Probably everyone knows the feeling when the head goes numb. There are indeed reasons for concern regarding this symptom. However, do not panic, because this symptom can be caused not only by serious diseases, but also, for example, by the wrong position of the head during sleep. If numbness is noted for a long time, then the person must definitely see a doctor to get a competent consultation.
How this symptom manifests itself
It is worth noting that head numbness is not an independent disease, but a symptom. It can be observed in completely different diseases. Hypesthesia (another name for the symptom) can also be accompanied by different symptoms. The patient often complains that at the same time he is spinning, his head goes numb. The reasons lie in many diseases. Sometimes one part goes numb.
Usually if hypoesthesiaappears abruptly and also abruptly disappears, then doctors recommend seeking advice from a neurologist. It is also important to contact a specialist as soon as possible if, along with numbness, the patient has difficulty talking or moving, and also if uncontrolled urination occurs. As a rule, such serious symptoms indicate the presence of complex diseases in the human body, and the sooner treatment is started, the higher the chance of a complete recovery of the patient.
Numbness due to poor circulation
When the circulation is disturbed, as a rule, part of the head becomes numb. The reason lies in which particular artery is not functioning well. There can be several reasons for poor circulation. It is likely that this happened due to developing atherosclerosis or due to progressive hypertension, or maybe due to banal osteochondrosis.
It is worth noting that if the numbness of the head was due to hypertension, then the likelihood of developing a stroke is high. Such a patient should be examined as soon as possible. A stroke can be suspected if a person has speech retardation, double vision, and it is also difficult for him to make normal movements. Stroke is treatable, and very successfully, but only in the first 6-12 hours after the onset of symptoms.
Numbness and multiple sclerosis
Quite often, people with a diseased nervous system go numb in the head. The reasons may be different, but most often it happens that numbness occurs due to developing multiple sclerosis. This isthe disease is especially often recorded in the elderly, but sometimes occurs in the younger generation.
Treatment of this diagnosis should only be carried out by a doctor, and you need to contact him as soon as possible if a person has vivid symptoms of multiple sclerosis. These include loss of vision, decreased sensitivity of the scalp, difficulty moving, and poor coordination. During multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath of the nerve is replaced by connective tissue, which does not transmit sensations from tactile contact well. Due to this, hypoesthesia appears.
Swelling and trauma are the causes of head numbness
Benign and malignant tumors, as well as previous injuries, are the most unpleasant diseases for a person. Against the background of them, they often go numb, their head hurts. The reasons are not often, but sometimes they lie in them. Therefore, if a person began to systematically develop a violation of the sensitivity of the skin, it is urgent to undergo an examination by a specialist.
So, if a person develops a tumor in his head, he will often experience severe pain and numbness. Fever and vomiting are also possible. Do not forget that a tumor is not necessarily cancer. It is likely that it is benign and is being successfully treated.
Numbness after an injury is also a serious signal. A decrease in skin sensitivity may be caused by an open hemorrhage or a violation of tissue integrity.
Numbness and sore nerves
Sometimes it happens thatsensitivity is reduced not over the entire surface of the head, for example, the right side of the head becomes numb. The causes of such symptoms may lie in the inflammation of the nerves (trigeminal or facial).
If a person has an inflamed trigeminal nerve, then he will also experience pain when touched, dry skin, and involuntary twitching of facial muscles. The trigeminal nerve often becomes inflamed with advanced dental disease.
Inflammation of the facial nerve is first manifested by pain behind the ear, and only after that the sensitivity of the scalp decreases.
It happens that a person has pain and the back of the head goes numb at the same time. The reasons also lie in the inflammatory processes. With such symptoms, it should be assumed that the patient has an inflammation of the occipital nerve and he should consult a doctor.
How can I help myself?
Doctors say that such a symptom as numbness of the head occurs in he althy people. It is necessary to be alarmed and apply only if the decrease in sensitivity occurs systematically and for a long time. However, it is not recommended to delay treatment. The fact is that with a late visit, the doctor will no longer be able to establish the initial cause of the disease, and the patient will have to treat the neglected diagnosis for a long time.
Sometimes a patient can be sent for urgent hospitalization when his head goes numb. The reasons for this may be different, and hospitalization is indicated only in severe conditions.
Also, if the sensitivity of the scalp decreases, it is recommended to get a referral for a biochemical blood test. This is necessary in order to identify the presence of an inflammatory process and start treatment on time. If the cause is not in the head, then the neck and upper spine should be examined.
Disease Diagnosis
So, a lot of diseases were analyzed, due to which the scalp becomes numb. The causes of the disease must be diagnosed very carefully and only under the supervision of the attending physician. In modern medicine, there are a lot of methods for diagnosing this symptom. It is important to choose one that will really help identify the cause.
From the main methods for identifying the cause of head numbness, we can distinguish:
- computed tomography;
- MRI (indicated if the patient theoretically develops a benign or malignant tumor);
- electroneuromyography (helps identify the specific nerve that causes scalp numbness);
- x-ray;
- ultrasound examination of the vessels of the brain (ultrasound of the vessels of the cervical region can also be prescribed, if the doctor assumes that the cause of numbness lies precisely in cervical osteochondrosis).
Scalp numbness treatment
So, the doctor has established a disease from which the patient's head goes numb. The causes can be varied and treatment is prescribed based on what kind of ailment was diagnosed in the patient. There are two methods of treatment: non-drug and drug.
Non-drug treatments include acupuncture, physical therapy, and massage. It has been proven that medical massage helps to quickly restore blood circulation in the scalp, which relieves pain and eliminates numbness.
Drug treatment is prescribed when serious causes are identified. In case of hypertension and atherosclerosis, the doctor prescribes medicines that stop pressure surges or medicines that lower cholesterol levels. It is also possible to prescribe hormonal drugs to the patient or drugs that positively affect blood circulation.
If the cause of numbness is found to be of a neuralgic nature, then anticonvulsant medications or drugs that relieve muscle spasm are prescribed.
Disease prevention
It is known that the disease is easier to prevent than to cure. There are several general rules, thanks to which it is really possible to protect yourself from diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and neuralgia. First you need to follow a he althy lifestyle. However, you don't have to limit yourself to everything. You can, for example, drink alcohol, but only in small quantities.
It is also important to exercise and develop physically. A good physical shape can protect a person from such ailments as osteochondrosis. It's also important to eat right. To do this, you need to monitor your diet daily and exclude harmful foods. It must be remembered that a large amount of fatty,fried or sweet foods can significantly increase the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. Complete cessation of smoking will also be an excellent prevention.
