NUMBNESS AND / OR TINGLNG 89
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You probably have carpal tunnel syndrome( tingling and pain in the hand and forearm due to a compressed nerve at the wrist).
• Avoid positions that worsen the symptoms.
Are the affected areas on only one side of the body?
Have you had any of the following symptoms?
Feeling faint or passing out
Disturbed vision
Confusion
Difficulty speaking
Weakness in a limb
None of the above
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! You may have had a stroke.
Are any of these symptoms still present?
Symptoms present
Symptoms no longer present
One side only
Both sides
Do your fingers become numb and white or blue in either of the following circumstances?
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW You may have had a mini-stroke.
In cold weather
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR This type of numbness is most likely caused by hand – arm syndrome, which is associated with the long-term use of vibrating machinery.
• Avoid using vibrating machinery.
• Keep warm.
• If you smoke, stop.
When using vibrating machinery
Neither
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR if you cannot identify a possible cause for your numbness and / or tingling from this chart.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You may be suffering from Raynaud’ s phenomenon, in which there is intermittent narrowing of blood vessels in the hands or, rarely, the feet.
• Keep your hands and / or feet warm.
• If you smoke, stop.