Lost That Feeling? When to Worry About Numbness

Numbness is technically the loss of sensation in some part of the body, usually caused by irritation to the nerve endings.

Numbness is often as harmless as having your leg fall asleep from sitting cross-legged on the floor with your kids. But sometimes numbness is a sign of a serious problem such as a stroke or tumor. Because numbness is such a common symptom, it’s important to see a medical specialist if you have any persistent numbness.

Seek emergency help if numbness:

• Follows a head injury
• Occurs very suddenly
• Is accompanied by dizziness, weakness, inability to speak, or a sudden headache
• Involves your entire arm or leg

But numbness is not always one of the acute symptoms of a medical emergency. Often it is a symptom of a problem that can be addressed at an office visit. Schedule an appointment if you have numbness that:

• Comes and goes
• Worsens slowly
• Affects only your toes or fingers (vs. your whole arm or leg)
• Occurs with a specific activity or under specific conditions

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