Why legs go numb and what to do
The content of the article:
- Legs grow numb: reasons
- Signs and accompanying symptoms
-
What to do if feet go numb
- General recommendations
- Signs that emergency medical attention is required
- How to treat
- Traditional methods
- Video
The condition when legs become numb probably occurs in almost every person more than once throughout their life and in most cases is not dangerous. Sometimes it may resemble a slight tingling sensation, and some patients may experience painful sensations or complete loss of sensation.
In most cases, numbness in the legs is easily relieved and is not a dangerous condition.
Legs grow numb: reasons
The main cause of numbness in the legs is poor circulation (when blood vessels are compressed) due to prolonged uncomfortable posture. Circulatory disorders can also occur against the background of thrombosis, atherosclerotic vascular lesions.
Numbness in the legs can be caused by injury or compression of nerve endings. Pathology is often observed against the background of compression of the common peroneal nerve, which can occur in its various parts with:
- knee injuries;
- fracture of the bones of the lower limb;
- infectious processes;
- oncological diseases;
- diabetes mellitus;
- renal failure;
- using illegal drugs.
Numbness of the limbs can also be observed in the following conditions:
- osteochondrosis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- stroke;
- immunodeficiency states;
- tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease);
- lack of vitamin B 12 in the body;
- taking certain medications (especially chemotherapy drugs).
Signs and accompanying symptoms
The nature of the numbness and the symptoms that it often accompanies with various pathologies:
| condition | Symptoms |
| Common peroneal nerve compression syndrome | Numbness is usually noted on the inside of the lower leg and / or in the area of the foot. |
| Circulatory disorders | Fingers may become cold, there may be swelling, hyperemia of the skin, pain in the legs. |
| Intervertebral hernia | Numbness and weakness in both lower extremities (unilateral lesion is not typical), intense pain in the area of the affected disc, which can radiate to the buttocks, thighs, lower legs. There may also be tingling, burning, sensory loss, pelvic disorders (urination, defecation, erectile dysfunction). |
| Stroke, transient ischemic attack, brain neoplasms |
Numbness of one half of the body (right or left arm and leg, corresponding to half of the face and trunk), dizziness, headache, speech disorders, loss of orientation in space and time, weakness may occur. |
| Multiple sclerosis | The development of certain symptoms depends on which parts of the brain are involved in the pathological process. In addition to numbness, patients may experience disturbances in the sense organs, difficulty walking, cognitive impairment, dizziness, headache, depression, disorders of the urinary system, changes in sexual behavior, etc. |
What to do if feet go numb
Treatment for leg numbness depends on why the condition developed.
General recommendations
- Quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
- Avoid physical and mental overload, at the same time, avoid physical inactivity.
- Do not sit with your head lowered; crossing your legs.
- Constantly fight improper posture.
- Do not wear tight shoes.
- While resting, lie for a while with your legs raised above body level.
Signs that emergency medical attention is required
The patient should seek medical attention as soon as possible in the following cases:
- Numbness has occurred following an injury to the head, neck, and / or back.
- Impaired consciousness, speech, vision, severe headache are observed.
- Numbness of the entire limb is noted.
How to treat
The tactics of treating numbness of the legs for various diseases are presented in the table.
| Intervertebral hernia | Therapy with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can bring relief; surgery is a radical method of treatment. |
| Osteocondritis of the spine | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy methods can be prescribed, massage can be done. Symptoms usually subside within 4-6 weeks from the onset, and remission occurs. |
| Common peroneal nerve compression syndrome | Elimination of compression, anti-inflammatory, improving blood circulation therapy. In some cases, an operation may be required. |
| Diabetic neuropathy | Avoid injury to the lower extremities (comfortable shoes, medical pedicure, etc.), control of blood glucose levels. |
Traditional methods
Alternative therapy methods are not highly effective, but at the same time they can help with minor circulatory disorders, as well as with other pathologies as part of a comprehensive treatment.
- Infusion of sweet clover. To prepare the product, 1 teaspoon of dry raw materials is poured with 1 glass of boiling water, infused for 10 minutes and drunk 2 glasses a day.
- Camphor ointment. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the product, it is recommended to rub the affected limb before bedtime.
- Contrasting baths. It is recommended to spend 15 minutes alternately in cool (20 ° С) and hot water (up to 43 ° С).
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
Found a mistake in the text? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
