Has ALS And Is In A Persistent Vegetative State. What Is Causing Cold, Redness In Arm And Hot Arm?

Posted on Fri, 21 Sep 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 Answered on

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has ALS and is in a Persistent Vegetative state for the past 9 months. Today his left upper arm is red and feels hot and the lower arm is ashy and feels cold. What can be causing this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The redness of the upper arm and ashy lower arm is likely to be due to affection of the cholinergic nerve fibres. This might be a short term self limiting problem.
Other cause can be due to nerve pinching at the level of cervical spine. Avoiding using a pillow might help in reducing these symptoms.
It needs an evaluation by a neurologist in case the symptoms are persistent.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (26 hours later)

Can it also be due to poor circulation?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
It can be due to a poor circulation in the area but the vasoconstriction is likely to be due to a nerve degeneration. An evaluation by a neurologist will be helpful.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar