what causes your legs to go numb and spasms

Leg numbness is a condition in which you feel a loss of sensation in i or both legs. It can be temporary as a effect of sitting on your legs or staying still for as well long. In some cases, however, it tin can point a more serious underlying condition. Numbness, or paresthesia, occurs when at that place is a problem with the fretfulness sending signals to the brain. A numb leg may occur with feelings of tingling or "pins and needles," and it may outcome in falling over if you try to put weight on the limb.

Typically, you lot will not feel sensations such as a light touch, pain, or temperature on a numb leg. This makes it harder to exist enlightened of any injury or sores.

The loss of awareness in the leg may disappear speedily. However, if the numbness persists, a doctor will be able to deport out tests to identify any underlying conditions.

Read on to notice out more than most the causes of leg numbness, besides equally related symptoms and treatment options.

Symptoms of leg numbness

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When leg numbness occurs, you may experience a range of sensations in your leg.

Some symptoms you lot might feel with a numb leg include:

• numbness
• tingles
• pins and needles
• skin crawling
• itchiness

Temporary numbness typically occurs if you sit with your legs crossed for likewise long or if you lot sit down on one leg for likewise long. Once the pressure from the nerve is released, the awareness apace goes abroad.

However, if your leg is often numb without reason, or if you experience astringent pain alongside the numbness, this could be a symptom of an underlying status.

If leg numbness does not go away on its own afterwards a few minutes, or if you experience leg numbness that you cannot relate to your posture or position, seek medical communication.

Contact your doctor if your leg might exist numb due to a contempo injury or if you lot detect that any of the following symptoms occur alongside leg numbness:

• rash
• musculus spasms
• more than frequent urination
• slurred speech
• reduced vision
• weakness
• pain
• a loss of bowel or bladder control

Seek immediate medical attending if you experience numbness and any of the following:

• paralysis
• difficulty talking
• a sudden severe headache
• confusion
• dizziness

What causes leg numbness?

Temporary leg numbness may occur if you take been sitting in the same position for an extended flow of time, as this compresses the fretfulness in that area. If this is the case, the numbness should get away after a few minutes.

However, a numb leg tin be a symptom of a recent injury or an underlying condition that either restricts blood menstruum or causes injury to the nerves.

Some examples of conditions that can cause leg numbness include:

• migraine
• Raynaud'due south disease
• fibromyalgia
• diabetes
• chronic kidney illness
• stroke
• brain tumor or abscess
• multiple sclerosis
• seizure
• underactive thyroid
• pare damage, such as frostbite or shingles
• deep gluteal syndrome
• piriformis syndrome

Y'all may also experience leg numbness due to:

• a recent injury
• radiations therapy
• unusual levels of some vitamins and minerals in your body
• hardening of the arteries
• chemotherapy medications
• excessive alcohol use
• tobacco use

If you experience leg numbness frequently or if the sensation does not become away later on a few minutes, contact your doctor to discuss this.

Diagnosing the cause of leg numbness

Your dr. volition be able to carry out a number of tests to decide the crusade of your leg numbness.

These tests volition depend on other symptoms you lot may be experiencing but might include:

• tests for peripheral nerve disorders, such every bit:
  • a neurological test to examination tendon reflexes and muscle strength and tone
  • an examination to exam sensation
  • a blood test
  • urinalysis
  • a thyroid function examination
• tests for spinal stenosis, such as:
  • a CT scan
  • an MRI scan
  • a bone density scan
• tests for a stroke, such every bit:
  • an arteriogram
  • a carotid ultrasonogram
  • a magnetic resonance angiogram
• tests for deep gluteal syndrome, such every bit:
  • an MRI browse
  • a CT scan
• tests for piriformis syndrome with sciatica, such as:
  • an MRI scan
  • a CT scan
  • physically moving the leg to check hurting levels

Your md will be able to consider all of your symptoms before conveying out or arranging tests for you. Inform your doctor of any symptoms that you experience may exist relevant to aid with an accurate diagnosis.

Treatments for leg numbness

Treatments for leg numbness will depend on the cause and symptoms.

For example, if a leg numb occurs due to spinal stenosis, handling options may include physical therapy such as massage, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or surgery.

When numbness occurs due to nerve harm, treatments tin include medications, peel creams, physical therapy, and sleeping with a bed cradle to prevent blankets and sheets from adding weight to the legs.

Long-term numbness may require treatment with medications such every bit antidepressants, corticosteroids, gabapentin, or pregabalin.

Following a diagnosis, your doctor will advise on the best treatment options for you.

Complications of leg numbness

When your leg is numb, it increases your risk of falling over or hurting yourself. If you experience temporary numbness in your leg, it is best to remain still until the numbness passes.

Having a numb leg likewise means that you are more likely to feel an injury or sore without being able to feel it. If this happens and the injury goes untreated for any length of time, it may atomic number 82 to farther complications.

Ignoring a numb leg may cause underlying conditions to worsen. Information technology is of import to contact your medico if you experience frequent or astringent numbness, particularly if you lot cannot identify the crusade of the numbness. This will aid reduce the take chances of complications that result from leg numbness.

How to forbid a numb leg

The following steps may help forestall leg numbness:

• Massage your leg to improve blood flow.
• Use an ice pack or heat pack to the area for around 15 minutes, taking care not to damage the skin with extreme temperatures.
• Exercise oft to encourage blood flow and improve circulation.
• Consume a salubrious diet and avert alcohol.
• Make sure you get plenty rest.

If you lot are prone to leg numbness, contact your doc to discuss the types of preventive methods that may be all-time for you.
If you experience leg numbness every bit a symptom of some other condition, it is best to contact your doctor earlier taking any preventive steps.

Summary

Temporary leg numbness is a mutual sensation that occurs as a outcome of sitting on the leg or staying notwithstanding for likewise long. Notwithstanding, if leg numbness occurs frequently or does not go away after a few minutes, it could be a symptom of an underlying status.

Your doctor will be able to assess your other symptoms and adjust diagnostic tests, which might include an MRI or CT scan, and physical exams to test your leg movement. Post-obit diagnosis, they will advise on suitable treatments to alleviate leg numbness and whatever other symptoms that may occur due to an underlying condition.

Information technology is also possible to help forbid the onset of leg numbness by massaging your leg, applying an ice or heat pack, and frequently

exercising. This encourages claret flow and circulation.

Contact your doctor if you feel persistent leg numbness or if your numb leg occurs alongside other symptoms.

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Source: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/leg-numbness