What is lip numbness a symptom of?

Numbness of the lips (scientifically - paresthesia) provokes a sudden or gradual decrease in taste and tactile sensations.

Moreover, this condition does not cause any other discomfort, which is why it is often left unattended.

Nevertheless, such a symptom almost always progresses against the background of serious diseases and requires urgent consultation from a number of specialists.

Causes of lip numbness

Paresthesia is manifested in the patient by a sensation of pressure on a part of the labial muscle or jaw. However, there is no soreness or sensitivity to temperature effects. Numbness provokes disruptions in blood circulation and subsequent irritation of the nerve endings. And the preservation of this state for a long time leads to the death of nerve fibers and requires immediate treatment.

Sensory loss is predominantly affected by people with neurological, endocrine or dental pathologies. Individuals who are in prolonged stressful situations also often suffer from this phenomenon.

Diseases of the vertebrae

One of the reasons that lips and fingers become numb is degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, or osteochondrosis. Pathology is manifested by painful sensations due to changes in the discs and pinching of blood vessels and nerves by them. The next stage in the development of the disease is impaired blood circulation in the affected area, swelling and inflammation of the neck.

With an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, the clinical picture is supplemented:

• prolonged migraines;
• "Crunching" when turning the neck and slight soreness;
• deterioration of auditory and visual sensations.

Osteochondrosis often appears due to insufficient activity, intense physical exertion, and malnutrition.

Pinched nerves

With the development of neuropathy of the chin nerve in the victim, the lips and jaw become numb. The main factor in the occurrence of the problem in this case is localized diseases of the oral cavity.

Another reason for the condition in which the lower and upper lip grows numb is an acute inflammatory process and nerve damage.

Bell's palsy (the scientific name for the problem) is also characterized by:

• facial muscle atrophy;
• strabismus (squint);
• deterioration of auditory and taste sensations;
• decreased salivary fluid secretion;
• rhinorrhea.

A characteristic sign of this pathology is the inability to fold the lips into a tube due to damage to the nerve endings.

Allergies

Allergic manifestations - Another factor why lips go numb. Pathology varies in severity:

1. With urticaria (the most common phenomenon), the lips, tongue and chin area undergo paresthesia, and sensitivity around the mouth may decrease.
2. Allergy transforms into angioedema or Quincke's edema in an average of 20 minutes. Similar conditions are manifested by swelling of the hands and feet, genitals, ears and face.
3. The most serious allergic reaction is laryngeal edema. In the absence of help, it almost always leads to suffocation.

Hypertensive crisis

Another reason for numb lips is a hypertensive crisis. Experts call the main manifestations of this problem:

• shortness of breath;
• migraine;
• high blood pressure;
• chest pain;
• convulsions;
• fainting;
• nausea;
• paralysis.

Important! If you suspect a hypertensive crisis, you must urgently call an ambulance (especially if the patient has heart problems).

Hypoglycemic syndrome

Hypoglycemia occurs when the level of glucose in the patient's blood falls below the limit of 3.3-5.5 mmol / l. The syndrome manifests itself most often in diabetics, as well as after exhausting physical exertion, prolonged hunger strikes, and drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.

The symptomatology of the pathology undergoes several stages of development and is manifested by the fact that the victim has:

1. Mood changes, nervousness appears, headache and wants to eat.
2. The upper lip twitches and grows numb, sweating and hunger increase.
3. Pupils dilate, pressure rises, convulsions occur. The person loses consciousness.
4. The brain swells, and the patient falls into a coma.

After visiting the dentist

Tingling and paresthesia of the lip can also occur after tooth treatment or after wisdom tooth extraction. A similar condition occurs when a dentist touches or damages nerve endings during surgery.

In case of impaired blood circulation due to dental intervention, paresthesia may also appear.

Among the "dental" reasons for the loss of sensitivity of the lips and tongue are also distinguished:

• stomatitis;
• gingivitis;
• oral injuries;
• rubbing with dentures;
• misalignment of bite (due to pulling out teeth);
• wiping of the dentition;
• metal prosthetics;
• periostitis.

Avitaminosis

The most innocent reason for the numbness of the lip is the lack of B vitamins, which act as catalysts for the central nervous system. In addition, in the absence of useful substances of this group, the patient has alopecia and even convulsions.

A deficiency of glycine and calcium in an adult can provoke a condition due to which lower lip twitches.

Shingles

A dangerous disease leading to loss of sensitivity of the mouth, tingling and itching in this area, experts call herpes zoster.

The clinical picture of the pathology is complemented by blisters of a rash, painful joints, high temperature and enlarged lymph nodes.

Diabetes

The phenomenon of numbness of the lower lip on the left or right side often causes diabetes mellitus. The disease is manifested by the following clinical signs:

• intense thirst;
• frequent urination;
• weight loss;
• itchy skin;
• weakness and so on.

Advice! Measuring blood glucose levels will help diagnose autoimmune pathology in the early stages.

Migraine

Numbness of the upper and lower lip, as well as the muscles around the mouth, can be due to migraine attacks. Episodic or systematic severe pains capture the entire head or half of it. The condition is accompanied by speech disorders, fog in front of the eyes and tingling sensations in the chin area.

The causes of migraine are still not fully understood.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is considered one of the worst autoimmune diseases that destroy the sheath of nerve fibers. The first signs of pathology are paresthesia and burning in the lips and chin.

In addition, the disease is characterized by:

• shaky gait;
• loss of vision;
• periodic movement disorders;
• shortness of breath.

Glossalgia

Experts consider numbness of the lips and tongue to be the main symptoms. glossalgia. Pathology most often manifests itself in women after 40 years and very rarely in men.

The reasons for the development of this disease of the oral cavity are considered:

• trauma;
• violations of blood flow in the capillaries;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• stress;
• fatigue;
• emotional outbursts.

Infections

Numbness in the area above the upper lip can cause herpes. Also, the causes of paresthesia of the mouth and other parts of the body are called meningitis and otitis media.

Concomitant clinical signs of these infectious diseases are:

• pain in the area of ​​the inflamed nerve;
• sore eyes;
• lingering rhinitis;
• lacrimation.

Alcohol

Lips can also go numb after drinking alcohol. This is due to a change in the state of the blood vessels after taking alcohol and, accordingly, a violation of the blood supply.

Important! Only a specialist can unmistakably establish the cause of paresthesia after an examination, collection clinical analyzes, MRI, X-ray, ECG, CT, Doppler, ultrasound, electroneuromyography and others research.

What to do - how to eliminate numbness?

At the first signs of loss of sensitivity of the lips or other parts of the body, it is better to seek the advice of a specialist. He will conduct a thorough examination and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Most often, with various kinds of paresthesias, they are prescribed:

• Agaricus (to eliminate muscle tension and pain relief);
• Cedrone (to eliminate numbness);
• Calmium (in order to normalize sensitivity and restore blood flow);
• Magnesium phosphoricum (for the resumption of nervous activity);
• Mesereum (in the performance of a general strengthening effect);
• Spigelia (to calm and relieve pain);
• Verbascum (locally and internally);
• Viola odorata (as an antispasmodic, neuroleptic and general tonic),

In addition to these funds, the doctor will also prescribe other drugs. Depending on the provoking factor, these can be:

• antifungal medicines;
• vitamin complexes;
• means for the normalization of metabolic processes;
• drugs to maintain proper blood sugar levels, etc.

In severe cases, the specialist will advise surgery.

Physiotherapy (eg electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, mud therapy, or diadynamic currents) is a good adjunct to medication.

Regardless of the prescribed treatment, a prerequisite for alleviating the condition with loss of sensitivity is adherence to the regimen:

• eating healthy food;
• walks in the fresh air;
• charger;
• control of pressure and sugar levels;
• moderate physical activity.

When a problem cannot be ignored - possible consequences

Prolonged loss of sensation is a good reason to see a doctor.

After all, pathologies that cause paresthesia can provoke serious complications:

• psychopathy;
• vegetative dystonia;
• auditory and visual changes;
• tissue atrophy;
• fragility of blood vessels and nerve fibers;
• difficulties in serving your own person in everyday life;
• disorders of motor functions;
• paralysis;
• asphyxia.

To establish the reasons and purpose of treatment, it is worth visiting a therapist, dentist, ENT specialist and neurologist.

Paresthesia in itself does not pose a danger to human health. However, it is one of the main signs of the development of serious diseases, which, in turn, can lead to irreversible changes in the human body.

Early referral to a specialist and adequate treatment are the best ways to deal with this problem.