Understanding Numbness in Seniors’ Extremities

By James Hughes | August 22, 2024 |

Elder care can help seniors mitigate the effects of neuropathy in their extremities.

For some seniors, numbness in their extremities—hands, feet, or other extremities—can be painful and lower the quality of life. Understanding this, loved ones and elder care need to help them effectively manage and treat this issue. Of course, the first part of management and treatment is understanding why it happens in the first place.

Nervous System Peripheral

Damage to the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals from the central nervous system to the rest of the body, is known as peripheral neuropathy. Pain, tingling, and numbness may result from this, usually in the hands and feet. There are several potential causes of peripheral neuropathy:

Diabetes: Over time, high blood sugar can cause diabetic neuropathy, which is the degeneration of nerves.
Illnesses: Nerve damage can result from some illnesses, including shingles, HIV, and Lyme disease.
Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can have an impact on the nerves.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Nerve injury can result from deficiencies in the vitamins B1, B6, B12, and E.

Circulation Problems

The extremities may become numb due to poor circulation. The following conditions have an impact on blood flow:

Atherosclerosis: The arteries harden and thin, which can lower blood flow to the limbs.
PAD: The medical ailment known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) is characterized by constricted arteries that lower blood flow to the extremities.
Blood Clots: Blood clots might cause numbness by obstructing blood supply to certain regions.

Compression Issues

Numbness can also result from nerve compression for a number of reasons. Typical compression symptoms consist of:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers may result from compression of the median nerve in the wrist.
Sciatica: Pain and numbness that travel down the leg may result from compression of the sciatic nerve.
Herniated Discs: Discs in the spine may compress nerves, causing numbness in the limbs.

Long-Term Illnesses

Numbness can be a complication of several chronic conditions, including:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): This condition can cause numbness and other sensory abnormalities as it affects the central nervous system.
Fibromyalgia: This illness can include tingling and numbness in addition to its characteristic widespread musculoskeletal pain.
Thyroid Disorders: Numbness and damage to the nerves can result from both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Managing Numbness in Seniors

While no two situations will be the same, the following are common treatments that may be suggested:

Medication: Depending on the underlying cause, medications such as anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, or blood flow enhancers may be provided.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy and exercise can help strengthen muscles, lower symptoms, and enhance circulation, which elder care services can help with.
Lifestyle Modifications: Seniors may be able to prevent the situation by taking steps to change their diet. This can be particularly helpful if diabetes is found to be the root cause. Elder care providers can help them put some of these changes into effect.
Supplements: Taking the right supplements can help with symptoms related to nutritional deficiencies. Seniors will need to talk with their medical team about this before elder care aides can add supplements to their routine.
Surgery: To release pressure on the nerves in cases of severe nerve compression, surgical intervention may be required.

Numbness in the extremities might have a significant impact on seniors’ daily lives. The good news is that this is a situation that can typically be managed with the help of elder care providers and loved ones. Once the root cause is understood, a management plan can be implemented that will hopefully alleviate the issue.

If you or someone you know needs Elder Care in Fairhope, AL, please contact the friendly caregivers at  Hughes Home Care. We provide quality and affordable care for your elderly loved ones in our community. Serving Mobile & Baldwin County. Call us today at (251) 517-9901

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James Hughes

Owner at Hughes Home Care

James Hughes is a graduate of The University of Alabama (Health Care Administration), the University Of Alabama, Birmingham (Physical Therapy) and is a Navy veteran.

He has three teenage children and are actively involved in their church and community – James coach’s youth football, basketball and baseball and serves at 3 Circle Church. He is a member of the Fairhope Youth Football Board and the Rock Creek POA Board.

It is his passion and commitment to providing quality and responsive service that has made their company the fastest growing home care agency in South Alabama.

He believes that being an independently owned and operated company gives him the flexibility to manage his business in a way that better serves their clients.

He understands that you have a choice of care providers and he will do his utmost to earn your trust.