Numbness of the limbs is a common health problem that is sometimes due to incorrect sitting posture, but in other cases it may indicate a serious health problem such as circulatory disorders. German neurologist Professor Claudia Sommer explained that numbness of the limbs has many causes, some simple and some serious. She noted that the simple causes include uncomfortable sleep or sitting cross-legged for a long time. Numbness of the limbs is a common condition in the elderly, usually around the age of 50, because connective tissue becomes less elastic with age. In the case of simple causes, numbness of the limbs can be relieved by moving and stretching the limbs. In turn, German vascular surgery specialist Professor Alexander Oberhofer said that persistent numbness of the limbs indicates a serious health problem such as circulatory disorders, which occur due to blood clots or artery calcification; the muscles do not receive enough blood flow and the nerves are slowly damaged. The risk of serious circulatory disorders can be reduced by following a healthy lifestyle based on healthy nutrition, in particular reducing the consumption of red meat, while focusing on the Mediterranean diet, that is, eating plenty of legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts, as well as quitting smoking and regular exercise and physical activity. Numbness of the limbs may also indicate a herniated disc, which occurs when disc tissue presses on the nerves.
