
October 9, 2003
Aches and Pains
Question from Lenexa, Kansas, USA:
Would diabetes cause numbness in hands and fingers along with shooting pains in the arm?
Answer:
It is possible. However, the symptoms need to be taken in the greater context of the person. For instance, diabetes-related neuropathy is usually bilateral and not just on one side. It is frequently associated with similar symptoms in the lower extremities. There are also nerve compression symptoms that can cause the same symptoms you describe but they appear on only one side. Numbness in the hands can also be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. These symptoms can sometimes by separated from one another by a good physical exam and the use of a test called an electromyogram (EMG).
JTL