Which doctor treats the
When choosing a doctor, the cause of the numbness is important. For most of those affected, the family doctor is the first point of contact.
- If a herniated disc is suspected, the affected person is referred to an orthopedic surgeon.
- MS, neuroborelliosis or stroke are among the diseases that neurologists continue to treat.
- In the case of tensions, the family doctor can often help himself or the person concerned is prescribed massages or physiotherapy.
- If the tension is caused by chronic stress or is psychosomatic, a specialist in psychosomatic medicine can also help.
Other accompanying symptoms
In the case of a slipped disc, the affected person often suffers not only from feelings of numbness, but also from pain in the cervical spine and head. Tense muscles are also possible. In case of paralysis symptoms, a doctor must be consulted immediately.
A stroke often also affects the leg on the same side and paralysis can also occur on one side of the face. Typical here are hanging corners of the mouth and a hanging eyelid. Speech and vision may also be altered.
This is an absolute emergency and should lead to an emergency call. In MS, one of the first symptoms is often a deterioration in vision. The combination of back pain and numbness in the arm is almost proof of an irritated nerve caused by a disc or a tense muscle.
The back pain is often intensified when bending forward. A hot-water bottle often helps with tension, while intervertebral disc patients often do not get relief from heat. For many of those affected, even taking over-the-counter painkillers does not help or only for a very short time.
A slipped disc in the cervical spine, which leads to numbness in the arm, is usually accompanied by neck pain. Tension is also usually painful. However, if the numbness and neck pain occur suddenly and accompanied by a feverish infection, a doctor should be consulted immediately, as the symptoms can also be caused by meningitis. Especially in children, meningitis is even more likely than a slipped disc, as this is more likely to be an illness of the elderly.
