Why is the old man's arm numb?

For people of every age, even if they have the same physical problem, the causes may be different. Especially the elderly’s bodies are in a stage of degeneration, so they are prone to related physical illnesses at this time. Numbness in the arms is something that many people have experienced. Some elderly people often feel numbness in their arms. What disease causes this?

1. What causes numbness in the arms of the elderly?

1.1. The cause of arm numbness in the elderly may be malnutrition. The body functions of the elderly are declining, and nutrition is easily lost. The body lacks sufficient protein and vitamins, especially the deficiency of B vitamins, which can lead to obstruction of nerve nutrition and metabolic function and slow down of conduction speed, causing peripheral neuritis and nerve root lesions and causing numbness of the limbs.

1.2. Another reason for arm numbness in the elderly is arteriosclerosis. Cerebral arteriosclerosis can slow down the conduction of nerves and reduce local blood and oxygen supply to the brain. In severe cases, it can lead to ischemia and hypoxia in the central nervous system, causing numbness in the limbs. However, numbness in the hands caused by arteriosclerosis is often paroxysmal. As long as the condition of the blood vessels improves, the numbness symptoms will naturally improve or disappear after a few hours or days.

1.3. The side effects of drugs for arm numbness in the elderly may also cause numbness in the hands. The elderly take many kinds of medicines, some of which, for example, antibacterial drugs such as sulfonamides, furazolidone, ofloxacin, and anti-tuberculosis drugs such as remifon and ethambutol, may induce peripheral neuritis and cause limb numbness if the dose is too large or taken for a long time.

2. What to do if the elderly have numb arms

2.1. Proper exercise promotes blood circulation

Maintaining a fixed posture for a long time will cause poor blood circulation, paralysis of nerve endings, and numbness in the hands and feet. As long as you move your hands and feet in time, you can return to normal in a short time.

2.2. Appropriate supplementation of vitamin B

Long-term gastrointestinal dysfunction and reduced food intake can cause the body to lack adequate protein and vitamins. In particular, a lack of B vitamins can lead to nutritional and metabolic dysfunction and a slowdown in nerve conduction, causing peripheral neuritis and nerve root lesions, resulting in numbness of the hands and feet. Therefore, the elderly should supplement vitamin B appropriately to improve the body's metabolic function and relieve numbness in the hands and feet.

2.3. Pay attention to the side effects of drugs

If the elderly suffer from multiple diseases, they will definitely take multiple medicines at the same time. Among them, antibiotics such as sulfa, furazolidone, furazolidone, ofloxacin, anti-tuberculosis drugs such as remifentanil and ethambutol, and chemotherapy drugs such as vinblastine may induce peripheral neuritis and cause limb numbness if the dose is too large or the medication time is too long. Therefore, the dosage of these drugs should be strictly controlled.

3. Tips to relieve numbness in the elderly’s arms

3.1. Aquarius exercises wrist strength

Prepare a bottle of about 250cc, such as a beverage can or a small water bottle. Hold the bottle filled with water with your palm facing down, and raise and bend your wrist at a gentle speed, holding the position for 5 seconds each time, and repeat 10 times.

3.2. Stretching to relieve wrist injuries

Stretch your arms forward with your palms facing down. Use your other hand to press the back of your hand downward, and then pull your palm inward. Hold for 10 seconds each, and repeat 10 times.

Numbness in the hands is a very common symptom. It is understandable that the numbness is caused by occasional long-term pressure. You can try the relief methods introduced above. However, if the frequency of numbness in the hands of the elderly increases, it should be taken seriously and they should go to the hospital for treatment in time.

What disease may cause numbness in the arms of the elderly?

1. Arteriosclerosis

Characteristics of numbness: mostly numbness of one upper limb/lower limb or half of the body, usually lasting from a few hours to a few days. If not treated in time, it will develop into hemiplegia and paralysis.

2. Hypertension

Hypertensive patients often experience numbness in their hands and feet when their blood pressure rises suddenly. At this time, the patient's small arteries throughout the body spasm, the arterial lumen narrows, and blood return to the limbs is obstructed, leading to numbness.

3. Diabetes

The common symptom of numbness in diabetic patients is bilateral symmetrical numbness of the fingers. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. Many diabetic patients have poor blood sugar control and will experience complications such as numbness in the early stages.

4. Cervical spondylosis

People who are more likely to suffer from hand numbness are middle-aged and elderly people who sit for a long time and white-collar workers with abnormal cervical posture. Cervical spondylosis causes cervical disc herniation or hyperplasia, which causes the related joints to compress the adjacent cervical vertebrae, resulting in symptoms of numbness in the fingers.