Symptom: Arm numbness

Introduction: Arm numbness

Numbness usually arises from damage or disease of nerves. Numbness is often associated with or preceded by abnormal pain-like sensations often described as pins-and-needles, prickling or burning sensations called paresthesias; see arm paresthesias. Any numbness or abnormal sensations need prompt professional medical advice.

» Review Causes of Arm numbness: full list

Causes of Arm numbness

• Acroosteolysis neurogenic - numb hands
• Acroparesthesia syndrome - hand numbness
• Amyloidosis AL - arm numbness
• Angina - numbness in left arm
• Arachnoid Cysts - arm numbness

See all 58 causes of Arm numbness

Causes of Types of Arm numbness:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Arm numbness:

• Hand numbness (32 causes)
• Finger numbness (29 causes)

More types of Arm numbness

Arm numbness: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Arm numbness, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Arm numbness: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Arm numbness and Arm symptoms (58 causes)
• Arm numbness and Nerve symptoms (58 causes)
• Arm numbness and Numbness (58 causes)
• Arm numbness and Pain (58 causes)
• Arm numbness and Sensations (58 causes)
• Arm numbness and Limb symptoms (44 causes)
• Arm numbness and Paresthesias (42 causes)
• Arm numbness and Weakness (41 causes)
• Arm numbness and Leg symptoms (38 causes)
• Arm numbness and Arm paresthesia (37 causes)
• Arm numbness and Hand symptoms (35 causes)
• Arm numbness and Hand numbness (32 causes)
• Arm numbness and Leg numbness (31 causes)
• Arm numbness and Muscle symptoms (30 causes)
• Arm numbness and Muscle weakness (27 causes)
• Arm numbness and Head symptoms (26 causes)
• Arm numbness and Hand paresthesia (24 causes)
• Arm numbness and Digestive symptoms (23 causes)
• Arm numbness and Behavioral symptoms (23 causes)
• Arm numbness and Foot symptoms (22 causes)

See full list of 1030 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Arm numbness

Home Diagnostic Testing and Arm numbness

Home medical tests possibly related to Arm numbness:

• Diabetes: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Tests
  • Home Blood Glucose Tests
  • Home Urine Glucose Tests
  • Home Urine Ketone Tests
  • Home Diabetes HbA1c Tests
  • Home Microalbumin Tests (Kidney)
  • Home Urine Protein Tests (Kidney)
  • Home Kidney Tests
  • Home Eye Tests

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Arm symptoms (1076 causes)
• Numbness (242 causes)
• Pain (3014 causes)
• Sensations (3186 causes)
• Nerve symptoms (3495 causes)
• Limb symptoms (1032 causes)
• Common symptoms (4555 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Arm numbness

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Arm numbness:

• Arm paresthesia (58 causes)
• Arm burning (11 causes)
• Arm pain (123 causes)
• Arm symptoms (1076 causes)
• Arm injury
• Arm tingling (58 causes)
• Arm numbness (58 causes)
• Elbow symptoms (52 causes)
• Hand symptoms (861 causes)
• Finger symptoms (770 causes)

Diagnostic Guides for Arm numbness

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts from published book sections related to Arm numbness from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Arm numbness. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Arm numbness

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Arm numbness

Vitamin B12 deficiency under-diagnosed: The condition of Vitamin B12 deficiency is a possible misdiagnosis of various conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (see symptoms of multiple sclerosis). See symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency or misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis....read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Arm numbness

Diagnostic tests for Arm numbness:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Arm numbness. Some of these are listed below :

• General appearance - abnormal posture, muscle wasting, abnormal arm movements.
• Physical examination
  • May be necessary to examine a variety of joints including the cervical spine, shoulder, elbow , wrists and the various joints of the hand
  • Test muscle tone, power, reflexes and co-ordination of upper limbs
  • Test sensation of upper limbs - including pain , touch , temperature and vibration sensation.

See full list of 27 diagnostic tests for Arm numbness

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Arm numbness. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• How long have you noticed numbness in your arm? - to establish if acute or chronic.
• What areas of the arm are affected by the numbness? - E.g. forearm, elbow, shoulder - can help determine which nerves are affected.
• Are both arms affected and is it symmetrical? - helps determine which nerves are affected e.g. peripheral neuropathy is symmetrical compared with individual nerve or nerve root disease which should be suspected if sensory loss is asymmetrical or confined to one limb.
• Is the hand also affected by the numbness? - helps determine which nerves are affected.
• Is there a time of day when arm numbness is worse? - can help determine the cause of arm numbness e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome is usually worse at night.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Arm numbness (57 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Arm numbness) may include:

• Arm pain? - if also pain in the involved extremity this usually suggests herniated cervical disc , spinal cord tumor or cervical spondylosis. Other conditions to consider are brachial plexus neuropathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, cervical rib, Pancoast's tumour, Raynaud's disease, sympathetic dystrophy or various entrapment syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.
• Arm weakness?
• Neck pain?
• Are there any other areas of the body which are numb? - e.g. numbness of the face would suggest a diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, a mass in the brain, migraine or multiple sclerosis.
• Headaches? - may suggest migraine or mass in brain.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Arm numbness (57 listings)

Stories from Users for Arm numbness

Real-life user stories relating to Arm numbness:

• Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
• Numbness in left arm, lump below ear and ringing in ear
• Arm numbness w/ neck injuries in a accident
• my face and arms are tingling and numb
• Severe left foot/ankle swelling, left arm numbness
• Heart Pallpitations, Left Arm Numb, Dizzy!!!
• Left arm and hand numbness for 2yrs
• Woke up with sudden numbness in hand and arm.
• Arm numbness, please help
• Tingling sensations leg, arm, face
• pain in underarm(armpit), numbness in arm.Went numb all over yesterday.
• bouts of numbness in left arm
• Vision Loss, Left arm, face and neck go numb or in pain.
• When I turn Head to left (ext) I get dizzy, numb in right arm and leg
• Arm numb
• Weird Sensations in Left Arm
• leg and arm numbness coming with anger and brain burning
• Arm Numbness
• Arm pain and numbness -- for 5 years now!
• Arm Numbness

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Arm numbness or relevant symptoms:

• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (171)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Hand numbness
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • Anxiety and high BP
  • More user stories
• Respiratory (Lungs and Breathing) (136)
  • Chlorine/ammonia odor when I breathe
  • Chest Pain/Pain While Breathing
  • Clearing throat cough and breathing difficulties
  • Chest discomfort
  • Unable to get diagnosis....please help!
  • More user stories
• Musculoskeletal (Muscles, joints and bones) (405)
  • Joint and muscular pain after taking chantix
  • Arm pain after sneezing
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Joint swelling, stiffness, severe foot pain
  • Muscle twitches/spasms
  • More user stories
• Neurological (Nerves) (357)
  • Could this be MS?
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • Eye twitch
  • Essential tremor
  • More user stories
• Endocrine (Growth and Metabolism) (93)
  • Symptoms of Cushing's - Tests all negative
  • Has anyone been diagnosed with Wilson's Temperature Syndrome and are being treated??
  • Pitutary tumor
  • I am at my wits end with these symptoms
  • I think I have Cushings, can you help?
  • More user stories
• Hematologic/Lymphatic (Blood and Lymph) (106)
  • High platelet count
  • Extreme neck pain, swollen lymph node -help
  • Swollen lymph nodes in groin
  • Nipple Discharge
  • Swollen Lymph Node for 2 1/2 months
  • More user stories

Videos for Arm numbness

Patient Surveys for Arm numbness

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Medications or substances causing Arm numbness:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Arm numbness as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Adenosine
• Adenocard
• Adenoscan
• Fungizone Intravenous
• Capace

See full list of 17 medications causing Arm numbness

Organs affected by Arm numbness:

The list of organs typically affected by Arm numbness may include, but is not limited to:

• Arm
• Arm nerves

Detailed list of causes of Arm numbness

The list below shows some of the causes of Arm numbness mentioned in various sources:

• Acroosteolysis neurogenic - numb hands
• Acroparesthesia syndrome - hand numbness
• Amyloidosis AL - arm numbness
• Angina - numbness in left arm
• Arachnoid Cysts - arm numbness

See full list of 58 causes of Arm numbness

How Common are these Causes of Arm numbness?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Arm numbness. Of the 58 causes of Arm numbness that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 3 causes are "very common" diseases
• 4 causes are "common" diseases
• 2 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 0 causes are "rare" diseases
• 2 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 53 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 58 causes of Arm numbness

Conditions listing symptoms: Arm numbness:

The following list of conditions have 'Arm numbness' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Arm numbness Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Arm numbness based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: