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What Causes Numbness And Swelling In The Left Hand?
Question: I have woken very morning for the past six weeks with a numb left hand, which is slightly swollen. Sometimes, by whole left arm is numb, but all improves during the day, but does not go away. (My right hand is slightly numb with no swelling.) I had a blood panel run on Dec 16th and no indication of diabites or lack of Vitamin B12. (I don't know how fast these things evolve.) My hands are cold, especially in the morning. Both of my feet are numb and cold. I have to wear thick socks at night. The bottom of my feet feel like cardboard (skin is stiff). I have had this problem with my feet for years, but the hands are new.
Brief Answer:
peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Numbness or other abnormal sensations (such as cold) may be due to neuropathy in some persons which is abnormal function of the nerves.
There are different possible causes, some of these would have been ruled out with your December check.... diabetes or low vitamin b12
The other possible causes are : (1) trauma- trauma to the nerves supplying this area, this can occur in the neck, as they pass through parts of the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist
Can be arthritis or cervical ribs (ribs in the neck region), direct recent trauma
(2)thyroid disease
(3)low folate levels
(4)liver and kidney disease- this may have been assessed in december as well
(5)exposure to toxins
(6)neurological conditions such as ms- not a common cause
(7)some autoimmune diseases such as lupus, RA
In some persons the cause is not found.
Initial tests for you should include an x ray of the neck and shoulder joint.
The pulses in your feet and ankle should be assessed (re cold and numbness in feet). If the pulses are normal, this may mean that these feelings are due to abnormal nerve function here as well
An x ray of the lower spine would be needed.
If these x rays are normal , then blood tests looking for the other conditions mentioned would be needed
There are medications that can help with neuropathy
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Numbness or other abnormal sensations (such as cold) may be due to neuropathy in some persons which is abnormal function of the nerves.
There are different possible causes, some of these would have been ruled out with your December check.... diabetes or low vitamin b12
The other possible causes are : (1) trauma- trauma to the nerves supplying this area, this can occur in the neck, as they pass through parts of the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist
Can be arthritis or cervical ribs (ribs in the neck region), direct recent trauma
(2)thyroid disease
(3)low folate levels
(4)liver and kidney disease- this may have been assessed in december as well
(5)exposure to toxins
(6)neurological conditions such as ms- not a common cause
(7)some autoimmune diseases such as lupus, RA
In some persons the cause is not found.
Initial tests for you should include an x ray of the neck and shoulder joint.
The pulses in your feet and ankle should be assessed (re cold and numbness in feet). If the pulses are normal, this may mean that these feelings are due to abnormal nerve function here as well
An x ray of the lower spine would be needed.
If these x rays are normal , then blood tests looking for the other conditions mentioned would be needed
There are medications that can help with neuropathy
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the very complete response. I do have a periodic pain in my left shoulder, which intensifies when I lift my arm up to shoulder level or higher. I thought this was related to throwing a ball for my dog. I am not sure if the two events are synchronized or not. What practice can I have this checked out by?
This could explain the left arm/hand, which is most severe. However, I still have the other limbs to resolve through your suggestions.
This could explain the left arm/hand, which is most severe. However, I still have the other limbs to resolve through your suggestions.
Brief Answer:
your GP can initiate the investigations for you
Detailed Answer:
HI
Your GP should be able to initiate your investigations, I know that I have done with persons with a history that is suggestive of neuropathy
If this is not an option however, a neurologist would be a definite option.
Your GP may have to refer to neurology at some point anyway depending on the findings
If there are any other queries, can let me know
your GP can initiate the investigations for you
Detailed Answer:
HI
Your GP should be able to initiate your investigations, I know that I have done with persons with a history that is suggestive of neuropathy
If this is not an option however, a neurologist would be a definite option.
Your GP may have to refer to neurology at some point anyway depending on the findings
If there are any other queries, can let me know
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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