Leg and foot numbness can be caused by diabetes, cold exposure of the lower limbs, or maintaining a fixed position for a long time. Diabetes is the main cause of leg and foot numbness, as for diabetic patients, excessively high blood sugar in the body may damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to numbness and coldness in the hands and feet. After this happens, a blood sugar test should be done at the hospital.
1. The primary cause of diabetic foot numbness is diabetes itself. If the feet often feel numb without being compressed, it is necessary to check if it is caused by diabetes. People with diabetes have high blood sugar in their bodies, which can damage blood vessels and nerves, resulting in feelings of coldness and numbness in the hands and feet, like "ants crawling." This sensation is also one of the early symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In severe cases, there may be motor impairments such as foot pain, limping, and unstable walking. Especially at night, the pain may be more severe, with a sensation like a drill boring into the bones, making it difficult to sleep. If this happens, especially for the elderly, it is necessary to pay special attention and check blood sugar promptly.
2. Long-term fixed position. I believe everyone has noticed that if you maintain the same position for a long time, your feet will become numb after a while. This is because the poor blood circulation causes numbness in the nerve endings, resulting in numbness in the hands and feet. At this time, simply moving around can quickly resolve the situation.
3. Cold exposure. The human body is very sensitive to temperature. If a person is in an excessively cold environment, the body temperature will decrease accordingly. At this time, the sensory nerves in the hands and feet may become numb and malfunction, often manifesting as numbness and lack of sensation. If the exposure to cold is prolonged, it may even lead to permanent tissue necrosis in that area.
4. What to do about foot numbness? If numbness in the hands and feet is caused by nerve damage, the choice of treatment method should be based on the degree, extent, and nature of the nerve damage, whether through medication or surgery. Medication is often combined with acupuncture and physical therapy to promote rapid recovery. Minimally invasive surgery involves surgically redirecting the compressed nerve to relieve nerve compression and stimulation.
