Sometimes, when we sit in the same position for a long time, or when we sleep, our hands and feet get tingling, right? This feeling, which feels like ants running around or being pricked by needles, disappears after a while. This is normal. But if this tingling sensation in your hands and feet persists, or if it occurs frequently, it is not a good idea to simply ignore it. Because it may be a signal that gives us about some problem inside our body.
What is this tingling sensation?
In medicine, we call this condition paresthesia . In addition to tingling, some people may experience a tingling sensation, a burning sensation under the skin, or numbness.
Imagine that you are sitting cross-legged for a long time. Then a nerve in the lower leg gets pinched and your leg starts to tingle. But when you change your position, the tingling gradually goes away. This is what we call temporary tingling . This is not dangerous.
But if this tingling persists, occurs frequently, and is accompanied by pain, it could be due to nerve damage. This is called peripheral neuropathy . This is a condition that we should definitely be concerned about.
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves that run away from the brain and spinal cord, especially those in the hands and feet, become damaged. It can get worse over time, leading to difficulty walking and even permanent disability. That's why it's important to see a doctor right away if you have persistent tingling.
What are the main causes of tingling?
There are many causes of tingling in the hands and feet. The most common and most common cause is diabetes mellitus . About two-thirds of people with diabetes have some degree of nerve damage. Often, this tingling sensation can appear as one of the first symptoms of diabetes. It usually starts in the toes, moves up the legs, and then affects the hands.
Apart from diabetes, there are many other factors that can affect this. Let's look at this table to understand them clearly.
| Reason | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Nerve Compression | Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome , which is caused by compression of the nerve that passes through the wrist, and sciatica , which is caused by slipped discs between the vertebrae in the spine, can cause tingling in the hands or feet. |
| Vitamin Deficiencies | Vitamins E, B1, B6, B12, and niacin are essential for healthy nerve function. Vitamin B12 deficiency in particular is a major cause of sciatica. However, too much vitamin B6 can also cause sciatica. |
| Other diseases (Systemic Diseases) | This condition can also be caused by kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid hormone imbalances (hypothyroidism), and cancerous or benign tumors that put pressure on nerves. |
| Alcoholism | Alcoholics suffer from vitamin deficiencies due to poor eating habits. Alcohol also directly damages nerves (alcoholic neuropathy). |
| Toxins and Medications | Heavy metals such as lead and mercury, pesticides, and some medications (especially chemotherapy drugs for cancer) can damage nerves. |
| Autoimmune Diseases | Numbness can also be caused by diseases such as lupus , rheumatoid arthritis , and multiple sclerosis, in which the body's own immune system attacks the nerves. |
| Anxiety | During times of extreme stress and anxiety, you may also experience numbness in your hands, feet, fingers, and face. |
How does a doctor find this?
When you go to see a doctor to talk about this condition, he will first ask you a few questions. He will ask you a lot of details about your symptoms, your occupation, your lifestyle (such as alcohol use), and whether anyone in your family has had this type of neurological disease.
After that, a physical examination will be performed and, if necessary, a referral for several more tests may be made.
- Blood tests: Detect diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, kidney and liver function , and immune system problems.
- Nerve function tests: The NCV (Nerve Conduction Velocity) test, which measures the speed at which electrical signals travel through nerves, and the EMG (Electromyogram) test, which measures the electrical activity of muscles, are the most important of these.
- Other scans: CT scans or MRI scans can check for nerve compression or other damage.
- Nerve Biopsy : Very rarely, a small piece of a nerve may need to be taken and examined.
What are the treatments for this and what can we do?
Tingling is treated by finding and treating the underlying cause . The important thing is that if the nerve cells are not completely destroyed, they can regenerate.
- Treating the underlying condition: In case of diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels well can stop the progression of nerve damage. In case of vitamin deficiency, the condition can be cured by taking vitamins prescribed by the doctor.
- Medication: Your doctor may prescribe certain medications to control swelling and pain.
- Physical Therapy: Exercise and physical therapy are very helpful in strengthening muscles and improving balance.
- Lifestyle changes:
- Avoid smoking: Smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the nerves.
- Limit or stop drinking alcohol.
- Eating a balanced diet.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Exercising on the advice of a doctor.
Situations when you need to seek emergency medical attention
If you have a normal headache, you can see a doctor to find out the cause. However, if you experience one or more of the following symptoms along with your headache, you should go to a hospital's emergency room (ETU) immediately . These could be signs of a serious condition, such as a stroke.
| Warning signs - go to a hospital immediately! | |
|---|---|
| ⚫ Sudden difficulty speaking or change in vision. | |
| ⚫ Numbness and tingling on one side of the face, chest, or body. | |
| ⚫ Inability to control urine or stool. | |
| ⚫ Sudden extreme weakness. | |
| ⚫ Confusion or loss of consciousness. | |
Take-Home Message
- While temporary numbness that comes and goes is normal, persistent or frequent numbness can be a sign of a serious illness.
- The main reason for this is nerve damage due to diabetes (Peripheral Neuropathy).
- Never ignore numbness in your limbs. See your doctor as soon as possible to find the exact cause.
- Identifying and treating the cause early can prevent permanent nerve damage.
- If you experience symptoms such as sudden extreme weakness, loss of consciousness, or difficulty speaking, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
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