Almost everyone has had a foot “fall asleep.” That pins-and-needles feeling usually fades in a minute. But when numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness keeps coming back, spreads, or starts to affect how you walk or use your hands, it can be a sign that your nerves need attention.

At Doral Neurological Services, board-certified neurologist Dr. Silvana Gonzalez Reiley evaluates patients from Doral, Hialeah, Miami Springs, and the rest of West Miami-Dade who are dealing with these symptoms. Here’s what can cause them, the signs that shouldn’t wait, and what to expect at a neurology visit.

Sudden numbness can be an emergency

Call 911 right away if numbness or weakness comes on suddenly, especially on one side of the body, or if it comes with a drooping face, trouble speaking, confusion, vision loss, or a severe headache. These can be signs of a stroke, and every minute matters.

What causes ongoing numbness and tingling?

Numbness and tingling that keep returning are often caused by neuropathy, which is damage to the peripheral nerves that carry signals between your brain and spinal cord and the rest of your body. Neuropathy usually starts in the hands and feet. Common causes include:

• Diabetes and high blood sugar: one of the most common causes of nerve damage in the feet.

• Vitamin deficiencies: especially low vitamin B12.

• Thyroid or kidney problems.

• Certain medications, including some chemotherapy drugs.

• Heavy alcohol use.

• Autoimmune conditions, in which the immune system affects the nerves.

• A pinched or compressed nerve, such as carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist or a herniated disc in the neck or lower back.

Numbness and tingling can also come from conditions of the brain and spinal cord, such as multiple sclerosis. That’s one reason an accurate diagnosis matters.

Signs it’s time to see a neurologist

Make an appointment if you notice any of these:

• Numbness, tingling, or burning that lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back

• Symptoms that are spreading, for example from your toes up into your feet and legs

• Weakness, dropping things, or trouble with buttons or writing

• Problems with balance, or feeling unsteady when you walk

• Pain that keeps you up at night

• You have diabetes and are starting to notice changes in your feet

Neuropathy is often easier to manage when it’s found early, so it’s worth getting checked rather than waiting it out.

What happens at your neurology visit

Dr. Gonzalez Reiley starts by listening. She’ll ask when your symptoms started, where you feel them, what makes them better or worse, and about your health history and medications. A neurological exam checks your strength, reflexes, sensation and balance.

Depending on what she finds, she may recommend blood work to look for causes such as diabetes or vitamin deficiencies, and nerve testing to measure how well your nerves are working. Everything is explained in plain language, so you leave knowing what’s going on and what comes next.

How neuropathy is treated

Treatment depends on the cause. It can include treating the underlying condition, such as better blood-sugar control or correcting a vitamin deficiency, medication for nerve pain, and steps to protect your feet and improve balance. Our clinic diagnoses and treats all types of neuropathy, including peripheral, autonomic and cranial neuropathy.

Neuropathy care in Doral, close to Hialeah and Miami Springs

Doral Neurological Services is at 7950 NW 53rd St, Suite 208, Doral, FL 33166, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We see patients from across West Miami-Dade, and we speak Spanish. Most health plans are accepted, including CarePlus, Aetna, Molina, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Medicaid and others.

Call (786) 452-1067 to book your appointment.

¿Tiene adormecimiento u hormigueo en las manos o los pies?

Hablamos español. La Dra. Silvana Gonzalez Reiley, neuróloga certificada, evalúa y trata la neuropatía en nuestra oficina de Doral. Si los síntomas aparecen de repente en un lado del cuerpo, llame al 911. Para hacer una cita, llame al (786) 452-1067.