What causes numbness in the feet after sitting in bed for a long time, and what should be done about it?

Jun 05, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Jun

Introduction

Numbness in the feet after sitting in bed for a prolonged period may result from physiological causes, or it could be due to pathological conditions such as cervical spondylosis or lumbar disc herniation. Most cases can be improved through general treatments or medication. Besides these relatively common causes, this condition might also be triggered by piriformis syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or atherosclerosis.

Sitting in bed for a long time and experiencing numbness in the feet may be caused by physiological factors, or it could result from pathological conditions such as cervical spondylosis or lumbar disc herniation. Most cases can be improved through general treatments or medication. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Physiological Causes

Prolonged sitting may compress blood vessels in the lower limbs, impairing normal blood circulation and leading to foot numbness. This usually gradually resolves after appropriate physical activity.

2. Pathological Causes

1) Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is associated with degenerative changes or overgrowth in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. When present, this condition may compress surrounding nerves or the spinal cord, causing symptoms such as foot numbness. In such cases, medications should be used under medical guidance, including ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, celecoxib capsules, and mecobalamin tablets.

2) Lumbar Disc Herniation

Lumbar disc herniation is a common and frequently occurring condition in spinal surgery. The protruding nucleus pulposus may compress spinal nerves, resulting in numbness in the feet. Treatment options include waist-pain-relieving capsules (Yaobitong Jiaonang), etoricoxib tablets, and meloxicam tablets, used according to doctor's instructions.

Besides the above relatively common causes, foot numbness may also stem from piriformis syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or atherosclerosis. If symptoms persist for a prolonged period, timely medical evaluation is recommended to avoid delaying diagnosis and treatment.

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