Numbness

Alternate Names : Loss of Sensation

How is the condition diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a history and physical exam. This may be all that is needed to make a diagnosis. In other cases, further testing is needed.

Blood tests can help diagnose hormone imbalances, HIV, diabetes, and other conditions. If multiple sclerosis is suspected, a special x-ray test of the brain, called a cranial MRI, may be ordered. In some cases, a test called electromyography, or EMG, is ordered. This test looks at how well the nerves work in the affected area and can determine the cause in some cases. In this test, special electrodes are hooked up to the skin and tiny shocks are delivered to the nerve while the response to the shocks is measured.