Published on: 4/28/2025
Whole body numbness and tingling can happen for several reasons, such as nerve damage from systemic diseases like diabetes, liver cirrhosis, autoimmune conditions like Behçet's disease or Sneddon’s syndrome, and even stroke-related issues.
When you feel numbness and tingling all over your body, it means your nerves are sending mixed-up signals. One reason for this is peripheral neuropathy, which can be seen in people with diabetes and liver cirrhosis. In cirrhosis, the liver’s problems may affect the blood and chemicals that help nerves work correctly. Some autoimmune conditions, like Behçet's disease, can also cause nerve problems, making you feel numb and tingly. Another possible cause is Sneddon’s syndrome, a rare condition where blood flow and small blood vessels are affected, sometimes leading to widespread neuropathic pain. In other cases, a stroke—especially in areas like the pons in the brain—might lead to unusual sensations. Although strokes usually affect one side of the body, they can sometimes cause mixed sensations that seem to spread. If you experience whole body numbness and tingling, especially if it comes on suddenly or is accompanied by other symptoms like weakness or confusion, it is important to talk with a healthcare provider who can check your nerves and overall health.
(References)
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Borhani-Haghighi A, Samangooie S, Ashjazadeh N, Nikseresht A, Shariat A, Yousefipour G, Safari A. Neurological manifestations of Behçet's disease. Saudi Med J. 2006 Oct;27(10):1542-6. PMID: 17013480.
Brigo F, Tomelleri G, Bovi P, Bovi T. Hemiparesthesias in lacunar pontine ischemic stroke. Neurol Sci. 2012 Jun;33(3):619-21. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0773-3. Epub 2011 Sep 11. PMID: 21910003.
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