Has it ever happened to you, having the feeling that your leg was “falling asleep”? Or have you noticed a tingling sensation in your hands, without really knowing why? Then you have probably experienced paresthesia.
A paresthesia is a sensitivity disorder that produces sensations of numbness, tingling, internal burning, etc., generally in one of the extremities.
But, what else do we know about paresthesias? Are there different types? What are its causes, symptoms, complications and possible treatments?
What are paresthesias?
Paraesthesia, also known as numbness or tickling, is a sensitivity disorder that usually occurs in the extremities. They involve a series of abnormal sensations without a prior stimulus, such as tingling or numbness. As we said, paresthesias can appear anywhere in the body, although they usually occur in the arms, hands, fingers, legs and feet.
In most cases, paresthesia lasts a matter of seconds or minutes, that is, it is a transitory or temporary alteration. However, there are diseases where paresthesias last longer (and where they are a cause for concern), such as multiple sclerosis.
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In the second case, that is, when the paresthesias are longer (and more frequent), it is important to be attentive to them because they could be indicating the presence of a disease that requires medical treatment.
Temporary paresthesia: why does it occur?
In general, as we said, paresthesias are temporary. In these cases, they arise as a result of having been accumulating pressure on a nerve or group of nerves. For example, when we maintain a certain posture for a long time, such as keeping our legs crossed or leaning on one elbow.
They also arise in these cases when we fall asleep on one of the limbs. In short: temporary paresthesias arise from poor posture or from activities that put prolonged pressure on one or more nerves. In principle, these are non-worrying episodes, because they are specific and because they are due to the causes we discussed.
Chronic or pathological paresthesia: possible causes
Another of the more serious types of paresthesia is chronic or pathological paresthesia. Among its possible causes we find:
- Alterations in the nervous system.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Type 1 and 2 diabetes.
- Failures in the peripheral nerves (for example: carpal tunnel).
- Alcoholism.
- Smoking.
- Consumption of other drugs.
- Accidents, blows or falls.
Different causes of paresthesias
As we have seen, paresthesias can be temporary or pathological (indicators of greater damage, or an underlying organic disease). If we group the general causes of paresthesias into subtypes, we can talk about:
Orthopedic causes
In orthopedic causes we find:
- Back or neck injury.
- Bone fractures.
- Herniated disc.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- (reduced bone density and quality).
Neurological causes
- Neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
- Peripheral neuropathy (a consequence of damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; peripheral nerves).
- Diabetic neuropathy (diabetes mellitus).
- Fibromyalgia.
- Alcoholism.
- Encephalitis (diseases caused by inflammation of the brain)
- Transient ischemic attack (ischemic stroke).
- arteriovenous malformation.
- Brain tumor.
- Transverse myelitis (a neurological disorder caused by inflammation of the gray and white matter of a segment of the spinal cord).
- Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Multiple sclerosis and paresthesias
We believe it is important to pay special attention to the paresthesias typical of multiple sclerosis (MS), as it is such a common disease. Furthermore, it is the most common symptom in this pathology, often the symptom that allows the diagnosis of the disease to be made, for which the person requests help.
But what exactly is multiple sclerosis? It is an autoimmune, chronic and inflammatory disease, which involves neurodegeneration of the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by disseminated foci of demyelination in these two areas (brain and spinal cord).
Prevalence of multiple sclerosis: more women than men
It is estimated that around 2.5 million people suffer from MS worldwide, with women being the most affected (2 out of 3 patients are women).
On the other hand, the prevalence of multiple sclerosis presents a familial aggregation; This means that, compared to the 0.1% to 0.3% prevalence of MS in the general population, siblings of people affected by the disease have a 10 to 20 times greater risk of developing it (2% to 4%). .
In the case of parents and children affected by the disease, they have a 2% risk of having it, and second and third degree relatives have a 1% risk.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of MS
The most frequent symptoms of MS are paresthesias, as we said, in addition to others such as: oculomotor alterations, urinary dysfunction, feelings of weakness, spasticity and mild cognitive symptoms.
The most common thing is that neurological deficits are multiple, with periods of remission and exacerbation of symptoms. There are people who progressively acquire a disability, and others who only experience a single outbreak in their life without major complications (in atypical MS).
As for the diagnosis, this requires clinical or MRI evidence of two or more characteristic neurological lesions (of the central nervous system), which are separated from each other in time and space.
Finally, in relation to its treatment, it is increasingly advanced, and corticosteroids (for acute exacerbations) and immunomodulatory agents (to prevent exacerbations) are usually used, as well as the adoption of symptomatic measures (treatment of symptoms). .
Symptoms of paresthesias
Returning to paresthesias, beyond MS, we know that they can manifest themselves in different ways.
Some of its most common symptoms are: numbness, weakness, shivering, tingling, stinging or stinging.
Other less frequent symptoms are: stabbing pains and a burning sensation inside.
Complications of paresthesias
Paresthesias can sometimes lead to other complications, especially if the underlying paresthesia (or the cause that causes it) is not treated. Among these complications we find:
- Disability situation.
- Paralysis of any member of the body.
- Chronic pain.
- Generalized discomfort or fatigue.
- Chronic loss of sensation.
- Worsening quality of life.
- In severe cases, inability to breathe independently.
Therefore, paresthesias must be treated appropriately. As?
Treatment of paresthesias
The treatment of paresthesia directly involves treating the specific cause that causes this symptom. Generally, in cases of temporary paresthesia, a lifestyle adjustment is required in addition to physical therapy (physiotherapy).
If the symptom is due to a pre-existing disease, the treatment of paresthesia involves treating the disease itself. On the other hand, if the damage to the nerves is irreversible, each specific case must be evaluated to evaluate if there really is specific treatment to improve the symptoms of paresthesia.
The importance of consulting with a professional
And you, have you ever experienced paresthesia? Has it been temporary or indicative of some other pre-existing disorder or illness? In general, paresthesias do not have to be a cause for concern, because they are common and we all experience them at some point (especially due to poor posture).
However, if you experience several paresthesias, very close together over time, or if they last excessively, we recommend that you go to the doctor to evaluate your specific case and start appropriate treatment if necessary.
References:
- García, D. and Solar, LA (2006). Multiple sclerosis. Bibliographic review. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr, 22(2). Recovered from:
- JM Gómez-Argüelles and B. Anciones. (2009). Prevalence of neurological symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Neurology Service, Sanatorio Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Madrid, Spain. Rev. Soc. Esp. Pain, 16(4). Recovered from:
- N. Martín-Peña, ME Morell Sixto and E. Rodríguez de Mingo. (2010). Doctor, I have tingling. 36(1): 51-55. Taken from: . DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2009.09.002