calcium can also cause calf cramps, muscle tremors and numbness in the legs. Celiac disease characterized by malabsorption may also be responsible for the ailment.
Numbness of the legs – diseases
A symptom in the form of numbness in the legs may indicate various types of ailments, including:
1. discopathy – nerves coming from various parts of the spine are responsible for the innervation of the legs. At the time of degenerative changes in the spine and then disturbed nerve conduction – limb numbness may appear. Foot numbness occurs when degenerative changes affect the lumbar and sacral regions. Also, a disc herniation caused by too much pressure from the vertebrae and thus the bulging of the fibrous ring can cause numbness in the legs. Nerves may be pinched, for example due to prolonged stay in the bent-leg position or due to the presence of a tumor in the vicinity of the nerve;
2. osteoarthritis – in its course, the articular cartilage and the entire joint are destroyed. The ailment usually affects the hip joint and the spine;
3. Paget’s disease – a disease that prevents proper bone growth and development; muscle pain and numbness in the legs occur when changes are observed in the area of the spine;
4. bone cancer – a tumor that grows around the bone may cause numbness in the limbs.
Not only are your legs numb, but you also feel swollen? Try CBD gel for tired legs to help fight inflammation. It is available on Medonet Market at an attractive price.
Leg numbness and neurological diseases
Numbness in the legs may occur in the course of diabetic neuropathy. It can cause the patient to lose all feeling in the foot. What is diabetic neuropathy? This ailment is a complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by damage to the nerve endings. Even a minor trauma can lead to serious wounds, such as a diabetic foot. Neuropathy can also be alcohol-related or drug-induced (e.g., anti-cancer drugs). In addition, neuropathy is observed due to the deficiency of B vitamins.
Other neurological ailments causing numbness in the legs are inflammation of the nerves and chronic and acute autoimmune ailments. These include, among others, RA (rheumatoid arthritis), systemic lupus and inflammatory vascular diseases. These diseases mainly affect the joints of the hands, but in some cases they manifest themselves as numbness and stiffness of the feet. Numbness in the legs is also caused by inflammatory polyneuropathy and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Other neurological diseases that may cause numbness in the legs:
- paraesthesia – sensation of sensation and numbness of the limbs appearing as a result of damage to peripheral nerves;
- neurosis – our legs may become numb due to nervous tension.
Do you have nervous problems? Can’t you fall asleep at night? Try a dietary supplement with powdered hop cones and lavender flower extract to soothe your nerves.
Numbness of the legs in diseases of the circulatory system
Given that leg numbness is a symptom of a disturbance in the blood supply to the extremities, the causes could lie in a blood system malfunction. Then we are talking about such ailments as:
transient cerebral ischemia (TIA; paroxysmal), which is characterized by the short-term occurrence of symptoms of brain damage due to temporary ischemia of the nerve tissue in the brain;
peripheral blood vessel disease – in the course of this disease, the blood vessels in the lower extremities become narrowed, which limits the proper blood flow. The consequence of such a state of affairs is atherosclerosis and the presence of fat plaques in the vessels, which block the blood flow and cause leg numbness;
systemic vasculitis – is a condition in which blood vessels are damaged as a result of inflammation; the consequence may be thromboembolic disorders, manifested, inter alia, with numbness of the legs.
Numbness in the legs – how to diagnose?
The basis for the diagnosis of numbness in the legs is to collect a detailed history of the nature of the ailments as well as symptoms and comorbidities. Imaging and laboratory tests as well as nerve conduction tests are helpful. They usually make it possible to establish a potential cause. It is known, however, that in some cases the cause of the ailments remains elusive.
Management of numbness in the legs
If leg numbness occurs as a consequence of dietary deficiencies – supplement the missing minerals. The situation is different when the numbness of the legs is a recurring condition. Then you should go to a specialist who will order the appropriate tests. Spine diseases are very often the cause of leg numbness, so in addition to basic diagnostics, the doctor may order an X-ray examination of the spine and consultation with a neurosurgeon or orthopedist.
To reduce the frequency of symptoms associated with numbness, try the OMRON E3 Intense Electrostimulator, which you can buy today on Medonet Market.
There are times when the cause of the numbness in the legs remains unknown despite the diagnosis.
Do you have worrying symptoms? Make an appointment with an internist using the haloDoctor.pl website
Also read:
- Cereal coffee – types, nutritional values, calorific value, contraindications
- Poles on a diet. What are we doing wrong? Explains the nutritionist
- How to calculate BMI? BMI for pregnant women, athletes, children
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.