Numbness

Alternate Names : Loss of Sensation

What are the treatments for the condition?

Treatment is related to the cause. For those with a previous injury, there is often no effective treatment. Some people try surgery to return some feeling to the affected area. Physical therapy may help, too.

Those with diabetes need to control their blood sugar with diet, exercise, and medications to prevent further nerve damage. People with anxiety can be treated with medications to reduce anxiety. People with cancer may need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. If a drug or toxin caused the numbness, it should be stopped.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Side effects depend on the treatments used. All medications have possible side effects. For instance, medications to treat diabetes may cause low blood sugar, liver damage, or allergic reactions. Specific side effects depend on the medications used. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

The outcome for numbness depends on the cause. If the cause can be treated, the numbness may or may not go away. When a low thyroid hormone level is the cause, for example, the numbness often goes away after the person is treated. Numbness due to diabetes or alcohol abuse rarely goes away even after treatment. Those with cancer may die if treatment is not effective.

How is the condition monitored?

The person can monitor his or her numbness at home and report any changes or response from treatment to the healthcare provider. Further monitoring depends on the cause. Those with diabetes, for instance, need to have their blood sugar levels checked frequently.