Numb feet can be caused by various conditions, some harmless and others serious. Poor circulation, hyperventilation, chronic poor circulation, nerve damage, and spinal injury are common causes. Seek medical attention if there is no obvious cause.
There are a wide variety of conditions that can cause numb feet. Some are temporary and harmless, while others can be serious and life-threatening. Numbness can occur in one or both feet at the same time. They can be temporary with an obvious trigger, such as poor sitting posture, or long-lasting with a more obscure cause such as a psychological or physical condition, nerve inflammation, or spinal injury.
The most common cause of temporarily numb feet is poor circulation or restricted blood supply caused by a restrictive sitting position. A cross-legged posture or sitting with one or both legs tucked under the body can inhibit blood flow or put pressure on a nerve which results in a loss of feeling in one or both feet. While uncomfortable for a short time, this temporary numbness and the accompanying pins and needles are harmless and will dissipate quickly once the legs are moved into a proper position and blood flow is restored.
Conditions such as anxiety and panic disorders that cause hyperventilation can also cause numbness in the hands and feet. Hyperventilation is very rapid breathing that greatly increases your oxygen intake. The hemoglobin in the blood struggles to absorb the high levels of oxygen which results in less oxygenated blood being available. This often leads to loss of sensation in the patient’s extremities, particularly in the hands and feet, as the body attempts to conserve oxygen for more vital functions. Once adequate breathing and oxygenation levels are restored, sensation quickly returns to the affected areas.
Chronic poor circulation is a leading cause of numb feet and hands. Age, a poor lifestyle, lack of exercise, smoking, an unhealthy diet, and a variety of injuries and illnesses can cause poor circulation. In these cases, the body struggles to circulate enough oxygenated blood, particularly to the extremities. The nerve cells are then deprived of oxygen and are unable to provide adequate signal responses which results in a loss of sensation.
Nerve damage caused by injury or medical condition is known to be a leading cause of numb feet. In the foot, an irritated or pinched nerve can cause a lack of sensation, particularly over a long period, and is commonly the result of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, this condition involves inflammation within the tarsal tunnel. Nerves, ligaments and tendons run through the tarsal tunnel which is very small with very little space. If one of these structures becomes inflamed or damaged, the nerve can become trapped against the sides of the tunnel and the source of the inflammation. This disrupts the nerve’s ability to send and receive signals and results in numbness, pain, and limited movement.
Numbness and tingling in your feet after an injury can be an early indication of potentially serious damage to your spine or spinal cord. In these circumstances, medical attention should be sought immediately to prevent further damage. There are also many other conditions that numb feet can be a symptom of. If a patient suffers from this sensation and there is no obvious cause, prompt medical attention should be sought.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
