Paresthesia is not a disease, but a symptom of a condition that may be temporary or long-lasting. Paresthesia is a common symptom that refers to a prickling or burning sensation in some parts of the body, usually the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These can also occur in other body parts of the body. This unusual sensation, often happens without warning, and is typically painless. It may occur suddenly or gradually, but sometimes it may come and go. Other descriptions for paresthesia include tingling, numbness, itching, or skin crawling.
Many people experience temporary feelings of "pins and needles" some time in their lives, especially when they have fallen asleep or assumed a position where pressure is applied on their arm or leg for quite a while. Trauma, such as a bone fracture that results in nerve impingement, can also cause paresthesia. Sustained pressure on a nerve causes paresthesia, but this feeling quickly goes away when pressure is released.
Another common cause of tingling, especially in the …show more content…
It can be caused by any of the following:
Disorders in the central nervous system (affecting the brain and spinal cord), such as:
• A stroke and or mini-stroke
• Infections, such as encephalitis
• Demyelinating diseases such as Guillain–Barré syndrome and multiple sclerosis
• Transverse myelitis
• Tumors
• Vascular lesions (abnormalities in the blood vessels) pressing against the brain or spinal cord
Disorders affecting the peripheral nerves, such as:
• Nerve entrapment syndromes, like carpal tunnel syndrome, where peripheral nerves are damaged, causing paresthesia and pain.
• Complications of chronic disease, such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, which cause neuropathy due to poor circulation
• Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
• Disorders of metabolism, such as thyroid gland disease
• Infectious diseases that attack the nerves, such as herpes
Many people experience temporary feelings of "pins and needles" some time in their lives, especially when they have fallen asleep or assumed a position where pressure is applied on their arm or leg for quite a while. Trauma, such as a bone fracture that results in nerve impingement, can also cause paresthesia. Sustained pressure on a nerve causes paresthesia, but this feeling quickly goes away when pressure is released.
Another common cause of tingling, especially in the …show more content…
It can be caused by any of the following:
Disorders in the central nervous system (affecting the brain and spinal cord), such as:
• A stroke and or mini-stroke
• Infections, such as encephalitis
• Demyelinating diseases such as Guillain–Barré syndrome and multiple sclerosis
• Transverse myelitis
• Tumors
• Vascular lesions (abnormalities in the blood vessels) pressing against the brain or spinal cord
Disorders affecting the peripheral nerves, such as:
• Nerve entrapment syndromes, like carpal tunnel syndrome, where peripheral nerves are damaged, causing paresthesia and pain.
• Complications of chronic disease, such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, which cause neuropathy due to poor circulation
• Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
• Disorders of metabolism, such as thyroid gland disease
• Infectious diseases that attack the nerves, such as herpes