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What Does Numbness In The Hands And Tongue Indicate?
Question: I am a 65 year old female. In the past two months I've been experiencing progressive numbness and tingling in my left hand. Initially, the numbness was just in the tip of my thumb; now it is my thumb, index and middle finger and progressing down my hand. Additionally, I've noticed the same in my right hand but localized in my thumb and index finger. Finally in the last week I've been experiencing similar numbness on the tip of my tongue.
Brief Answer:
may be peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Numbness and other altered sensations are due abnormal function of the nerves in the particular area.
This is called neuropathy.
It can be temporary or permanent and there are different possible causes.
Some of the more common causes are--(1) vitamin b12 and folate deficiency
(2)Diabetes
(3)trauma to the nerves eg arthritis of the neck or shoulders can compress or cause changes to the nerves to the hands
(4)abnormal levels of vitamin b6
(5)thyroid disease
(6)liver or kidney disease
(7)infection such as shingles
(8)exposure to toxins
(9)neurological conditions such as stroke
(10)autoimmune diseases such as ms
An x ray of the neck and shoulders and blood tests (Eg thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver screen, screen for diabetes, complete blood count, vitamin levels) would be needed for assessment.
In some persons, the symptoms stop on their own
If they continue or worsen, you would need assessment.
There are medications that can help reduce numbness and other altered sensations.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
may be peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Numbness and other altered sensations are due abnormal function of the nerves in the particular area.
This is called neuropathy.
It can be temporary or permanent and there are different possible causes.
Some of the more common causes are--(1) vitamin b12 and folate deficiency
(2)Diabetes
(3)trauma to the nerves eg arthritis of the neck or shoulders can compress or cause changes to the nerves to the hands
(4)abnormal levels of vitamin b6
(5)thyroid disease
(6)liver or kidney disease
(7)infection such as shingles
(8)exposure to toxins
(9)neurological conditions such as stroke
(10)autoimmune diseases such as ms
An x ray of the neck and shoulders and blood tests (Eg thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver screen, screen for diabetes, complete blood count, vitamin levels) would be needed for assessment.
In some persons, the symptoms stop on their own
If they continue or worsen, you would need assessment.
There are medications that can help reduce numbness and other altered sensations.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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