General description of the disease
This is a term for a burning or tingling sensation that usually occurs in the limbs. However, it can occur in other parts of the body as well.
Often this feeling occurs suddenly, and this form is one of the most painless types of paresthesia. Surely, many experienced it when, for example, they sat on their feet for a long time or crossed them, and then got up. Or if you crushed your hand.
In such cases, muscles and nerves are squeezed, blood flow is impeded. That is why this tingling sensation comes in. When the pressure eases, the unpleasant sensation goes away.
However, chronic paresthesia does not go away as quickly as temporary, and often causes more severe discomfort.[1].
Everyone can experience temporary paresthesia, but with age, the risk of developing this disease increases. Also at risk are people whose activities are associated with repeated clenching and unclenching of nerves: office workers who type a lot, musicians, athletes, in particular tennis players. Increased chances of suffering from paresthesia in people with type 1 and 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders[4]..
The reasons that provoke the occurrence of paresthesia
The main cause of paresthesia is pressure on the nerve. When it weakens, the unpleasant feeling goes away. But in some cases this does not help, the tingling sensation is constantly present. This is a chronic paresthesia that can be a sign of nerve damage or disease. Chronic paresthesia is caused by such factors:
- 1 Injury or accident that caused nerve damage.
- 2 A stroke or mini-stroke is when blood flow to the brain is restricted and causes damage.
- 3 Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system.
- 4 Diabetes is a blood sugar disorder that can damage nerves over time.
- 5 A pinched nerve (often in the neck, shoulder, or arm) from injury or overuse.
- 6 Sciatica – pressure on the sciatic nerve (which runs from the lower pelvis to the buttocks and legs) is a common problem during pregnancy that usually causes numbness and pain in the back or legs.
- 7 Lack of certain vitamins, especially low levels of vitamin B12, which is necessary to keep the nerves in good health.
- 8 Alcohol abuse.
- 9 Taking medications – for example, certain types of chemotherapy that irritate or damage nerves, as well as certain antibiotics, birth control pills[3].
Among other common causes of paresthesia, doctors call the following:
- migraine;
- neuropathy;
- malnutrition;
- menopause;
- dehydration;
- fibromyalgia;
- herpes zoster;
- hypoglycemia;
- Fabry disease;
- nervous irritation;
- atherosclerosis;
- immune deficiency;
- metabolic disease;
- lidocaine poisoning;
- taking anticonvulsants;
- lupus erythematosus;
- neurological disorders;
- motor neuron diseases;
- Lyme disease;
- autoimmune disorders;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- Guillain-Barré syndrome[2].
Paresthesia symptoms
Paresthesia can affect any part of the body, but it usually manifests itself in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
The most common symptoms are numbness of a limb or other affected area, a feeling of weakness in it, tingling, burning, or vice versa – a feeling of coldness, muscle atrophy, restless legs syndrome, a feeling of crawling on the skin.
Chronic paresthesia can cause stabbing pain. This can lead to clumsiness in the affected limb. When paresthesia occurs in the legs and feet, it makes walking much more difficult.
If a symptom of paresthesia occurs, which does not disappear within a short time and worsen the quality of life, you should definitely consult a doctor. This could be a sign that the person has an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.[4].
Types of paresthesia
There are two types of paresthesia in total. Transient and chronic… The first occurs for a short time as a consequence of migraines, injuries, taking certain medications, as well as mechanical compression of nerves and muscles, which happens when sitting on your feet or squeezing your hand.
Chronic paresthesia can result from disorders that affect the central nervous system. For example, such as transient ischemic attacks or strokes, multiple sclerosis or encephalitis.
Vascular lesions or tumor-like growths can press on the spinal cord or brain of a person and cause the development of paresthesia. However, the onset of the disease for these reasons is a rather rare case.
More often, paresthesia develops after suffering nerve damage from infections, trauma, inflammation or other conditions[1].
Complications with paresthesia
Paresthesia in most cases is a symptom that can cause complications of the primary or underlying disease that provoked its appearance.
For example, people with paresthesias may have difficulty walking or grasping objects with their hand, depending on which limb is affected.
People with impaired sensation may be unable to detect damage (eg, burns, puncture wounds), which can lead to infection in the extremities.
Loss of sensation in the legs can lead to an increased risk of falling[5].
Prevention of paresthesia
Paresthesia is not always preventable. After all, even temporary paresthesia can happen from the fact that you have transmitted a nerve on your arm in a dream. We have no control over this. But in order to avoid unpleasant sensations about passing paresthesia, you can, for example, give up the habit of sitting on your feet. This way you will not feel a tingling sensation in them.
To prevent chronic paresthesia, follow the simple tips below.
- Avoid repetitive movements if possible.
- Rest often if you need to perform repetitive movements.
- Get up and warm up as often as possible.
- If you suffer from diabetes or any other chronic disease, get timely and regular check-ups. Diagnosing and treating diseases can help reduce the risk of paresthesia[4].
Diagnosis of paresthesia
If a person experiences persistent symptoms of paresthesia for no apparent reason, he should definitely see a doctor. It is important to describe the medical history to the doctor as fully as possible, as well as to tell about any repetitive movements that could provoke pressure on the nerve. It is also important to talk about all the medications the patient is taking.
If a person with complaints suffers from diabetes, then an additional examination will be needed to help identify the presence or absence of nerve damage. A doctor may conduct a complete physical examination, including a neurological examination, as well as laboratory blood tests. A lumbar puncture may be prescribed, which will help rule out a number of diseases.
If the doctor suspects that the problem is in the neck or spine, he may send the patient for an x-ray, computer scan, or MRI. Depending on the results obtained, the treatment can be continued by another specialist – a neurologist, endocrinologist or orthopedist [4].
Treatment of paresthesia in mainstream medicine
Treatment for paresthesia depends on the diagnosis that provoked its appearance. If the limbs are numb, then their blood circulation can be restored with the help of exercises, stretching or massaging the affected area.
If paresthesia is caused chronic diseasesuch as diabetes, or as a complication of treatment (for example, after a course of chemotherapy), most treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve mild discomfort.
Antidepressants may be prescribed for people with more severe paresthesia. Their dosage for the treatment of paresthesia is significantly lower than the dosage of antidepressants that a doctor may prescribe to combat depression. In this case, it is generally accepted that medications help change a person’s perception of pain.
There are also a number of alternative therapies that can help relieve the symptoms of paresthesia. For example, a special diet that includes a complex of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. But vitamin supplements are something to be treated with caution. Because an overdose of vitamin B6, for example, is one of the causes of paresthesia.
Doctors may prescribe acupuncture and massage, which are believed to help significantly alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Self-massage with aromatic oils is sometimes useful.[2].
Useful products for paresthesia
Deficiency of vitamin B12 leads to anemia, nerve damage, and, as a result, the development of paresthesia. In a June 2002 report in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, paresthesia is very common among people with vitamin B12 deficiency.
Lack of this vitamin B-12 causes peripheral neuropathy and damage to the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, which manifests itself in the form of impaired mental function, weakness, difficulty in balance and walking, paranoia and paresthesia.
If vitamin B-12 deficiency is left untreated, nerve damage can become permanent[6].
Foods that contain a large amount of this important vitamin: beef, pork, chicken liver, fish (carp, sardine, mackerel, cod, perch), rabbit meat, lamb, beef.
But it is important not to forget that paresthesia in most cases is a symptom of another disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to be examined by a doctor and receive nutritional recommendations in accordance with the established primary diagnosis.
After all, paresthesia occurs both as a consequence of diabetes and as a result of a stroke. But nutrition for these diseases will have its own characteristics.
Traditional medicine for paresthesia
Baths are an effective means of traditional medicine for paresthesia.
- The first option is extremely simple. It helps to cope with hand numbness. You just need to fill a bowl with water, the temperature of which is close to hot, and press on the bottom with your fingers. The numbness should be released in a few minutes.
- Contrast baths also help. Prepare two containers. Pour hot herbal infusion into one (its temperature should be about 40 degrees), and into the other – cool water. First keep the limbs in hot liquid for a few minutes, and then move them to cold liquid for a shorter period of time.
- The third way to take a bath involves the creation of a healing collection. You need to take primrose flowers and horse chestnut bark in equal proportions. Then add two more parts of the millennial herb and the medicinal sweet clover. Pour 3 tablespoons of such a mixture with a liter of water, boil for several minutes, strain into a basin, dilute the broth with warm water and lower the affected limbs into this liquid. Massage them lightly while taking the bath. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
You can also cook decoction for ingestion… You need to mix in 2 tsp. nettle leaves, viburnum bark, parsley fruits. Add to them 3 tsp. herbs goldenrod, medicinal sweet clover and tricolor violets. Mix well, and then 2 tbsp. pour 0,5 l of the resulting mixture. water, boil for a few minutes, then let it brew for a short time and strain. The broth should be poured into a thermos and taken half a glass after meals twice a day.[7].
Dangerous and harmful products with paresthesia
If you suffer from paresthesia, then you definitely need to stop drinking alcohol in any form and quantity. They are one of the worst enemies of human vessels. It is also worth quitting smoking.
It is also important to control your blood sugar levels. If the glucose level rises, the doctor prescribes special medications and an appropriate diet.
Foods that increase blood sugar levels include carbohydrates. Namely: bakery products, cereals. Also some vegetables such as potatoes, beets, peas, carrots. Almost all berries and fruits.
Foods that provoke a rapid and sharp increase in blood glucose: honey, sugar, candy, grapes, bananas, nuts, cheese, meat, fish.
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Attention!
The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!