Things to know when examining numbness of hands and feet

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi My - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International Hospital.
Numbness in the limbs is a common condition in anyone from children to adults, especially for the elderly, this phenomenon is even more common. If we do not go to the doctor to know the cause and treat it properly, prolonged numbness of the limbs will lead to many dangerous complications for the patient.

1. Complications of prolonged numbness in the limbs

Most of us are subjective with numbness in our limbs. However, few people know that prolonged numbness of the limbs causes many dangers and is detrimental to daily life activities.
Numbness in the limbs is a manifestation and cause of many different diseases, usually diseases related to bones and joints, nerves such as cervical spondylosis, shoulder joint, spine, diabetes, pathology about blood vessels (arteries, veins)... Therefore, when there are signs of numbness in the limbs, the patient should be examined to determine the cause of the cause in order to orient the correct treatment.
Severe, prolonged numbness of the limbs will cause the level of numbness and pain to increase, making it difficult to move for the patient. Manifestations of severe progressive numbness of the limbs are weak movement of the limbs, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, widespread numbness causing pain along the entire arm, difficulty in grip, and difficulty walking. In addition, if numbness in the limbs is caused by degeneration of the spine, neck, back, and waist, the patient also feels pain in the shoulder, neck, prolonged low back pain, pain along the nerve line, numbness on the outside of the leg. legs, feet, difficult to move, heavier patients may fall into a state of disordered urination and defecation when complications are severe without treatment.

2. What you need to know when examining and treating numbness of limbs

To minimize the complications mentioned above, patients need to see a doctor when they have symptoms and receive timely treatment. When going to the clinic for numbness of the limbs, the patient will be performed imaging methods such as x-ray of the cervical spine with upright, inclined (left, right), oblique or shoulder joint (straight) positions. lean).
If necessary, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be performed. In addition, doctors will exploit health information, medical history, and occupational characteristics of the patient to combine diagnosis and conclude where numbness in the limbs is caused. From there, come up with the right treatment plan.
Patients with numbness in the limbs due to physiology do not need to worry too much, just pay attention to increase movement, exercise, and massage the limbs, especially the area with numbness often.
But the cases of numbness in the limbs due to pathology, it is necessary to have an appropriate treatment regimen. Accordingly, the patient will be prescribed to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in combination with paracetamol. B vitamins orally or by injection (according to the doctor's instructions). May be combined with peripheral vasodilators.

Along with that, it is combined with treating the root cause of the disease that causes numbness in the limbs such as:
Diabetes: Good blood sugar control Blood lipid metabolism disorders: Control blood lipids at a safe level Disease Vascular disease (varicose veins, peripheral arterial disease): need to do intensive testing and appropriate treatment. Vitamin deficiency: Vitamin supplements Arthritis: Treatment of arthritis Intoxication: Treatment of intoxication... Thus, examination when detecting numbness of the limbs is very important to orient the correct and effective treatment, avoid to long term condition. Especially for the elderly, who are prone to bone and joint diseases that cause numbness in hands and feet, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
Master. American doctor has more than 6 years of experience as an internal medicine doctor at Hue Central Hospital, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital; Tam Tri Hospital Da Nang; Danang Hospital. Currently, he is a General Internal Medicine Doctor at Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

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