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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13 Essential Medical Terms You Will See Everywhere

Have you ever listened to a doctor, read a medical article, or even a prescription and thought to yourself, “What do all of those Latin phrases and abbreviations mean?” I know I have for years, and this curiosity really encouraged me to research some of those confusing terms and shortenings once and for all and finally gain a deeper understanding of my own health. We guarantee that you, too, will learn some useful medical lingo from this article, and maybe even bookmark it for future reference.

1. In vitro/ in vivo  

These terms are most commonly used to denote two different kinds of studies, but they can also be used to describe a procedure, e.g. in-vitro fertilization. The phrase in vitro can be translated as “in glass” from Latin, and it refers to a procedure or study in a petri dish, which is an experiment performed outside of a living organism. 

 

In vitro studies often aim to examine the effect and safety of potential medications on human or animal cells in a controlled environment, i.e. the petri dish, usually before being replicated on live subjects. In vivo means “within the living” in Latin, and it refers to a study or procedure conducted on a live subject, be it a plant, lab animal, or human. In vivo studies are considered more credible and are necessary to access the full effect of a potential treatment, for example, on a live organism. 

 

2. Noninvasive/ invasive 

 

When something, like a treatment, for example, involves entering the human body with instruments, this treatment is said to be invasive. A classic example of invasive treatment is surgery, but even an injection is considered invasive. 

 

Noninvasive, on the other hand, means that the treatment doesn’t require entering the body with tools, and this treatment route is considered simpler. Extra tip: another way to say that a treatment is simple and noninvasive is to state that it’s conservative. 

 

3. Acute/ chronic  

Acute illnesses are such that begin suddenly but usually last for a short time, i.e. usually up to a few weeks. For instance, one of the most serious concerns in Covid-19 patients is the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a sudden respiratory failure caused by widespread inflammation in the lungs. 

 

Chronic conditions, on the other hand, develop slowly - from months to years - and tend to get worse over time. Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition that develops over years or even decades, is a classic example of a chronic condition.

 

4. Abbreviations referring to cardiovascular health  

 

BP is short for blood pressure. BP is always shown in the form of a fraction, e.g. 120/80 mm Hg. In this fraction, the systolic BP is the top number, and the diastolic BP is the one on the bottom. 

 

HR stands for heart rate, and it is measured in beats per minute (or bpm). For example, the normal HR is between 60-100 bpm. 

 

The two common shortenings for cholesterol measurements are HDL-C and LDL-C. The former refers to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or HDL cholesterol, which is often called “good” cholesterol. LDL-C, on the other hand, is the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is also often mentioned as “bad” cholesterol. 

 

Also here are common shortenings of some heart conditions: 

 

CHD—coronary heart disease 

 

CHF—congestive heart failure  

 

CAD—coronary artery disease. 

 

 5. Benign/ malignant  

In medicine, the distinction between benign and malignant is most often used to describe a tumor. The National Cancer Institute defines a tumor as “an abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should.” Tumors are more common than we think, and only some of them are harmful. In fact, every mole on your body is considered a tumor. 

 

To be able to distinguish these dangerous tumors from harmless ones, the terms benign and malignant are used. Benign tumors are not cancerous, and they don’t develop at all or grow very slowly. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous. These tumors grow fast and can even spread to other parts of the body, which is why they are considered dangerous. 

 

There is also a third type - premalignant tumors - which are those that are not dangerous yet but have the potential to become cancerous. 

 

6. Abbreviations on prescriptions 

While reading a prescription, you may have come across a shortening that starts with  

q-. This is the abbreviation of the Latin word quaque that means “each or every.” 

Here’s what each specific abbreviation means: qd—every day 

 

qh—every hour  

 

q2h, q6h, … etc, —every 2 hours, every 6 hours, … 

 

qid—four times a day  

 

qhs—every night at bedtime.  

 

There are also a few abbreviations that don’t involve quaque, such as these: 

 

 tid—three times a day, from the Latin “ter in die” meaning literally “three times a day”. 

 

bid—twice a day, from the Latin “bis in die.”

 

od—once a day, from the Latin “omne in die.” 

 

A prescription will also usually tell you how to take the medicine. And for this, there are separate abbreviations, here are a few: 

 

po—by mouth  

 

ac—before meals 

 

pc—after meals 

 

prn—as needed, whenever necessary.

 

7. Idiopathic 

Unfortunately, medical science hasn’t yet been able to categorize every health condition out there, and sometimes, the cause of a specific set of symptoms is unknown or cannot be determined. When this is the case, the condition is said to be idiopathic, or “relating to or denoting any disease or condition which arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown” according to the Oxford dictionary. 

 

The term stems from the Greek idios "one's own" and pathos "suffering," which can be approximately translated as “a disease of its own kind.” 

 

8. Etiology 

The etiology of a certain health condition is a fancy word for its cause. One could say, for example, that the etiology of an idiopathic condition is unknown. The term is derived from the Greek word aitiología, which means "giving a reason for something."  

 

9. Abbreviations for ways to administer a drug

There are many ways a medication can end up in your body, and each of these has its own abbreviation. You may be already familiar with the IV - or the intravenous route - as it’s the common term, but here are a few other shortenings: 

 

PO—by the mouth. 

 

SL—sublingual, medication given under the tongue. 

 

IM—intramuscular, when medication is administered directly into a muscle, like a vaccine shot. 

 

INH—inhaled, like an asthma inhaler. 

 

PR—rectally. 

 

ID—intradermal, medication given under the dermis (top layer of the skin).​ 

 

10. Abatement  

You’ve likely heard of the term remission, which stands for the disappearance of the symptoms of a disease. But what is abatement? It’s similar, but not quite the same. Abatement refers to the reduction in the severity of symptoms. For example, allergy vaccines usually lead to abatement but not the full disappearance of the allergy.

11. Miscellaneous abbreviations 

Here are a few more useful abbreviations you could encounter in your medical history, and what they mean: 

 

FUO—fever of undetermined origin 

 

FH—family history  

 

Fx—fracture

 

 V/S—vital signs 

 

NKA—no known allergies 

 

WNL—within normal limits. 

 

12. Topical

Topical (or local) treatment or medication is such that is applied to a particular area of the body as opposed to the entire body. Most often, this refers to a medication in a cream or ointment form that is intended to be used on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. For example, if you have an insect bite, you can apply Panthenol creme topically (or locally). 

 

13. Syndrome  

The term syndrome is often confused with either symptom or disease, but it’s neither of those things. While diseases or disorders both have a definite and identifiable medical cause, a syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that might not always have a definite cause. For example, the common cold is a disease that is most commonly caused by rhinoviruses, so it wouldn’t be correct to call the common cold a syndrome. 

 

Carpal tunnel, on the other hand, is called a syndrome because it happens as a result of the compression of the median nerve in the wrist, but it can be caused a few different things, including fractures, fluid retention, diabetes, and even high blood pressure.

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

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4 reasons why you should not ignore arm pain

Your lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits are one of the main reasons behind various health problems that you come across in your day-to-day life. If you experience frequent pain in your shoulder, it is also because of your lifestyle. Sitting for a longer duration in a bad posture or long hours at work sitting in front of a computer screen can trigger pain in your arm. These postures can also lead to severe health-related problems if not treated on time. It can be an indication of a rare health problem called fibromyalgia, which causes pain in your joints by interfering in the nerve fibre of your arm. Here, there are some common causes of arm pain you should know about.

Joint pain: Pressure or trauma to the nerve roots of the spinal cord can cause arm pain. Also, if you do not warm up your body before working out, you can increase your possibilities of getting injured.
You should never ignore heart attack symptoms while travelling.

Poor posture: If you are involved in a desk job that forces you to sit for long hours at a stretch, you may end up sitting in a wrong posture which can boost your chances of suffering pain in your arm. Also, poor posture puts excessive pressure on your spine, making your muscles weak and causing strain to your nerves.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: Working for too long on a computer desk puts you more at risk of developing arm pain. This happens when you press keys on the keyboard, the nerves present in the wrist get compressed which causes numbness in your wrist.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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How To Treat Numbness In Hands And Feet Naturally

When you frequently experience numbness anywhere in the body, it signals that something is not right.  Nerve damage is the most common culprit for numbness and this can impact your quality of life.  There are things you can do and information about numbness and some natural treatments for it are shared over at native remedies.com.  To get the information that you need just click the link below.

What is Numbness?

Numbness is an abnormal sensation that can occur anywhere in the body, but is most commonly felt in the hands, feet, arms, or legs. Common symptoms include tingling and numbness in hands and feet, ranging from the harmless numbness you get when your fingers are too cold, to more serious conditions that require immediate medical attention, numbness is a fairly broad term.

Numbness is also often referred to in an emotional context to describe feelings of detachment or the lack of any emotional response, a symptom commonly associated with depression. In a physical context, numbness is generally as a result of damage, blood deprivation or disease of certain nerves in the body.

In addition, the body can also go through bouts of periodic numbness and tingling due to certain health issues such as anxiety or the onset of a migraine. During an anxiety attack breathing becomes shallow and sporadic and breathing in this manner can cause periods of numbness and tingling especially in the fingers and around the mouth. Also, numbness in the extremities, face or tongue is a very common sign that a migraine is well underway.

What Causes Numbness?

Numbness can have all kinds of different causes, as it is a symptom of many different ailments, diseases and conditions. A proper diagnosis is therefore crucial, so that you can treat the cause of the numbness rather than just treat the symptoms of numbness itself which include tingling and numbness in extremities.

It’s also important to take additional precautions as loss of sensation can lead to increased chances of accident and injury.

Possible Causes of Numbness

• Underactive thyroid
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stress
• Iron Deficiency
• Poor Circulation or Lack of blood supply to the extremities - usually due to plaque buildup in the blood vessels or an inflammatory condition
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Anxiety and Depression
• Complication from Diabetes, often called diabetic neuropathy
• Stroke
• Dehydration
• Migraines
• Side-effect of Cancer Radiation Treatment or Chemotherapy
• Seizures
• Nerve Disorders or Damage. Injury to a nerve such as a neck or back injury may cause numbness in various areas of the body, most commonly along the arms or legs.
• Alcoholism
• Certain Viral or Bacterial Infections
• Menopause
• Post-Partum Swelling
• Bug Bite
• Head Injury
• Candida
• Side Effect of Certain Drugs or Medication
• High Potassium Levels
• Menstrual Period
• Obesity
• Pressure on the spinal nerves, such as that due to a bad or slipped disk, often present in a type of numbness referred to as sciatica.
• Tooth Infection
• Toxicity in nerves, caused by toxins such as lead, alcohol or tobacco
• A lack of vitamin B12 or other vitamin
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Abnormal levels of calcium, potassium, or sodium in the body
• A lack of vitamin B12 or other vitamin
• After-effects of some surgical procedures

Numbness in the Hands

Numbness in the hands is a sensation of loss of feelings in the hands, often referred to as "falling asleep". Symptoms of hand numbness are tingling, pins-and-needles, prickling sensations. Sleeping on your hands or holding your hands above your head for a long period of time will cause numbness in the hands.

Commonly hand numbness is caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, the compression of the median nerve traveling to the arms, hands, or fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome was named for a ring of fibers, which surround the wrist which the nerves pass.

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are tingling, burning, weakness, or sometimes sharp pain. Stretching the hands, massaging and even ice packs can help symptoms of carpal tunnel. Consult a doctor if this pain continues for more than one week.

Numbness in the Feet

Numbness in the feet is a loss of sensation or feeling in the feet, as a result of improper communication between the nerves and the central nervous system. Commonly foot numbness is attributed to a blood shortage in the foot. This occurs when someone is sitting cross-legged for an extended amount of time.

Getting up and walking around through the day can help to halt numbness in the feet. Extreme cases of foot numbness may be caused by nerve damage or even Lyme disease and should not be taken lightly-those with severe symptoms should seek medical attention.

Numbness in the Arms

Like hand numbness the symptoms of numbness in the arms can be attributed to the arms being held above the head, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Other causes of arm numbness are diabetes, exposure to cold and even injury.

Numbness in the arms can be as simple as a pinched nerve; however, when arm numbness is accompanied by tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, and nausea, it’s time to seek treatment.

Tingling feelings in the left arm, shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest are all signs of a heart attack- that is why it is important to note all the symptoms accompanying arm numbness.

Numbness in the Legs

Leg numbness can occur when an individual has been in the same seated or standing position for a long period of time. While most of the time leg numbness is a non-threatening condition it can be quite uncomfortable.

Some sufferers have a low back injury that causes numbness or tingling down the back of your leg. Sciatica is another cause for leg numbness; sciatica usually only affects one side of the body. Sciatica pain may be dull, sharp, burning, or accompanied by shooting pain.

Sciatic pain starts in the buttock and travels down into the back or side of the thigh and/or leg. Symptoms include tingling and numbness, stretching the back and cold packs can help to ease sciatica pain.

Causes of Numbness during Pregnancy

Pregnant women are faced with many body changes and for some, numbness is one of them. Some pregnant women develop carpal tunnel syndrome (the compression of the median nerve traveling to the arms, hands, or fingers) and is believed to be attributed to water retention.

As a baby develops and a woman retains more fluid in the body, body tissues swell and the median nerve compresses and causes carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms of carpal tunnel in pregnant women are the worst in the morning, due to the water accumulated overnight. Carpal tunnel usually corrects itself after the birthing process and the body stops retaining water.

Numbness in Children

There are many reasons why children experience numbness is different parts of their body. Nutritionally, a lack of vitamins or minerals can cause numbness in the lower limbs; this is especially true for vitamin B deficiencies. Along with poor nutrition, sports related injuries can also cause numbness and tingling in the body. Parents should monitor complaints of numbness or tingling that lasts for more than a few minutes in athletic children, this could be a sign of trauma to muscles, tendons or bones.

Childhood anxiety is another culprit of numbness. Many children who feel pressure from peers, school teachers or family members can suffer from anxiety and the physical symptoms such as numbness in the lips, face and extremities are very close to those of an adult.

How to Treat Numbness

In order to treat numbness, it is important to find the underlying cause. Whether due to poor circulation, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis, nature has a number of herbal and homeopathic remedies with ingredients to tackle both the underlying cause as well as the symptom itself. It is believed for example that homeopathic remedies may play an essential role in healing nerve damage.

Biochemic tissue salts such as Ferrum phosphoricum, Kalium phosphate and Magnesium phosphate can be of great assistance in healing nerve damage which is often the cause of numbness. These have been shown to assist in the nutritional needs of your brain and nerves, while promoting systemic balance in the entire nervous system.

Other herbs used for healing nerve damage are Matricaria recutita, Rosemary and Ginkgo biloba which address some of the underlying causes of numbness and act as a tonic for an allround healthy nervous system!

PS- THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.

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