Numbness
SOURCE: www.NationalMSSociety.org and www.NLM.NIH.gov/Medlineplus
Numbness of the face, body or extremities (arms and legs) is one of the most common symptoms of MS. Often it’s the first symptom experienced by those eventually diagnosed with MS. The numbness may be mild or so severe that it interferes with the ability to use the affected body part. For example, a person with very numb feet may have difficulty walking. Numb hands may prevent writing, dressing, or holding objects safely.
Caution Advised Regarding Eating and Hot Objects
People with MS who have severe facial numbness should be very careful when eating or chewing, as they may unwittingly bite the inside of their mouth or tongue. People with numbness over other parts of the body should be careful around fires, hot water and other sources of heat, as they may suffer a burn without realizing it.
There are no medications to relieve numbness. Fortunately, however, most instances of numbness are not disabling, and tend to remit on their own. In very severe cases, a neurologist may prescribe a brief course of corticosteroids, which often can temporarily restore sensation.
There are many possible causes:
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Remaining in the same seated or standing position for a long time |
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Injury to a nerve -- for example, a neck injury may cause you to feel numbness anywhere along your arm or hand, while a low back injury can cause numbness or tingling down the back of your leg |
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Pressure on the spinal nerves such as that due to a herniated disk |
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Lack of blood supply to an area -- for example, plaque buildup from atherosclerosis in the legs can cause pain, numbness, and tingling while walking (this is called vascular claudication) |
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Other medical conditions, including: | |
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Carpal tunnel syndrome |
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Diabetes |
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Migraines |
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Multiple sclerosis |
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Seizures |
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Stroke |
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Transient ischemic attack (TIA) | |
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Underactive thyroid |
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Abnormal levels of calcium, potassium, or sodium in your body |
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A lack of vitamin B12 or other vitamin |
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Certain medications |
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Toxic action on nerves, such as that from lead, alcohol, or tobacco |
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Radiation therapy |
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Variations
Numbness may be mild or so severe that it interferes with everyday activity.