Sometimes, when you stand up after sitting in the same position for a while, your arms or legs feel tingling, like ants running around, or like you're being pricked by needles, right? We've all experienced this. Most of the time, this is normal and harmless, but sometimes it can be a sign of a disease that needs some attention. So today, let's talk about this 'tingling'. In medicine, we call this Paresthesia .
Simply put, what is this tingling sensation (Paresthesia)?
Paresthesia is a strange sensation you feel on or under your skin. It can be experienced in a variety of ways.
- Pins and needles
- Tingling
- Burning sensation
- Feeling like ants are running through the body
- Feeling like something is moving under the skin
This sensation can occur anywhere in the body, for no apparent reason, and suddenly. We've all experienced it at some point in our lives.
There are two main types of Paresthesia:
1. Transient Paresthesia: This is the most common type. As the name suggests, it doesn't last long. Imagine you've been sitting with your leg crossed for a long time. When you stand up, you feel a tingling sensation in your leg. This sensation goes away after a while when you straighten your leg.
2. Chronic Paresthesia: This is the type we should be more concerned about. This tingling sensation is persistent and does not go away. It is usually a symptom of a medical condition. For example, a condition like `Carpal Tunnel Syndrome` (pinched nerve in the wrist) can cause this type of tingling sensation. It can also be caused by poor circulation or nerve damage. These can be more serious.
What are the causes of tingling?
The causes of temporary and permanent numbness are usually very different.
Transient Paresthesia
These are usually harmless. The main reason is that a nerve is compressed while in a certain position or the blood flow to that area is disrupted . It's like when you bend and tighten a water pipe, the water stops flowing. This is what we call a "numbness" in an arm or leg. When you change your position again and remove the compression, the blood flow returns to normal, and the sensation of being pricked by the needles returns.
Another example is when you hit your elbow somewhere, it feels like an electric shock going down your arm. We say you hit the 'funny bone'. What happens is that your `Ulnar nerve` gets a little pinched.
In addition, temporary tingling sensations can be caused by:
- Dehydration
- Rapid breathing (Hyperventilation) - sometimes when anxious
- Migraines
- Panic attacks
- Blueness in the extremities due to cold (Raynaud's syndrome)
- Some types of seizures
Persistent Paresthesia
If you have persistent or frequent tingling, there may be a serious underlying cause. Let's break these causes down into several main categories.
| Reason type | Examples and explanation |
|---|---|
| Blood circulation problems | When the blood supply to the nerves is disrupted, the nerves do not function properly. This can cause tingling sensations. For example: Thoracic outlet syndrome. |
| Nervous system problems | It can be caused by damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves anywhere in the body. For example, pinched nerves, herniated discs, strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), multiple sclerosis, head injuries, and brain tumors. |
| Metabolic and hormonal problems | Vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances can cause this. For example: nerve damage caused by diabetes (`Diabetes-related neuropathy`), deficiency of vitamins such as vitamins B12, B6, B1, decreased function of the thyroid gland (`Hypothyroidism`), menopause (`Menopause`). |
| Infections | Some infections can affect the nerves or brain and cause tingling. For example, Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can occur after a chest cold, herpes zoster (a condition that occurs later in someone who has had chickenpox), Lyme disease, and syphilis. |
| Immune system diseases (Autoimmune) | Diseases in which the body's own immune system attacks the nerves. For example: `Multiple Sclerosis (MS)`, `Lupus`, `Rheumatoid Arthritis`, `Sjögren's syndrome`. |
| Toxic effects | Some toxins can damage the nervous system. For example, excessive alcohol consumption, chemotherapy for cancer, ingestion of heavy metals such as lead or mercury, snake bites, insect bites. In such cases, you should immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of a hospital, and if necessary, call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. |
Is there a treatment for this?
Good question. Simple, temporary tingling sensations, like the one we experience when our legs tingle, don't require treatment. But in many other cases, treatment is necessary.
The most important thing is that treatment depends on the cause of the tingling, which means that treatment methods can vary greatly from person to person.
For example, if the tingling is caused by a vitamin deficiency, it can be treated by giving vitamins. If it is caused by diabetes, the main thing is to control the diabetes well. If a nerve is pinched, physical therapy or surgery may be necessary.
Therefore, only your doctor can tell you exactly whether you need treatment and what that treatment is.
When should we see a doctor about tingling?
If you have frequent or persistent tingling, do not try to treat it yourself without seeing a doctor.
Paresthesia can sometimes be a symptom of serious medical conditions that can even be life-threatening.
Therefore, be sure to see a doctor in cases like these:
- If the tingling occurs frequently or persists .
- If you have tingling in the same places on both sides of the body (e.g. both arms, both legs).
- If there are other symptoms along with the tingling (e.g. weakness in the limbs, loss of balance when walking, difficulty speaking, changes in vision).
- Even if these additional symptoms seem unrelated to the tingling, it is very important to tell your doctor about them.
Your doctor will examine you, run some tests if necessary, and explain to you what is causing this tingling sensation and what to do about it.
The difference between tingling, numbness, and neuropathy
These words are a bit confusing, but the difference is simple.
- Neuropathy: This is a general term for any condition that affects the nerves. Paresthesia can be one of the symptoms of such a condition.
- Numbness: This refers to the inability to feel anything or touch in a certain area.
- Paresthesia (tingling/strange sensation): This refers to a change in the sense of touch, a strange sensation (like pins and needles, burning).
Simply put, numbness and paresthesia are like two houses next door. Often, numbness occurs before the loss of sensation, or a tingling sensation occurs as sensation begins to return.
Take-Home Message
- Temporary things like tingling in one arm or leg while in the same position are normal. There's nothing to worry about.
- However, if you have tingling sensations that are frequent, persistent, or occur on both sides of your body at the same time, it is not normal.
- If you experience other symptoms, such as tingling, weakness in the limbs, or difficulty walking, seek medical advice without delay.
- Tingling is treated by finding the underlying cause. So don't self-diagnose and treat. Always see a qualified doctor.
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