Contents
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.
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.
Beyond Just Numbness
Sensory loss isn't always just about numbness. Some conditions cause increased sensitivity or pain. For example, thalamic pain syndrome can occur after a stroke, causing severe pain that's triggered by touch. Doctors will consider these additional symptoms when making a diagnosis.
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.
Through physical exams, patient history, and sometimes lab or imaging tests.
The Bottom Line
While sensory loss can be concerning, understanding the patterns helps doctors pinpoint and treat the cause.
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.
- Kim JS, Lee JH, Lee MC. Patterns of sensory dysfunction in lateral medullary infarction. Clinical-MRI correlation. Neurology 1997; 49:1557.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Appointments available 24/7
Top licensed doctors
Available in all 50 states
Full service care
Prescriptions, referrals & treatment
No insurance needed
All notes available in Doctronic
15-min consultation. No hidden costs.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Please Chat With Our AI Doctor First
Our AI doctor assessment helps our human doctors prepare for your video visit and provide better care
For safety reasons we have been forced to end this consultation.
If you believe this is a medical emergency please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
If you are experiencing emotional distress, please call the the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your local crisis services immediately.
Contact us
You can also email us at help@doctronic.ai
We aim to reply within 5-7 days
How likely are you to recommend Doctronic to friends or family?