Body Numbness and Tingling — What Is Causing It?
Pins and needles, numbness, or a dead feeling in hands, feet, face, or legs. These sensations are your nervous system asking for attention.
Numbness and tingling — medically called paraesthesia — are among the most common neurological symptoms. When brief and positional (hand falling asleep when lying on it), they are harmless. When persistent, progressive, or associated with weakness or pain, they signal nerve damage that needs evaluation. Dr. Anand Karnam (DrNB Neurology) at Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center, Chanda Nagar, diagnoses and treats all causes of numbness and tingling — from common nerve compression to serious conditions like multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Key Points
- Sudden one-sided numbness (face + arm + leg) = stroke warning — call 108 immediately.
- Night-time hand numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers = carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Peripheral neuropathy from diabetes and B12 deficiency starts in the feet and progresses upward.
- In-house NCS (Nerve Conduction Study) confirms nerve damage in 30 minutes — no referral needed.
- B12 deficiency neuropathy is fully reversible with B12 injections when treated early.
50%
of diabetics develop peripheral neuropathy
Source: ADA / WHO
30 min
NCS test confirms nerve damage in-house
Source: Clinical practice
95%
NCS diagnostic accuracy for carpal tunnel syndrome
Source: AANEM
"Numbness and tingling are some of the most common neurological symptoms I see. The distribution tells me almost everything: feet and hands = peripheral neuropathy; one side of the body suddenly = stroke; across a dermatome = nerve root compression. Our in-house NCS gives objective confirmation in one visit."
Seek Emergency Care Immediately If You Have:
- 1Sudden numbness on one side of the body — face, arm, leg
- 2Numbness with slurred speech, facial droop, or arm weakness
- 3Numbness rapidly spreading up both legs toward the trunk
- 4Numbness with loss of bladder or bowel control
- 5Numbness after a neck or back injury
Possible Causes of This Symptom
Peripheral Neuropathy
Damage to the peripheral nerves — most commonly from diabetes, B12 deficiency, or thyroid disease. Causes tingling, burning, and numbness starting in the feet and progressing upward. Nerve conduction study (NCS) confirms and characterises the damage.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Compression of the median nerve at the wrist — very common, especially in women. Causes tingling and numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, worse at night. Diagnosed by NCS; treated with splints, injections, or surgery.
Cervical or Lumbar Disc Disease
A bulging disc in the neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar) can press on nerve roots — causing numbness running down the arm or leg. Usually accompanied by pain in the neck or back.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS can cause patches of numbness, tingling, or weakness — often asymmetric, coming in episodes (relapses). Common early MS symptoms include one-sided face numbness, one limb tingling, or visual disturbance. Diagnosed by MRI brain and spine.
Stroke or TIA
Sudden numbness on one side of the body — face, arm, and leg together — is a warning sign of stroke or TIA. This requires immediate emergency evaluation.
How We Diagnose the Cause
Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)
In-house NCS at Sri Anand measures the speed and strength of nerve signals — identifying the location (nerve root, plexus, peripheral nerve), type (demyelinating or axonal), and severity of nerve damage.
Blood Tests
Fasting glucose, HbA1c, vitamin B12, thyroid function, renal function — to identify the commonest treatable causes of neuropathy.
MRI Spine or Brain
Arranged when disc disease, MS, or a central cause is suspected — based on the distribution and character of the numbness.
Your Treating Specialist
Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center, Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad
In-house EEG and NCS — same-visit diagnosis, no referral delays
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
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Sri Anand Child & Neuro Hospital · Open 24/7 · Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad