Numbness in the extremities is one of the common health problems, and sometimes it is due to the wrong sitting position, and at other times it heralds a serious health problem such as blood flow disorders.
Simple reasons
German neurologist Professor Claudia Sommer said that numbness in the extremities has many causes, some of which are simple and some of which are serious, explaining that the simple causes are uncomfortable sleep or sitting cross-legged for a long time.
Numbness of the extremities is a common condition in the elderly, usually around the age of 50, because the connective tissue becomes less rigid with age.
In the case of minor causes, numbness in the limbs can be eliminated through movement and stretching the limbs.
Circulatory disorders
For his part, German vascular surgery specialist Professor Alexander Oberhuber pointed out that the continued feeling of numbness in the extremities heralds a serious health problem such as circulatory disorders, which occur due to blood clotting or calcification of the arteries, where the muscles do not receive sufficient blood flow and the nerves are slowly exposed to damage.
The risk of developing serious circulatory disorders can be reduced by following a healthy lifestyle based on healthy nutrition, that is, reducing the consumption of red meat in particular, with a focus on Mediterranean cuisine, that is, eating a lot of legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts, in addition to quitting smoking and continuing to exercise and exercise activities.
Herniated disc
Numbness in the extremities may also indicate a herniated disc, which occurs when disc tissue puts pressure on the nerves. If the cervical vertebrae are affected, this will appear in the hands and/or fingers. If the lumbar vertebrae are affected, sensory disturbances appear in the buttocks and/or legs.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in the hand
Numbness in the extremities may also be due to carpal tunnel syndrome in the hand, which often occurs due to excessive stress on the wrist, for example due to working on the computer.
German neurologist Sommer explained that the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel, which is the passage between the hand and the forearm. If there is not enough space, his signals will not reach the hand correctly. The thumb, index and middle fingers, in particular, often feel tingling, numb or painful.
Ulnar nerve palsy
Professor Oberhuber pointed out that the causes of numbness in the extremities also include “ulnar nerve paralysis,” also known as “cyclist’s paralysis.” Road cyclists are particularly affected, as fixing the bicycle handlebar in a certain position can put pressure on the ulnar nerve in the arm, which may lead to long-term damage.
The ring and little fingers are particularly affected. Properly adjusting your handlebars, regular braking, and wearing well-padded gloves can help avoid this condition.