Sensory Loss: What's Going On When You Can't Feel?
Published: Apr 26, 2024
Sensory loss can be a confusing and scary experience. This article breaks down what's happening in your body when you lose feeling and how doctors figure out the cause.
Contents
Types of Sensory Loss
Sensory loss comes in different forms. Hypoesthesia means decreased ability to feel sensations like pain, temperature, or touch. Anesthesia is the complete inability to feel these sensations. Hypalgesia refers to decreased pain sensitivity, while analgesia means you can't feel pain at all. On the flip side, some conditions cause increased sensitivity to sensations.
How Doctors Investigate
When you visit a doctor for sensory loss, they'll perform a sensory examination. This involves testing your ability to feel different sensations like touch, vibration, and temperature. The doctor will also check your sense of where your body parts are positioned (proprioception). By mapping out where you have sensory loss, doctors can narrow down the possible causes.
Common Patterns and Causes
Different patterns of sensory loss point to different causes. Loss in part of a limb might mean a problem with a single nerve. Loss on both sides of the body could indicate issues with the spinal cord or a condition affecting many nerves (polyneuropathy). One-sided loss often means a problem in the brain. A 'stocking-glove' pattern, where hands and feet are affected, is common in diabetes and other conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the cause; some types are treatable, others may be managed.
Not necessarily; some causes are temporary or reversible.
Sudden loss warrants prompt medical attention to rule out serious causes.
Stress rarely directly causes sensory loss, but can exacerbate some conditions.
Key Takeaways
While sensory loss can be concerning, understanding the patterns helps doctors pinpoint and treat the cause.
If you're experiencing unexplained sensory changes, don't hesitate to discuss your symptoms with Doctronic for personalized guidance.Related Articles
References
Gilman S, Newman SW. Manter and Gatz's Essentials of Clinical Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, 8th ed, FA Davis, Philadelphia 1992.
Duus P. Topical Diagnosis in Neurology, 2nd ed, Thieme Medical, New York 1989.
Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.