PARESTHESIA (TINGLING) SYMPTOMS AND HOW TO TREAT IT
Many people experience paraesthesia, or tingling, and it usually occurs when we squat for too long.
Many people experience paraesthesia, or tingling, and it usually occurs when we squat for too long.
This condition often occurs in the feet or hands and sometimes causes pain. Paresthesia, or tingling, is caused by several factors, ranging from mild to severe.
So, what exactly causes this paraesthesia, what are the symptoms, and most importantly, how can it be treated?
What is paraesthesia?
This health condition occurs in the hands and feet, like being pricked by needles. If your feet suddenly feel a burning sensation after squatting for too long, that's called tingling or paraesthesia.
I personally experience this often, and it usually goes away on its own once you start moving the affected limb.
However, some paraesthesias are temporary, like what I experienced, but others are chronic.
Chronic paresthesias, especially if they occur in normal conditions (not squatting), require caution.
This is because it's likely related to a specific medical condition that we may not be aware of.
Causes of Paresthesias
This disorder occurs due to pressure on the body's nerve tissue, especially in the joints of the hands and feet.
This pressure causes blood circulation to be disrupted in the blood vessels, triggering a tingling sensation.
Unlike chronic paresthesias, nerve disorders can cause tingling sensations in addition to the sensation.
According to the American Academy of Neurology, medically, there are various nerve disorders that humans commonly experience, including:
1. Neuropathy
This type of nerve disorder is an indication of nerve damage and is often experienced by people with diabetes.
The entire body will experience a tingling sensation when blood sugar levels rise significantly, along with itching and burning sensations
Michelle L. Mauermann and fellow researchers expressed a similar sentiment in a journal published on https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41247746/.
She stated that there are over 200 causes of peripheral neuropathy, with symptoms ranging from mild numbness in the feet to severe, inability to walk.
Diabetes is the most common cause of this neuropathy, affecting 206 million people worldwide.
2. Radiculopathy
This second type is a condition where the nerve tissue experiences pressure, inflammation, and irritation.
This condition is commonly experienced by patients with spinal cord compression, also known as a pinched nerve.
A personal experience from my mother, who several years ago suffered a broken femur and rib in an accident.
As she got older, she often experienced tingling and pain in the area where the fracture occurred
The orthopedic doctor and neurologist diagnosed my mother with a pinched nerve. The nerve in her thigh and ribs penetrated the area where the bone had been broken.
As a result, within a few months, my mother was no longer able to walk and could only lie down. However, even that was uncomfortable because the slightest movement was always painful, which kept her awake at night.
Aside from my experience, besides the two causes I've outlined, there are also other factors that cause paresthesias.
Dr. Peter J. Dyck, MD, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.elsevierpure.com), identified other factors that contribute to chronic paresthesias. He stated that the sources include:
- Alcohol
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Exposure to heavy metals
- Nutritional deficiencies (vitamins B1, B6, B12)
Diagnosing Paresthesias
When you frequently experience tingling sensations with intensity that occur close together, I recommend seeing a doctor immediately.
Doctors will usually perform several initial detection or diagnosis steps, including:
1. History taking.
This initial stage consists of a brief dialogue with a number of questions that must be answered:
a. How long have you experienced this health problem?
b. Have you experienced it before?
c. Do you have a history of other illnesses?
d. What is your daily profession?
e. What have you done to try to overcome this problem?
2. Physical examination.
In this second stage, the doctor will perform a complete neurological physical examination to determine the cause of the paresthesia.
According to the clinical practice standards of the American Academy of Neurology, the areas of the body to be scanned include the head, spine, soles of the feet, palms of the hands, and face
If you are experiencing weakness, the doctor will examine the muscles in your arms, legs, and facial muscles.
Treatment Steps
As I explained previously, there are two types of paraesthesia: temporary and chronic. Therefore, treatment steps depend on the condition.
1. Temporary Paraesthesia
For mild cases of tingling, based on my personal experience, treatment is quite simple. Shake the affected area and make sure to move to improve blood flow.
To prevent recurrence, avoid body positions that can put pressure on nerve tissue, such as squatting or sitting cross-legged.
Also, adopt a healthy lifestyle by consuming foods rich in vitamin B, such as spinach, cheese, milk, and meat.
2. Chronic Paraesthesia
For this second case, the best treatment solution is to consult and undergo a medical examination. Do not attempt to take certain prescription medications yourself, as this could be life-threatening.
For example, if you are experiencing severe pain, you might take Fargetix, as this medication is specifically designed to relieve pain.
Hopefully, this is helpful.
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