Are you suffering from numbness in leg, it is a uncomfortable situation in which you may experience, tingling or pins and needles, partial or complete loss of feeling in one or both legs, burning sensation, even muscle cramps and reduced ability to feel touch, Heat, or cold. So you are in right place, in this article you will know about the causes of leg numbness and treatments.
What is Numbness in Leg
Numbness in leg is a condition in which you experience reduced or total loss of sensation in one or both legs. You cannot feel touch or pain, or you may feel tingling, burning, weakness or a sensation that your leg has ‘fallen asleep’.
It is a common problem that affects people of all ages; it may feel like a buzzing or tingling sensation in your legs. During this time, your legs feel heavy. Even walking feels like walking on a block of wood, rubber, or a thick cushion instead of the floor.
In many cases, leg numbness is temporary and generally happens after sitting or crossing your legs for too long, because it puts pressure on the nerves and reduces blood flow. If the problem occurs daily may sign of an underlying health condition that requires your attention.
Common Symptoms of Leg Numbness
Leg numbness is a common problem that occurs in children to older people. The symptoms can occur suddenly or develop gradually depending on its causes. People with leg numbness may experience:
- Tingling or ”pins and needles” sensation
- Reduced or complete loss of feeling
- Burning or pricking sensation
- Weakness in leg
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Pain that radiates from the lower back to leg
- Coldness or heaveness in the affected area
Causes of Numbness in Leg
1. Sitting or Standing for Too Long
Sitting cross-legged or remaining in one position for long hours can compress nerves and temporarily reduce blood flow. It is the most common cause of leg numbness.
These may includes:
- Sitting cross-legged for long hours.
- Sitting on the feet
- Wearing very tight pants, socks, or shoes
2. Low Blood Count (Anaemia)
It is the second reason for the numbness in legs. People of all ages, including children, suffer from low blood count. When your blood level is low the nerves in your leg do not receive enough oxygen. Without oxygen nerves cannot function properly which leads to Numb legs.
3. Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerve function. If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, it can damage nerves and cause numbness in the legs, problem and muscles weakness.
4. Sciatica
You may have sciatica. It occurs occurs when the sciatic nerves become irritated or compressed, often due to a herniated disc. It can cause pain, tingling, and numbness that travel from lower back to the each leg .
5. Herniated Disc
Herniated disc also called slipped or ruptured disc it occurs when one of the rubbery cushion (discs) between the bones of your spine tears or leaf, pressing on nearby spinal nerves.
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6. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease is a type of disease in which the arteries become narows which decreases the blood flow to your arms and legs. It can make walking painful and also causes numbness in legs and tingling.
7. Diabetes
High blood sugar level overtime can damage nerves in leg that causes diabetic neuropathy. Which lead to damage leg nerves, which may cause numbness, pain and weakness.
8. Nerve Injury
You may have injuries from accidents, surgery, aur repetitive movements can damage nerves and result in numbness in leg or weakness in the affected leg.
9. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple cirrhosis is a neurological disorder that affect the brain and spinal cord. It may cause numbness, muscle weakness, balance problem and difficulty in walking.
10. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormonal changes and the growing is the rust can put pressure on nerves that causes temporary numbness in leg or tingling.
Treatment of Numbness in Leg
The treatment of numbness in leg is totally depend on its causes. It may include:
- You can change your sitting or standing position to avoid numbness in leg.
- Gentle stretching and regular physical activity will help you.
- Doctor prescribed physical therapy for nerves or back pain for relief.
- Medication prescribed by Health Care professional for nerve pain or inflammation.
- If you suffering from diabetes, doctors prescribe to manage blood sugar level.
- If you are Vitamin B12 deficit, then you should take vitamin B12 supplements as per your doctor recommendation.
FAQs on Numbness in Leg
What causes numbness in leg?
Some of the most common causes for numbness in leg are sitting in one position for long time, sciatica, herniated disc, diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, poor blood circulation, nerves injuries.
Is Leg Numbness a serious condition?
Temporary numbness is often harmless, however persistent numbness, numbness associated with weakness, severe pain, or difficulty in walking should be checked by a doctor.
Can vitamin deficiency cause leg numbness?
Yes, deficiency of Vitamin B12 can damage nerves and cause numbness or tingling in the legs and feet.