Why numbness in arms

Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke is critical to preventing death or permanent damage. Numbness or tingling can sometimes be a sign of multiple sclerosis , a disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the nerve coating, called myelin, in the central nervous system.

Other common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include vision problems, such as blurriness and double vision, as well as fatigue, muscle weakness and loss of balance and coordination. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, and one type of seizure, called a partial or focal seizure, can be associated with abnormal sensations such as numbness or tingling of the skin.

Partial seizures are the most common type of seizure. Partial seizures can manifest in different ways, with a wide array of symptoms that range from abnormal muscle contraction or eye movements to sweating or hallucinations. Are you concerned about arm numbness and tingling? Numbness of limbs can cause various feelings in different parts of the arms and legs or throughout the limbs.

It can include the following:. Numbness can have many different characteristics, including what makes the sensation worse, how the numbness starts and progresses, and where exactly the feeling of numbness is located. However, numbness can be a symptom of a serious condition if it occurs alongside symptoms such as:.

In such cases, a stroke may be the cause. This is a medical emergency that requires prompt medical attention to prevent loss of significant brain tissue. This may indicate the presence of a brain tumor , which also requires urgent medical attention. Numerous medical conditions have numbness of limbs as a possible symptom. Women in their third trimester of pregnancy can also commonly experience tingling and numbness in the limbs due to body swelling that puts pressure on nerves.

Seek immediate emergency medical treatment if you experience the following symptoms related to, or in addition to, numbness:. Because limb numbness can be due to many factors, doctors often use a comprehensive workup to determine its cause.

This includes:. A doctor will ask about previous health conditions as well as when the numbness started. When to Contact a Medical Professional. Go to a hospital or call your local emergency number such as if: You have weakness or are unable to move, along with numbness or tingling Numbness or tingling occur just after a head, neck, or back injury You cannot control the movement of an arm or a leg, or you have lost bladder or bowel control You are confused or have lost consciousness, even briefly You have slurred speech, a change in vision, difficulty walking, or weakness Call your provider if: Numbness or tingling has no obvious cause like a hand or foot "falling asleep" You have pain in your neck, forearm, or fingers You are urinating more often Numbness or tingling is in your legs and gets worse when you walk You have a rash You have dizziness, muscle spasm, or other unusual symptoms.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit. Blood tests that may be ordered include: Complete blood count CBC Electrolyte level measurement of body chemicals and minerals and liver function tests Thyroid function tests Measurement of vitamin levels, particularly vitamin B12 Heavy metal or toxicology screening Sedimentation rate C-reactive protein Imaging tests may include: Angiogram a test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the blood vessels CT angiogram CT scan of the head CT scan of the spine MRI of the head MRI of the spine Ultrasound of neck vessels to determine your risk for TIA or stroke Vascular ultrasound X-ray of the affected area Other tests that may be done include: Electromyography and nerve conduction studies to measure how your muscles respond to nerve stimulation Lumbar puncture spinal tap to rule out central nervous system disorders Cold stimulation test may be done to check for Raynaud phenomenon Genetic testing for nerve problems that run in families.

Alternative Names. Sensory loss; Paresthesias; Tingling and numbness; Loss of sensation; Pins and needles sensation. Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Neurologic Diseases Read more. Peripheral Nerve Disorders Read more. Because of this, taking breaks to let your wrists and arms rest is a good first step to keep CTS symptoms at bay. CTS suffers are often given wrist splints to wear to hold their wrists in place.

Other treatments are ice, cortisone shots, physical therapy, and surgery. Tennis elbow is a term used to describe swollen tendons in the elbow that can cause pain in the outer elbow, weakness, numbness, and tingling. It gets its name because it is a common injury for people who play tennis.

Home remedies for tennis elbow are resting your arm, ice, and taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. If home remedies do not relieve your symptoms, you can try using an elbow strap or getting physical therapy. A physical therapist can help you. A pinched nerve in the neck cervical radiculopathy can cause numbness in the arm and hand, along with pain and weakness. Home remedies for a pinched nerve are rest, heat, ice, and taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory.

If these treatments do not relieve your symptoms or if your pain is severe or recurring, go see your doctor. Thoracic outlet syndrome refers to three types of disorders that involve nerves or blood vessels that are being compressed in the upper torso and throat.

Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling in the neck or arms.