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Suggest Remedy For Numbness On Feet

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: they front, bottom of my feet feel like
they are asleep most of the time. what could cause that
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can be due to nerves or poor circulation

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Numbness in the feet can be due to problems with the blood supply or nerve supply to the feet.

If you have a history of high blood pressure , high cholesterol or smoking then it may be the blood supply. Your doctor can determine this by checking the pulses by the ankles and feet to see if you have PVD (peripheral vascular disease- poor circulation)

If you do not have a history of any of these problems then it may be due to the nerves, this would be called neuropathy.

A doctor can also examine the nerves in the lower limbs to see if they have any problems.

Causes would be: (1)diabetes
(2)vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(3)trauma to the nerves
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)side effect of medication
(6)idiopathic- cause not known
(7)infections- shingles
(8)exposure to toxins
(9)some hormonal conditions such as abnormal thyroid

To find out the cause, you would need blood tests (vitamin b12 and folate levels, liver, kidney tests, thyroid function test, complete blood count, check for diabetes)

When the cause is found, then treatment can be started.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Numbness On Feet

Brief Answer: can be due to nerves or poor circulation Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Numbness in the feet can be due to problems with the blood supply or nerve supply to the feet. If you have a history of high blood pressure , high cholesterol or smoking then it may be the blood supply. Your doctor can determine this by checking the pulses by the ankles and feet to see if you have PVD (peripheral vascular disease- poor circulation) If you do not have a history of any of these problems then it may be due to the nerves, this would be called neuropathy. A doctor can also examine the nerves in the lower limbs to see if they have any problems. Causes would be: (1)diabetes (2)vitamin b12 or folate deficiency (3)trauma to the nerves (4)liver or kidney disease (5)side effect of medication (6)idiopathic- cause not known (7)infections- shingles (8)exposure to toxins (9)some hormonal conditions such as abnormal thyroid To find out the cause, you would need blood tests (vitamin b12 and folate levels, liver, kidney tests, thyroid function test, complete blood count, check for diabetes) When the cause is found, then treatment can be started. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions