Any doctors? nurses? anyone that can help!...My hand is numb why?!
Question:
Any doctors? nurses? anyone that can help!...My hand is numb why?
Well lately my left hand has gone numb.. on the left side.. and it really hurts a lot. It's painful... It's been like this for 7 days and a half now... and I don't know what is going on...My mother thinks is because i'm fat...... I stand 5'11.. Last month i was 250 pounds.. and today I am 270.. i been gaining weight like crazy.. now faster than ever. i gained 150 pounds in 4 years... and i'm scared.. badly.... im going to the doctor july 12 but i need to know what to do now... like what helps to aliviate the numbness because it wont go away.. ive tried eveything.. is my weight causing this? or can someone help..
Answers:
The cause of Hand numbness may be more easily identified if other symptoms exist. Abnormal nerve sensations such as pins-and-needles, tingling, burning, prickling or similar feelings are all known as "paresthesias". They usually result from nerve damage due to pressure, entrapment, or nerve diseases. Continued nerve damage can lead to hand numbness and permanent loss of feeling. Any abnormal sensation needs medical investigation.
The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Hand paresthesia. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.
* Paresthesias
* Tingling fingers
* Finger paresthesias
* Nerve compression
* Nerve entrapment
* Multiple sclerosis
* Guillain-Barre syndrome
* Vitamin B12 deficiency
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Hand paresthesia. Some of these are listed below :
* General appearance - abnormal posture, muscle wasting, abnormal arm movements.
* Physical examination
o May be necessary to examine a variety of joints including the cervical spine, shoulder, elbow , wrists and the various joints of the hand
o Test muscle tone, power, reflexes and co-ordination of upper limbs
o Test sensation of upper limbs ( including pain , touch , temperature and vibration sensation)
What areas of the hand are affected by the paresthesia ? - can help determine which nerves are affected e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome causes paresthesia of the pulps of the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger; peripheral neuropathy typically causes a glove and stocking sensory loss to hands and feet; C8 spinal cord or nerve root lesion causes paresthesia of the little finger; C7 spinal cord or nerve root lesion cause paresthesia of the middle finger; C6 spinal cord or nerve root lesion causes paresthesia of the outer side of the forearm and thumb.