Time passes and sometimes we are so busy that we don’t even realize it. We sit cross-legged, and suddenly it’s as if an army of ants invaded one leg. What has happened? We decided to investigate more about this tingling sensation, and it turns out that it even has a special name. Keep the “ants” away from your body!
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the feeling of numbness in the body is called paresthesia. This is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs or feet, as well as in other parts of the body, and it is as if a lot of ants were passing through that area, which can be very uncomfortable.
A study shows that this numbness, which usually occurs without warning, since the person is usually not aware of this sensation, does not always cause pain, but rather a discomfort. This discomfort can occur in millions of people around the world, especially those whose profession can limit their movements, such as working sitting down.
When does the loss of sensation occur?
At some point, many of us have experienced transient paresthesias, which we colloquially describe as a part of our body “falling asleep.” This happens when we have been in the same position for a long time when we have been with our legs crossed or we have fallen asleep with one arm folded under the head.
During paresthesia, the affected part becomes numb and rigid, but flexible, which increases sensitivity in the area when resting on a hard or soft surface, and extends to other parts of the affected limb.
The sensation of a numb limb usually fades quickly once the pressure on the involved nerve is relieved, allowing blood to circulate there again. This can be accomplished by moving the numb part through exercise, massage, or stretching. Little by little, the tingling will reduce until it disappears.
Due to the sensations that are produced by paresthesia, some consequences may occur, such as:
- Blood circulation problems.
- Adoption of abnormal postures while we sleep, gives rise to various disorders due to tiredness or lack of sleep.
- Difficulty walking or driving.
- Increased risk of falls.
There are different types of paresthesia
Some types of paresthesia are:
- Berger’s paresthesia – Paresthesia of the skin, characterized by tingling, burning, or weakness, and loss of sensation in the legs, without signs of organic disease, affecting some young people.
- Meralgia paresthetica – is a condition characterized by numbness, tingling, and burning on the outer thigh.
If this abnormal sensation occurs recurrently, we are talking about chronic paresthesia, which is usually a symptom of neurological disease or traumatic nerve damage. It can be caused by disorders that affect the central nervous system, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or encephalitis. A tumour or a vascular lesion can also cause it. Some syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can damage peripheral nerves and cause paresthesia accompanied by pain.
The opinion of a doctor is important
The diagnosis, always made by a specialist, usually consists of studying the patient’s medical history, a physical examination and laboratory tests. In some cases, depending on the patient, the doctor may request additional tests. If the cause of the burning or itching is some pathology, it is important to keep it under control.
- Therefore, you should consult a doctor if:
- There is sudden paresthesia or weakness.
- The numbness progressively spreads to other parts of the body.
- You have trouble breathing.
- There is incontinence in the bladder and/or bowel.
- Numbness is felt on both sides of the body.
- The sensation is lost in the face or torso.
- The entire member falls asleep completely.
- Altered level of consciousness.
- Vision changes.
- Problems speaking.
- Paresthesia occurs after a blow to the head, neck, or back.
Do you suffer from paresthesia frequently? What do you do when a part of your body goes numb?
