How to prevent or relieve paresthesia
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Behind this term, which may seem frightening, due to its close sound to “paralysis”, lies the medical name for tingling and numbness in the extremities.
Tingling, also known as paraesthesias, can have a wide variety of origins and be caused by various factors such as poor blood circulation, nerve compression, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy or vitamin deficiencies.
Paresthesia: What are we talking about?
As with many diseases and syndromes, the etymology of the word allows us to better understand what it is. According to its Greek roots, paresthesia is broken down into: “para” for “abnormal” and “aesthesia” for “sensation”. Paresthesia is therefore defined as an abnormal physical sensation, caused by the brain not sending the right information. It is characterized more specifically by tingling and numbness, which most often manifests itself in the extremities. It therefore mainly affects the fingers and toes, but can also be felt in the legs, arms, etc., or even on the face, so paresthesia can affect any part of the body. The main cause of this tingling is damage to the peripheral nerves linked to compression. In some cases, an anxious state or emotional shock can also cause these tingling phenomena.
Two types of paresthesias can be distinguished. There is the one that occurs after prolonged immobilization or when it is particularly cold. It is then the compression of a nerve or poor blood circulation that causes the tingling. The paresthesia is then harmless and disappears when the area concerned starts moving again. There is also chronic paresthesia, for which the average person will not find a direct cause. It is a form that persists over time and can appear for no visible reason, often a symptom of a more serious pathology.
They are usually part of a group of symptoms that will all need to be investigated in order to determine the exact cause of these unpleasant sensations. It is important to consult a healthcare professional to obtain an accurate diagnosis and implement appropriate treatment, if necessary. To find out more about paresthesia, in particular to know when to consult and what you can do to prevent these unpleasant sensations, do not hesitate to contact your family doctor.
What are the possible causes of paraesthesia and treatments?
There is no single cause that can make occur tingling and numbness. Paresthesia can in fact hide a multitude of different problems. Here we present the most common causes.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome manifests itself by several symptoms, including the famous tingling, which is felt in the hand, and sometimes even in the forearm. They are accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the hand, loss of strength, sensitivity disorders, etc. This is all due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist. To treat it, we can first eliminate the factors that are involved, such as repetitive tasks or positions held for a prolonged period of time. The doctor can also prescribe wearing a splint, infiltrations or even recommend surgical intervention to decompress the nerve, followed by rehabilitation (for example using a hand rehabilitation ball or gloves).
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Deficiency of lysozyme: An academic research has recently demonstrated a link between the amount of lysozyme in the body and healthy nerve function. So the root of this problem may also come from a deficiency of lysozyme, an enzyme which dissolves certain bad bacteria by hydrolysis, which will succeed in promoting good efficiency of the nerves. Although lysozyme is produced in the intestine, it is also found in certain foods such as eggs and honey.
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Raynaud's syndrome: The appearance of Raynaud's syndrome is linked to poor blood circulation, most often in the fingers. Apart from tingling, it causes numbness in the fingers, which turn white-yellow, and which can eventually cause severe pain. Exposure to cold is often the cause, and warming up and moving your extremities allows you to return to normal. To treat Raynaud's syndrome, we will also work on risk factors, such as stress, tobacco and caffeine consumption. You can also activate blood circulation using massage balls. In rarer cases, it is a manifestation of an underlying disease, which will merit appropriate treatment.
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Spasmophilia: Tingling and numbness sensations can also be caused by hyperventilation syndrome, or spasmophilia. During an attack of spasmophilia, generally triggered by stress, the person experiences involuntary muscle contractions, tremors and sees their breathing accelerate. All this can cause tingling. To treat this pathology, we can rely on certain medications and food supplements, but also on psychotherapy.
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Diabetes and hypoglycaemia: People with diabetes are also prone to tingling, particularly in the lower limbs (legs, feet). They can occur in the event of hypoglycaemia (too low blood sugar) or hyperglycaemia transforming into diabetic neuropathy. Implementing appropriate treatment for diabetes and learning to control your blood sugar levels helps avoid these types of symptoms.
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Multiple sclerosis: Paresthesia can occur due to failures in the central or peripheral nervous system. It is therefore not surprising that patients with multiple sclerosis feel tingling in the body, since it is precisely a disease affecting the central nervous system. To date, there is no treatment to cure this disease, but medications and therapeutic methods can reduce attacks, related symptoms and the risk of injury.
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A nutritional deficiency: Paresthesias can also be the consequence of a deficiency: deficiency of magnesium, vitamin B12, potassium, etc. In this case, blood tests will be used to rule it out or confirm it. The doctor can then prescribe food supplements to supplement the patient's diet, and possibly carry out additional examinations to highlight a possible underlying cause of the deficiency in question (polyneuritis, eating disorders, etc.).
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The warning sign of a stroke: Tingling and numbness of the limbs are also known to be among the warning signs of a Stroke. If you do not suffer from any of the syndromes and diseases mentioned above, you must therefore pay particular attention to your tingling, particularly if it is concomitant with a feeling of weakness in an area of your body, problems with vision, balance problems, severe headaches, etc.
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Holding bad postures: In the most banal and benign cases, the occurrence of tingling in the legs, fingers, face, etc., is due to a prolonged immobile position causing compression of a nerve. This is typically what can happen when you sit cross-legged for a long time or when you sleep with your arm placed under your head. To avoid this type of paresthesia, you can choose a pillow to prevent numb arms, make sure you do not sit for a long time, place your body in a good posture, use an ergonomic seat cushion to relieve pressure in the thighs and buttocks, etc. To make the symptoms disappear, simply get moving again to allow the nerve to find its space and reactivate blood circulation. You can also learn facial yoga, to eliminate tingling when it affects this area of the body, while enjoying its other benefits for health and well-being. Note that sometimes, it is not the compression of a certain nerve that will create tingling or pain in the limb concerned. There may be compression of the spinal cord, causing tingling, muscle weakness, paralysis, etc. in a peripheral region or at the extremities.
Summary of tips to relieve Paraesthesias:
Here are some general tips that might help:
- Exercises: The best way to reduce or prevent paraesthesias is to have a week training exercises schedule. By doing any physical exercises weekly (about three to four time a week for about 2 hours a day), it will improve your blood circulation and prevent tingling. You can practice Yoga too or Thai Chi.
- Elevate your feet: Try elevating your feet with a cushion or pillow, or place a cushion between your legs when sitting or lying down. This can help improve blood circulation and reduce paresthesias, such as tingling.
- Move regularly and daily: Do moderate exercise, such as walking about haft to one hour a day, to improve blood circulation in your legs and feet.
- Massage the part of the body where you felt Paraesthesias: A gentle massage can help relieve tingling and improve blood circulation in the zone.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Avoid shoes that are too tight or uncomfortable, that could compress the nerves in your feet.
- Eat a balanced diet: Add eggs and honey to your diet and make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins, to maintain the health of your nerves(in about seven days, this problem will disappear).
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