The nervous system consists of the spinal cord, brain, peripheral nerves and autonomic nerves. The nervous system is responsible for all sensations, thoughts and movements the human body makes. When the nerves become damaged, symptoms including numbness in limbs can occur. Treatments are dependent on the diagnosis, and sometimes, there is no cure for nerve damage.
Diabetic Neuropathy
People with diabetes can develop a condition called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is when nerves become damaged. Nerves can become damaged through exposure to high glucose levels that occurs in diabetes. There are four types of neuropathy, reports the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, and peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves in the legs, feet, toes, hands and arms. Peripheral neuropathy causes numbness or tingling in the legs, feet, hands and arms. Treatment includes managing blood glucose levels, which can lessen the symptoms. Pain medication can be prescribed; foot creams and lotions, acupuncture and physical therapy can be part of the treatment plan.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the immune system that eats away at the sheath that protects the nerves. According to MayoClinic.com, multiple sclerosis can deteriorate the nerves and most often occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 40. Signs and symptoms can include numbness or weakness in more than one limb, tingling or pain in legs, feet, arms, hands and other parts of the body, unstable gait, double vision, loss of vision, fatigue and dizziness. Multiple sclerosis has no cure and treatment is based upon the symptoms the person is having. Pain medications, immunosuppressants and corticosteroids are some of the medications that patients may take. Occupational therapy and physical therapy may also be prescribed to help the patient manage symptoms and learn how to live with multiple sclerosis.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can result from a weakened spine from osteoporosis, fragments of bone piercing or cutting the spinal cord or injury can occur when the spinal cord is pressed sideways or pulled from the head, back or neck being twisted abnormally in an accident. Signs and symptoms can vary depending on where the injury has occurred in the spinal cord. According to the MayoClinic.com, signs and symptoms can include numbness in parts of the body including the legs and feet, loss of movement in limbs, difficulty breathing or coughing, muscle spasms, loss of bladder control, difficulty walking or unable to walk or move and extreme pain. Doctors can manage symptoms through physical therapy, rehabilitation, medications and surgery. However, there is no way to reverse the damage that has been done from a spinal cord injury.
