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FAMILY ILLNESS
Numbness and / or tingling
Almost everyone has experienced numbness, the loss of sensation in a part of the body, after sitting or lying in an awkward position for some time. Tingling, a prickly feeling, often occurs as sensation returns to a numb area. You should consult this chart if you experience numbness and / or tingling for which there is no obvious cause.
START
Did the numbness and / or tingling occur in either of the following circumstances?
After sitting in one position for a long time
On waking from a deep sleep
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Pressure on nerves or on the blood vessels that supply them is the most likely cause.
• Change position and massage the affected area. Normal sensation should return within a few minutes.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if the numbness or tingling feeling persists for longer than 1 hour.
!
Danger signs
Dial 911 or call EMS if the numbness and / or tingling is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
• Feeling faint or passing out.
• Disturbed vision.
• Confusion.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Weakness in a limb.
Does either of the following apply?
Numbness and / or tingling is worse at night
Pain shoots into palm of hand
Neither
Have you noticed any stiffness in your neck?
Neither
No stiff neck
Where is the numbness and / or tingling?
Hand or arm
Stiff neck
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You may have cervical spondylosis( a type of osteoarthritis that affects the upper spine).
Elsewhere