When you wake up after being in the same position for a long time, or when you sleep with one arm under your head, do you feel tingling in your hands and feet, like ants running around , or like pins and needles? Almost all of us have experienced this. This is what we call Paresthesia in medicine. Usually, this is a harmless condition that goes away within a few minutes. However, if this tingling sensation persists or occurs frequently, it could be a symptom of a medical condition. So today, let's find out exactly what it is.
What is the difference between 'Paresthesia' and 'Neuropathy'?
Many people confuse the two. Simply put, Neuropathy is a general term for any condition that affects our nervous system. Paresthesia can be one of the symptoms of Neuropathy.
But remember, not all tingling is neuropathy. Most of the time, the tingling we feel is temporary. That is, when a limb is pinched, blood flow is impaired, and it is normal to feel it again when it is released.
In addition to tingling, many other symptoms can be seen in neuropathy .
| Other symptoms that may occur in a neuropathy condition |
|---|
| - In addition to tingling in the limbs, those areas feel very lifeless . |
| - A sharp pain or burning sensation, like a knife. |
| - Feeling pain even when touched in a way that would not normally cause pain (e.g., when a towel touches the body). |
| - Losing balance and falling frequently. |
| - Weakening of the muscles. |
| - A strange feeling, as if you are wearing socks on your hands and gloves on your feet. |
Consider whether you just have a tingling sensation, or if it's a tingling sensation that comes with other symptoms like these.
What can cause tingling?
Let's divide the reasons for this into two main categories. One is temporary tingling. The other is persistent, or frequent, tingling.
1. Causes of temporary tingling (Transient Paresthesia)
This is the most common type of numbness we all experience. It occurs when a nerve or blood vessel is temporarily compressed. Once the compression is relieved, the tingling sensation goes away.
Think about it, when you stand up after sitting cross-legged for a long time, your legs start to tingle, right? That's the best example of this. Also, when you bump your elbow somewhere, it hits the 'funny bone' and feels like a current going down your arm, which also belongs to this type.
Other temporary reasons:
- Dehydration: When there is not enough water in the body.
- Hyperventilation : Breathing rapidly when you are very anxious or scared.
- Migraines: Some people may experience a tingling sensation before the pain of a migraine.
- Panic attacks.
- Raynaud's syndrome : A condition in which the fingers and toes turn pale, blue, and tingly when exposed to cold.
2. Causes of Persistent Tingling (Chronic Paresthesia)
If tingling persists or occurs frequently, it could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. There can be many causes for this.
Nervous system problems
Tingling can occur due to medical conditions that damage or compress our nerves.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome : A pinched nerve that runs through the wrist. This is common in people who work at a computer or use their hands repeatedly.
- Spinal problems: A herniated disc in the neck or back can cause a pinched nerve.
- Stroke or brain hemorrhage.
- Diabetes Mellitus: If diabetes is not controlled, over time, the nerves in the limbs can be damaged, causing numbness and weakness. This is called `Diabetic Neuropathy`.
- Diseases that affect the nervous system itself, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) .
- Other injury to the head or nerves.
Metabolic and hormonal problems
Tingling can also occur due to changes in body chemistry or hormones.
- Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiency of vitamins essential for nerve function, especially vitamins B12, B6, B1, and B5 .
- Hypothyroidism.
- Diabetes.
- Kidney failure (Uremia).
- Menopause.
Other conditions and causes
- Immune system diseases: Diseases like `Lupus` and `Rheumatoid Arthritis` that attack our own body's cells.
- Infections: Infections such as `Shingles` (a condition that can occur after chickenpox), `HIV`, `Lyme disease`.
- Poisoning: Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, some pesticides, excessive alcohol consumption.
- Some medications: Some medications used for cancer chemotherapy, such as medications used for HIV, can cause numbness as a side effect.
- Pregnancy: Changes in the body during pregnancy can cause tingling sensations due to pressure on the nerves.
- If the tingling sensation occurs frequently .
- If the tingling sensation lasts for a long time or gradually increases .
- If you feel weakness, pain, or a sense of helplessness along with the tingling sensation.
- If you feel like you've lost your balance .
- If you feel the same tingling sensation on both sides of your body.
- Temporary 'pins and needles' or tingling sensations caused by a pinched nerve are normal and harmless.
- However, if the tingling persists, occurs frequently, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, weakness, or numbness, do not ignore it.
- Tingling can be caused by various medical conditions such as diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and nerve compression.
- Avoid self-diagnosis. If you have any doubts about this, always consult your doctor to find the correct cause and seek treatment.
Important: If you suspect you have been exposed to a poison of this type, go to a hospital immediately. If necessary, you can also call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
When should you see a doctor?
There is nothing to be afraid of if you experience temporary numbness and tingling that goes away. However, you should definitely see your doctor in the following cases:
Emergency! If you experience numbness and tingling along with sudden inability to speak, weakness on one side of your body, drooping of one side of your face, or loss of consciousness, it could be a sign of a serious condition such as a stroke. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
When you see your doctor, he or she will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. If necessary, they may order blood tests, nerve conduction studies, or an MRI scan to help determine the exact cause of your tingling. Treatment depends on the cause of the tingling. When the cause is treated, the tingling will usually go away.
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