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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can severe Numbness In The Arms Be Treated?

Sudden heaviness/weakness/numbness in both arms. I sit down and shake it out. Lasts for only a minute or two. Happens occasionally, most recently once each day two days in a row. I m a 59 y.o. male. My email: YYYY@YYYY put the prices up front and save us both time. Bye
Fri, 7 Apr 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Since the symptoms are occurring in both arms, it would imply that it is either due to a systemic cause or related to the bones in the neck or shoulders.

The nerves that supply the upper limbs come from between the vertebra in the neck.
It is possible that the vertebra/bones in the neck are compressing the nerves that are supplying the upper limbs.

An x ray of the neck would indicate if this is an issue.

If this is found not to be a problem then you may need blood tests to find another cause: (1) diabetes
(2)low vitamin b12 or folate
(3)side effect of medication
(4)thyroid disease
(5)liver or kidney disease
(6)exposure to toxins
(7)abnormal levels of vitamin b6

Blood tests would check for any of the above issues.

I hope this helps
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How Can severe Numbness In The Arms Be Treated?

HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Since the symptoms are occurring in both arms, it would imply that it is either due to a systemic cause or related to the bones in the neck or shoulders. The nerves that supply the upper limbs come from between the vertebra in the neck. It is possible that the vertebra/bones in the neck are compressing the nerves that are supplying the upper limbs. An x ray of the neck would indicate if this is an issue. If this is found not to be a problem then you may need blood tests to find another cause: (1) diabetes (2)low vitamin b12 or folate (3)side effect of medication (4)thyroid disease (5)liver or kidney disease (6)exposure to toxins (7)abnormal levels of vitamin b6 Blood tests would check for any of the above issues. I hope this helps