What Can Numbness Tell Us?

• Numbness of the thumb, point-finger, middle-finger, and ring-finger (Half part of the ring-finger): This might be a sign of pinched nerve in the hand (Carpal tunnel syndrome). It occurs when the tissue on the bones of the hand was pressed and it causes tissue swelling, enlarged or narrowed hand bones, abnormal hand blood flow, or degenerative and thick hand membrane.
• Numbness of the thumb, index-finger, middle-finger, and pain in the hand and arm: This might be a sign of pinched nerve in the hand which is caused by overuse of the hand such as using a knife, scissors, hairdryer, and computer for hours. The patient usually has the symptoms during bedtime or when waking up in the morning.
• Numbness of the pinky-finger: This might be a sign of pinched ulnar nerve which is the nerve around the armpit down to the pinky-finger. It is caused by bending the arm and holding the phone for hours.
• Numbness on the tip of the toes and fingers: This might be a sign of peripheral neuropathy (peripheral nerve inflammation) or Vitamin B1, B6, or B12 deficiency which might be caused by kidney disease, cancer, and some kind of medicine or chemical. 
• Numbness on the tip of the fingers before bedtime or in the middle of the night: This might be caused by overuse of the hand such as riding a motorcycle or using the smartphone continuously for hours which leads to pinched nerve in the wrist.
• Numbness of the ring-finger, pinky-finger, and the side of the hand: This might be caused by pinched lunar nerve in the elbow (Cubital tunnel syndrome) which leads to abnormal blood flow. To avoid numbness, the patient should adjust the sitting or sleeping posture.
• Numbness between the thumb and the index-finger: This might be caused by pinched nerve in the arm. To avoid numbness, the patient should avoid resting the arms on the armchair.
• Numbness of the arm down to the fingers: This might be caused by cervical spondylosis. The patient should seek medical treatment immediately.
• Numbness in the hindfoot up to the shin: This might be caused by sitting leg crossed, sitting on the floor for hours which leads to pinched nerve under the knee. 
• Numbness of the foot up to the hip: This might be a sign of herniated nucleus pulposus. The patient should seek medical treatment immediately. 
• Numbness on the tip of the toes, foot sole, ankle, and up to the knee and body: The symptoms usually occur in alcohol-addicted people because a lot of nerves were destroyed As a side effect of alcohol consumption.

However, lifestyle changes and exercise may help improve the symptoms. But, if the numbness persists over 2-3 days and is not improving, and numbness spreads to other parts of the body, it is better to consult the neurologist for an evaluation and to receive proper treatment. For further information or making an appointment, please contact Neuroscience Center, Vejthani Hospital.