“What causes issues in the nervous system? How is it treated?”
My father-in-law has an issue in his nervous system and it's causing numbness in his hands and feet. The doctors haven't yet told us what is wrong with him, only that it has to do with his nerves. What are the possible reason for this? Can it be treated?
4 Answers
Richard Grant Hunter
Neurologist
He probably has a peripheral neuropathy which usually affects the extremities first and most severely. There are many causes. Diabetes is probably the most common. Treatment depends on the particular cause.
There are many things that can cause numbness. The phrase "issues in the nervous system" is too vague to even begin to comment on - it's like asking what causes issues in your cardiac system, or in the electrical system in your house. Rather, the method is first figure out exactly WHERE the problem is from (not necessarily the easiest thing, of course): is the problem in the brain, in the spine, in the nerve? Anywhere else? Only THEN does it make sense to try to determine the cause. These steps are the job of a neurologist. If your primary doc is hesitant to diagnose this, then please make sure to request a referral to a Neuro.
Speaking in general terms, though, if the numbness is all on one side, it may be a brain problem, such as a stroke, while if the numbness is on both sides, but more prominently in the feet (and possibly in the hands) then it could be a neuropathy. If the numbness is all below one level in the body, then it could be a spine issue, like a herniated disc. Since you describe hands and feet and are talking about your father (who I will assume is an older gentleman, since he has a younger person doing the asking for him), neuropathy may be the most likely. The most common cause of neuropathy in the U.S. is uncontrolled diabetes. Other causes include vitamin deficiencies (B12, B6), inflammation from other diseases, or side effects of medications.
This is not to diagnose - please go to a neurologist for more detailed - and person-specific - responses.
Speaking in general terms, though, if the numbness is all on one side, it may be a brain problem, such as a stroke, while if the numbness is on both sides, but more prominently in the feet (and possibly in the hands) then it could be a neuropathy. If the numbness is all below one level in the body, then it could be a spine issue, like a herniated disc. Since you describe hands and feet and are talking about your father (who I will assume is an older gentleman, since he has a younger person doing the asking for him), neuropathy may be the most likely. The most common cause of neuropathy in the U.S. is uncontrolled diabetes. Other causes include vitamin deficiencies (B12, B6), inflammation from other diseases, or side effects of medications.
This is not to diagnose - please go to a neurologist for more detailed - and person-specific - responses.
Peripheral neuropathy is common and can stem from a number of things including injuries to the spine, diabetes, etc.
Yes, it can be treated and patients often times are able to revert to some degree feelings of numbness.
Yes, it can be treated and patients often times are able to revert to some degree feelings of numbness.
Numbness in the hands and feet can be related to conditions of musculoskeletal pathology of compression of nerves from herniated slipped discs. Other conditions which are a bit more complicated can related to like metabolic, like diabetes or life style problems of alcoholism. Best place to start may be your primary care physician to rule out more serious medical conditions
