Numbness

A partial or total loss of sensibility to tactile, pain, or temperature stimuli in a body region, resulting from impaired transmission or processing of sensory signals through peripheral nerves, spinal pathways, or the central nervous system.

Causes

• Nerve compression and mechanical causes

  • Prolonged pressure or abnormal posture

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Spinal disc herniation

  • Spinal stenosis

  • Nerve entrapment syndromes

  • Trauma causing nerve injury

• Peripheral neuropathy causes

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Vitamin deficiency (B₁₂, B₆, folate)

  • Alcohol-related neuropathy

  • Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy

• Arterial insufficiency causing reduced nerve perfusion

  • Peripheral arterial disease

  • Raynaud's phenomenon

• Neurological disorders affecting sensory pathways

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Stroke

  • Transient ischemic attack

  • Spinal cord lesion

  • Brain tumor

• Infectious and inflammatory causes

  • Herpes zoster infection

  • Lyme disease

  • Autoimmune neuropathies

  • Inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies

• Metabolic and systemic causes

  • Electrolyte disturbances

  • Nutritional deficiencies

  • Systemic autoimmune diseases

  • Toxin exposure

• Anxiety or hyperventilation-related sensory disturbances