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I Get Numb In My Fingers And Feet Is It Due To Overuse Or Do I Have A Deficiency ?
Question: I get numb in my fingers and feet when I keep it in the same position for more than 10-15 minutes, even using it in a steady way like using the computer mouse and also treadmill for 20 minutes or more sometimes (my right foot feels slightly numb). Is it due to overuse or do I have a deficiency as I am trying to lose weight and am having 2 meals a day only (breakfast at 8 am, meal at 3:30 pm and fruits only at night) or something else? Waiting for your opinion, thank you so much doctor.
Brief Answer:
Hi. Get your blood sugars tested and vitamin(B12) levels tested
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Numbness may be normal due to excessive work or overuse as you may say. But at your age one main thing that has to be ruled out is diabetes, which is the most common cause of numbness in hands and legs. So in case you have not checked your blood sugars, you need to check fasting blood sugar and post prandial blood sugar (2 hours after meals). This will tell you definitely whether you are having diabetes or not.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also be one of the causes of numbness. You can get a blood test done to detect it. But i suggest you to consult a physician or neurologist and get evaluated in detail and get a prescription for blood test.
Other causes of numbness in hands may be due to conditions like- Carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve that provides feeling to your hand becomes pinched or obstructed. This condition often causes numbness in the thumb and index and middle fingers.
In case of smokers one of the cause of numbness is a condition called Raynaud’s disease. Raynaud’s disease causes the small arteries in your fingers to spasm, or open and close very fast. This can cause numbness and affect your circulation.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes swelling, tenderness, and pain in the joints. This condition can also lead to tingling, numbness, and burning in the hands. But as per your history, which is just numbness, it looks unlikely.
In very uncommon instances, numbness can be caused by problems in your brain or spinal cord, although in such cases arm or hand weakness or loss of function also occurs.
So i suggest you to first get your blood sugars tested and rule out diabetes and also vitamin levels tested. In case you do not have diabetes or vitamin deficiency and still having this problem of numbness you can consult a neurologist and get evaluated in detail who may do some nerve function tests and see if there is any pathology.
Regards-
Dr Sanjay kini
Hi. Get your blood sugars tested and vitamin(B12) levels tested
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Numbness may be normal due to excessive work or overuse as you may say. But at your age one main thing that has to be ruled out is diabetes, which is the most common cause of numbness in hands and legs. So in case you have not checked your blood sugars, you need to check fasting blood sugar and post prandial blood sugar (2 hours after meals). This will tell you definitely whether you are having diabetes or not.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also be one of the causes of numbness. You can get a blood test done to detect it. But i suggest you to consult a physician or neurologist and get evaluated in detail and get a prescription for blood test.
Other causes of numbness in hands may be due to conditions like- Carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve that provides feeling to your hand becomes pinched or obstructed. This condition often causes numbness in the thumb and index and middle fingers.
In case of smokers one of the cause of numbness is a condition called Raynaud’s disease. Raynaud’s disease causes the small arteries in your fingers to spasm, or open and close very fast. This can cause numbness and affect your circulation.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes swelling, tenderness, and pain in the joints. This condition can also lead to tingling, numbness, and burning in the hands. But as per your history, which is just numbness, it looks unlikely.
In very uncommon instances, numbness can be caused by problems in your brain or spinal cord, although in such cases arm or hand weakness or loss of function also occurs.
So i suggest you to first get your blood sugars tested and rule out diabetes and also vitamin levels tested. In case you do not have diabetes or vitamin deficiency and still having this problem of numbness you can consult a neurologist and get evaluated in detail who may do some nerve function tests and see if there is any pathology.
Regards-
Dr Sanjay kini
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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