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Paresthesia is inappropriate sensation of stimuli as a result of damage to peripheral nerves. They manifest as burning, stinging, tingling, burning around the skin. These are unpleasant symptoms often referred to as numbness and tingling. The disease appears suddenly and disappears quickly, affecting the arms or legs. Although tingling and numbness are not related to pain, they are uncomfortable.
Paresthesia – symptoms
Paresthesia gives characteristic symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- altered skin temperature at the paresthesia site – a distinct feeling of heat or cold,
- feeling of numbness and tingling.
Occasionally, paraesthesia may be accompanied by additional symptoms such as, for example, paralysis, weakness, speech or vision problems, prolonged loss of limb control, and lightheadedness. In the event of the above-mentioned symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.
Paresthesia – causes
The causes of paresthesia are fairly well understood. The disease often appears, inter alia, in in case of:
- peripheral nerve injuries,
- diabetes
- ischemic heart disease,
- discopathy,
- poisoning with toxic substances,
- degenerative spine disease,
- damage to the central nervous system,
- multiple sclerosis,
- tumors,
- frostbite,
- hypothyroidism
- shingles infections,
- stroke,
- mental disorders,
- urolithiasis,
- atherosclerosis,
- carpal tunnel syndrome,
- brain hypoxia.
Sometimes paresthesia may be the result of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, e.g. vitamin B12, calcium, potassium.
Paresthesia – treatment
Treatment of paresthesia should be preceded by a thorough diagnosis. Thanks to this, the doctor will be able to find the root cause of the problem, which will translate into the selection of the appropriate treatment method.
Tests such as:
- x-ray examination,
- ultrasound examination,
- magnetic resonance imaging,
- angiogram,
- elektromyografia i elektroneurografia (EMG i ENG).
Sometimes the doctor decides to perform computed tomography of the head and spine – the examination will help to exclude changes in the nervous system that may affect the formation of paresthesia.
Paresthesia is treated in two ways:
- it consists in eliminating the root cause of tingling and numbness – e.g. balancing blood sugar levels, supplementing vitamin B12 deficiency, restoring the proper functioning of the thyroid gland,
- consists in the use of anesthetic creams – as a form of symptomatic treatment.
Paresthesia – prognosis
Paresthesia wears off very quickly, but has a tendency to relapse. If the tingling sensation or numbness in the limbs occurs too often, please contact your doctor.
Paresthesia – prophylaxis
Paresthesias can be effectively prevented or less likely to occur. The key is to start treating the disease that causes persistent tingling and numbness in the limbs. A well-composed diet can also play an important role – a menu that will not lack vitamins and minerals that can cause troublesome ailments. It is also worth minimizing medication intake – the less burdened the body, the lower the risk of paresthesia.