Paraesthesia and Numbness

Numbness and tingling (paresthesia) are abnormal sensations which may be felt anywhere in the body. Most commonly, they may be sensed in the hands, arms, feet or legs. The sensation of numbness or tingling is a sign unrecognized from the mind and signals that something isn't right. The issue can come out of a nerve impingement because it exits the spinal column or peripheral stimulation being muddled before or after the mind gets the information.

Most often, problems coming in the neck (cervical spine) result in a huge array of symptoms. Pain, ache, numbness, and tingling are a couple of of the senses interpreted by the mind. In fact, the senses are warning signals to the brain that something is wrong. Numbness in one of the extremities is the most common issue which can be equated with a peripheral neuropathy, more commonly referred to as a"pinched nerve." Technically, a nerve doesn't actually get"pinched," but it's the word which makes sense to most people. However, the true feeling of a peripheral neuropathy in the arms and hands can definitely feel like something has been pinched.

There are a billion nerve fibers in your body which are clumped together in packages called nerves. These nerves travel within the spinal column and then exit through openings between the vertebrae. After leaving the spinal column, the nerves divide into smaller and smaller packages and go to every nook and cranny within the body. The nerves which exit the neck are spread in the shoulder, hand and arm. They travel in a giant nerve group known as the brachial plexus. The nerve can become entrapped in a number of areas between the neck and hands.

Depending on which nerves are damaged, symptoms may appear in various regions of the extremity. Initial signs of a peripheral entrapment syndrome (pinched nerve) come mostly in the involved muscle. A decent nerve source must be present for many muscles to operate effectively. Therefore, when a nerve travel to supply a muscle gets pinched, the muscle will become weak and then start to fasciculate (twitch). Deinnervation (restricted nerve distribution ) of this muscle causes muscle wasting provided by that specific nerve. A peripheral neuropathy will always follow a particular pattern of distribution.

Symptoms vary and will need to be carefully described as to their specific nature. Thus, a careful evaluation of the patient's complaint is essential for accurate evaluation of the patient's condition.

In fact, numbness or tingling in one or more extremity doesn't always indicate a pathological condition is present. Various cells may be involved with the identical type of symptoms. Mode of harm should always be carefully considered. By way of instance, injury to an area may cause vascular, or neurological, compromise. Other considerations for diagnosis might include a metabolic disease, overuse syndrome, intervertebral disk syndrome, fracture, vascular compromise resulting in ischemia, tumor, canal stenosis (nerve root lesion), peripheral entrapment neuropathy, or suprasegmental participation of central structures (brain, brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord).