Sensory disorders or sensation disorders, such as numbness or tingling, are disorders of sensation and perception. In this case, stimuli such as pain, temperature, or touch are perceived differently.
What are sensory disorders?
If the sensory disturbances do not subside after a certain time, a diagnosis is inevitable to clarify the exact clinical picture. For the diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is necessary to exclude serious diseases. A sensory disorder is further defined as a change in tactile perception that has an impairing effect. The surface sensitivity of the fingertips and toes is lost. However, the sense of touch in other parts of the body may also be affected. The sensory disturbance can manifest itself in the fact that the formerly good sense of touch is impaired in its function and is no longer as sensitive as it once was. It can also be a complete loss of sensation in the affected area of the body. The body is permeated by numerous sensors and receptors that transmit stimulating stimuli, which are received via the sensory organs, to the brain. A distinction is made between sensations of temperature and pain, and mechanical stimuli such as pressure. In the case of sensory disturbances, the subjective insensations are perceived as unpleasant and disturbing because they are registered by the nervous system in an attenuated, absent or increased form. The most common sensory disorders include tingling in the arms and legs, numbness of various body parts, and increased pain sensation. On the other hand, sensory disorders also include the loss or reduction of normal sensations, such as the sense of touch. Furthermore, temperature sensations may be disturbed or touch may be perceived as unpleasant. The affected persons experience the disturbances in individual intensity. Thus, the so-called “formication” can be felt from a tingling sensation on the skin to a dull pain. Pain disorders can also be felt in varying intensity. The sensory disturbances may be present in different regions of the body such as the face.
Causes
The causes of sensory disturbances can vary. Temporary nerve irritation, such as elbow impingement, can be the cause, as can severe diseases such as multiple sclerosis or angina. Neurological diseases, nerve damage, toxins, infections, mechanical stimuli and diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be triggers for the disorder. But mental illnesses and vitamin deficiencies are also considered causes. Thus, sensory disturbances occur in alcohol abuse as well as in chronic diseases of the brain. In most cases, the sensory disturbance is caused by damage to the nerves. After accidents, nerve cords in the hands, feet or other parts of the body can become pinched. As a result, the nerves die and can no longer transmit electrical impulses that are responsible for sensation. The best-known example of this is paraplegia, in which paralysis occurs from the hip onwards and the affected patient no longer feels anything from this point onwards. In Wartenberg syndrome, on the other hand, only the thumb is paralyzed because the radial nerve of the hand has been damaged. The sensory disturbance can also be provoked by a pathogen or a condition indicated by the body. Some medical conditions cause sensation to worsen or completely disappear in different parts of the body. In stroke, an entire half of the body can become paralyzed, leaving the patient with no feeling there. Leprosy can also cause a loss of sensation to occur in the diseased area of the skin.
Diseases with this symptom
- Angina pectoris
- Lyme disease
- Pulmonary embolism
- Arterial occlusive disease
- Herniated disc
- Shingles
- Stroke
- Sciatica (sciatic pain)
- Migraine
- Multiple sclerosis
- Dementia
- Circulatory disorders
Complications
When naming a complication, the culprit condition should be considered. A complication medically is another symptom of a disease or an undesirable side effect of a drug, as far as it is applied against this health disorder.Complications can therefore appear due to overlooking and during therapy. Sensory disturbances are a possible complication of many diseases such as in injuries, in diabetic nerve damage, circulatory disorders and after severe operations on the limbs. In addition, severe sensory disturbances such as numbness can cause further complications, especially when minor injuries are not noticed due to loss of sensation. Such complications usually occur in older or debilitated sufferers. In more severe cases, sensory disturbances may worsen. The diseases that cause loss of sensation can be life-threatening, such as heart attack. To avoid serious complications, a thorough examination must be ordered after the germination of suspicious signs. If necessary, the ill person should be examined as an inpatient in the course of averting aggravations. There, a concept can be made for the subsequent outpatient approach against the complaints. Sensory disturbances are only one complication among many, especially in orthopedic conditions. A healthy dietary intake, avoidance of obesity and nicotine, and routine preventive health examinations can often prevent sensory disturbances. Quite a few drugs are harmful to bones and therefore should be used with caution.
When should you see a doctor?
Strongly pronounced sensory disturbances that occur suddenly for no apparent reason and over a long period of time should always be clarified by a doctor. A doctor should also be consulted if sensory disturbances occur after an injury from a fall or blow in the arms or legs or recur at regular intervals. This is especially true for people who have a vascular or metabolic disease such as diabetes. Diabetics should always keep a close eye on changes on the body surface and discuss them with a doctor if necessary. Pain, swelling and skin changes are also symptoms to be clarified in the case of persistent sensitivity disorders. A sudden feeling of numbness on one half of the body (e.g., half of the face, arm or leg) can be a sign of a stroke and may require emergency medical care. Other signs of a stroke include headaches, nausea, dizziness, speech and vision problems, and paralysis. Even if these symptoms resolve on their own after a short time, an emergency room should always be visited or the emergency physician notified.
Treatment and therapy
If the sensory disturbances do not subside after a certain period of time, a diagnosis is inevitable to clarify the exact clinical picture. For the diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is necessary to rule out serious diseases. In addition to a blood test and physical examination, a neurological examination is also necessary to obtain an accurate clinical picture. If the feeling in the tips of the fingers or toes is prevented after an accident, it is obvious in most cases that a nerve must have been damaged. If it is simply a pinched nerve, a neurologist can try to restore its function. It is important to note, however, that the nerve may not already be dead. Once a nerve dies, its function cannot be restored. However, if it is a dead or even torn nerve, the diagnosis is often final. If another disease involves a loss of sensation, the exact nature of the disease must first be further defined to decide if it can be reversed. If it is leprosy, for example, the sensory disturbance usually disappears with the correct treatment. In contrast, it is more difficult in the case of strokes, brain tumors or other impairments of the central nervous system. A resulting sensory disturbance may regress if the underlying condition is treated, but it may also be permanent.
Outlook and prognosis
As a rule, a doctor should be consulted immediately in any case of sensory disturbance. This symptom may be a serious condition that should definitely be treated by a doctor. Many people suffer from a feeling disorder only temporarily, in which case it does not need to be treated by a doctor.However, if the sensory disturbance is long-lasting and relatively severe, a doctor should be consulted. In the worst case, the sensory disturbance can be a sign of a stroke. Here, the doctor can perform certain tests to investigate the dangers of a stroke. In dangerous situations, surgical intervention can combat the numbness. Usually, sensory disturbance is caused by damage to nerves. Treatment is either surgical or with the help of medication. However, the exact form of treatment depends on the cause of the numbness. Most of the time, however, sensory disturbance can be treated without further complications.
Prevention
Even a mild sensory disturbance is a reason to see a doctor right away. It may indicate that a more serious condition is spreading – but if treated early, the numbness can either be stopped or even completely reversed. A generally healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups, for example of the blood count, can ensure that serious illnesses do not break out in the first place. To protect yourself from a sensory disturbance caused by a pinched or severed nerve, you should always follow the necessary safety precautions closely during any potentially dangerous activity. This is true both while at work and at home.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Whether a sensory disturbance can be treated at home or requires medical attention depends largely on its cause. If the sensory disturbance is only temporary, resulting from pinched nerves, treatment is usually not necessary. In this case, the patient feels the typical sensation of the body parts falling asleep, which disappears after a few minutes. This sensation is usually accompanied by a tingling sensation and does not represent a health-threatening condition. However, if the sensory disturbance persists for a longer period of time and occurs frequently, it is imperative to consult a doctor. Here, the sensory disturbance may indicate another chronic problem that cannot be treated with home remedies. It is not uncommon for these disturbances to result from multiple sclerosis or cardiovascular disorders. If the sensory disturbance arises after abuse of alcohol and other drugs, the patient should definitely discontinue these substances and go through withdrawal if needed. Abuse of these substances severely damages the nerves in the body and can therefore lead to a feeling disorder. If the sensory disturbance occurs after paralysis or after an accident, self-treatment is usually not possible.
