What causes numbness in both legs?
Disease description:
Recently, both of my legs have been experiencing frequent numbness. The numbness sometimes worsens after sitting for prolonged periods, and I also feel some difficulty walking. What could be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Leg numbness is a common symptom that can be caused by various factors. Medically, this phenomenon usually is related to nerve dysfunction, possibly due to nerve compression, poor blood circulation, or certain disease conditions. The following are some common possibilities:
1. Physiological causes: Maintaining the same posture for a prolonged period, such as sitting or standing for long durations, may slow down the blood circulation in the lower limbs, resulting in leg numbness. In such cases, moving the limbs usually provides relief within a few minutes.
2. Nerve compression: Spinal problems such as lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis can compress nerve roots, causing numbness in the lower limbs. This condition is usually accompanied by lower back pain or leg pain.
3. Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, especially those in the extremities, leading to peripheral neuropathy, which manifests as numbness, tingling, and other symptoms in the hands and feet.
4. Circulatory problems: Vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis can affect blood supply to the lower limbs, causing numbness and cold sensations.
5. Lumbar spine-related diseases: Conditions such as lumbar disc herniation may compress nerves leading to the legs, causing numbness and pain in both legs.
6. Cerebrovascular diseases: For example, cerebral infarction can reduce blood supply to the brain, leading to cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, which can affect nerve conduction and cause numbness in both legs.
If the numbness persists and is accompanied by discomfort such as pain or weakness, it is recommended to seek medical examination immediately.
