What Causes That Worrying Tingling in Your Hands and Feet?

 I have occasionally experienced a tingling sensation or numbness, similar to pins and needles, in my extremities, but I never knew what was causing it. Whenever I brought it up with someone, they would look grim and worried, and whenever I ran a Google search for an answer, I was quite scared to see what I would find. Then, time went by and I forgot all about it, so I must have been fine. Still, I will never forget that fearful feeling that there was something wrong with my health. Sometime later, I found the following guide to such tingling feelings to be a great educational tool. Read on to find out about this incredibly common experience.  

NOTE: This guide is merely meant to inform. It is not a substitute for a proper diagnosis from a medical professional. If you experience the symptoms listed in this article, the best advice is that you discuss it with your GP. 

What is Paresthesia?

Tingling and numbness are known as ‘paresthesia’. It is usually felt on parts of our limbs, hands or feet. Often, as pins and needles, it is simply a benign consequence of undue pressure being placed on the body parts in question, such as leaning on one arm or crossing your legs for a long time. It is resolved as quickly as it appears when you remove the offending pressure, causing only mild discomfort, but no pain.

Peripheral Neuropathy - three categories of causation 

The very same sensation can occur without any obvious pressure being applied. This paresthesia may be severe, episodic or even chronic (never ending). If this happens and is coupled with other symptoms, like pain, itchiness, numbness and muscle wasting, the tingling might be an indication of nerve damage. Such damage is called peripheral neuropathy, affecting nerves that are far away from the brain and spinal cord, usually in the hands and feet.

1. Diabetes  

There are a great number of people, with reference to the elderly in particular, who suffer from peripheral neuropathy. In America, for example, it is estimated that more than 20 million people have the condition, though there are in excess of 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy. In time, the condition worsens when left untreated, resulting in reduced mobility and possibly even disability. The major cause of peripheral neuropathy, in around 30% of cases, is diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy is therefore considered to be the first sign of diabetes. 

 

WARNING: Since peripheral neuropathy, the underlying cause of paresthesia, in 30% of cases is a sign of diabetes, it is very important that if you feel prolonged paresthesia you consult your doctor immediately for treatment to help reduce your blood sugar levels.

2. Idiopathic Cause

 In another 30% of cases of peripheral neuropathy, where the cause is not diabetes, no cause can be found, and they are thus labeled ‘idiopathic’. This may be the case more commonly in over 60s, and it progresses slowly. Over-the-counter pain medication can be used for mild pain, or for severe pain, prescription medication can be taken regularly. Therapeutic shoes can also be acquired which reduce symptoms. 

 

3. The Remaining 40% of Cases 

Besides diabetic and idiopathic causes of peripheral neuropathy, the remaining 40% of cases contain a wide variety of unrelated causes. There are so many causes on this list that it frightens many people when they first learn about the disease. However, the disease is very well-researched, and your doctor will know how to diagnose the root of your illness efficiently. 

 

Other Common Causes of Paresthesia ​ 

 

Neuralgia: this is a potent stabbing or burning pain that occurs right along the nerve that has become damaged. It has many possible causes, such as shingles, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis. 

 

Radiculopathy: this is a disease of the spinal nerve roots. It can produce pain, numbness, and weakness at the spine area. 

 

Carpal Tunnel: a syndrome of the hand’s median nerve, which has become compressed. It is located on your palm. 

 

Mini Stroke (transient ischemic attack): unlike a stroke, which kills brain cells, this ITA, mini-stroke, does not. It does, however, cause similar symptoms to a stroke, and is the result of blood flow to the brain stopping for a period of time. This is considered a medical emergency that may well require urgent attention. 

 

Spinal Cord Injury: is a very serious type of injury, which may drastically alter your life condition. It too will require urgent medical attention. 

 

Other common causes include, but are not limited, to: 

 

Cervical Spondylosis 

Stroke Overview (urgent) 

Ulnar Nerve Palsy 

Panic Disorder 

Intracerebral Hemorrhage (urgent) 

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (urgent) 

Stenosis 

Spinal Bone Fracture 

 Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism 

Frostbite (urgent) 

Vitamin Deficiency 

 

If you are very worried and would like a good idea of what may be causing your paresthesia, try this web tool, which may help you do just that. Keep in mind that this is no substitute for a professional diagnosis.  

 

Diagnoses 

In order to be absolutely thorough, your doctor will require a complete medical history from you, and a description of any apparently unrelated symptoms you may be experiencing. Since medication is often considered a cause of tingling, the doctor will ask you about any such medications, or vaccinations, in addition to learning about any infections or injuries you have sustained. 

As well as a physical exam, you may also expect further tests, such as blood tests, electrolyte level testing, thyroid function testing, toxicology screening or nerve conduction studies. Perhaps a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) will also be conducted. To conclude their diagnosis, your doctor may also resort to x-rays, angiograms, CT/MRI scans or ultrasound. 

 

When to Consult a Doctor  

 

For the following symptoms please contact your medical provider for advice: 

 

- Numbness or tingling with no obvious cause 

- A pain in the neck, forearm or fingers

- Unusually frequent urination 

- Numbness in legs which worsens when you walk 

- If you have a rash 

- If you experience dizziness, a muscle spasm, or something else unusual.

For the following symptoms please contact your hospital for urgent medical attention: 

 

 - You feel weak or unable to move, besides tingling and numbness 

- Your tingling or numbness is felt after a recent head, neck or back injury 

- You cannot control your arm or leg movement or have lost bladder or bowel control 

- You feel confused and have lost consciousness for a time 

- Your speech is slurring or your vision is affected 

 

Treatment

Treatments will be related to the diagnosis made of the cause of your paresthesia. If the peripheral nerve cells have not died they will regenerate and you will return to normal. For diabetes, good blood sugar control can slow down and reduce the progression of diabetic neuropathy. Those who, for example, have a vitamin deficiency can have their diet supplemented with more balance, which will also correct their peripheral neuropathy. 

 

Lifestyle 

To avoid paresthesia, you may take steps such as: 

- Maintaining an optimal weight 

- Avoid toxins, and follow your doctor's exercise program 

- Enjoy a balanced diet 

- Limit your alcohol consumption 

- Stop smoking, which can restrict blood supply

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Are New Variants Contributing To A Rise In Autoimmune Conditions Among Covid Patients?

As the world reels against the malicious Covid-19, there is still so much that is not known about the disease. Preliminary studies have shown that severe Covid-19 can trick the immune system into producing so-called auto antibodies that attack the healthy tissues in the body and lead to several complications. A Rheumatologist says, "one of the significant features of coronavirus is that it is able to activate the immune system in a number of different ways. In some cases, it can trigger autoimmune conditions autoimmune cytopenias, Guillain Barre Syndrome, etc."

What Leads To Autoimmune Disorders?

A Senior Dr., explains "COVID-19 triggers an autoimmune response and as a result, oxidative phosphorylation in the cells is increased and there is a higher release of free radicals."

Free radicals are reactive oxygen species that are associated with this low-grade chronic inflammation and there is decreased efficiency of small ordinary infect mitochondria in the cells. "All of this causes a late immune metabolic inflammatory change, and which results in unresolved immune cell defect. So, since it involves the entire body, there are various organs that are involved. It is not only the lungs where there is long-standing damage to the tiny air spaces in the alveoli, resulting in scar tissue but also in the heart, which leads to lasting damage to the heart muscles, and this may increase the risk of heart failure later. Since it is a systematic response across the body, it also impacts the brain and because of this chronic inflammation, chances of autoimmune diseases," he added.

Are New Variants Leading To An Increased Risk Of Autoimmune Diseases Among People Infected With The Virus?

According to a Dr., "We already know that viruses can abnormally stimulate the immune system of the persons, which can lead to the wrong identification of various organs of one's own body as a foreign particle and they start damaging the individual's organs, leading to complications and high mortality risk. Now, we have a more infectious and deadly virus, Covid-19 and its variants like Delta can trigger an autoimmune response very early in the course of the disease."

He further explained that after 5-7 days of getting infected with the coronavirus, the virus triggers a high autoimmune response in the body called a cytokine storm, which is an inflammatory response of the body against the infection. So, there is a change in the identification of the antigen and there is a mimicry of antigens, which means that some individuals become susceptible to autoimmune disorders. This means that antibodies that are formed target one's own body and depending on the type of antibody, it can damage various organs and different parts of the body.

"COVID-19 Delta variant has led to an increase in the autoimmune changes in the body. From the neurological perspective, one of the very first symptoms that have been described as a part of Covid-19 is loss of taste and smell. So, this happens most likely due to an immune-mediated inflammation of the nerve, which carries the temptation of smell to the brain. So, this is the first sign which means that this is an autoimmune-related disease which leads to loss of taste and smell," Dr. elaborated.

Autoimmune Conditions More Common In Covid Delta Patients

Further explaining the effect of Delta and Delta plus variant on Covid-induced autoimmune diseases, Dr.  said that there was much more extensive involvement of the nerves in patients infected with the Delta variant. "Even Alpha variant, which was identified last year, led to immune-mediated complications but Delta variant was very rampant and led to more autoimmune-related secondary diseases like Guillain Barre Syndrome (a disease that damages the nerve sheet that covers all the nerves of the body)."

"So, many patients who were infected with the Delta variant developed Guillain barre syndrome and had a difficult time initially but many of them who did not have pulmonary or lung or cardiac complications responded well to the standard treatment of this syndrome." A Dr. told us that some patients experienced the direct invasion of the virus into the brain, which led to encephalitis, which poses a high risk to life. But some patients developed delayed encephalitis, which could be autoimmune triggered encephalitis or encephalopathy, but they also have high mortality risk."

Severe Covid-19 can also trigger thrombogenicity, which is an autoimmune response when the blood becomes very thick and there is an increased tendency to form clots, leading to vasculitis symptoms like affecting the lungs, ARDS, renal complications, etc.

Even Vaccines Can Trigger An Autoimmune Response In People

While there is still no cure for COVID-19, vaccines were made available to control the surge of the virus. However, people did experience some side effects of the vaccines post-administration, but that should not be a cause of fear regarding the vaccines. "Vaccines tend to trigger an autoimmune response and that is how they work. But in some cases, it can lead to some immune-mediated complications and some patients might develop facial paralysis, Guillain barre syndrome, and encephalitis but the cases are rare. This happens in the case of an abnormal immune response from the patients who have received a vaccine."

"Covid-19 related autoimmune diseases are much more extensive, much more lethal and if they are identified early then the treatment in the form of aggressive immunomodulatory therapy, including intravenous globulin, plasma exchange and steroid can help the patients. Some of the patients did respond to these treatments, other patients had a very aggressive response to the Delta variant, which led to high mortality risk in these patients," he added.

So, not only does it lead to direct invasion of the virus but it also leads to damage to local narcosis. The immune triggered complications are responsible for high mortality rates among people infected with the Covid-19 Delta variant.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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