NUMBNESS & TINGLING (HANDS OR FEET)
Do you experience numbness or tingling in your hands and feet?
Does it feel like pins and needles, only worse?
Is this a recurring problem?
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet can happen to anyone at anytime and is often no reason for alarm. Typical cases regularly have a short duration and no negative effect on the body. They are typically caused by nerve pressure for a continuous amount of time, such as an extended period of crossed legs. Commonly known as “pins and needles”, this type of tingling and numbness lasts momentarily and is not painful. On the other hand, episodic and chronic numbness and tingling can indicate a more serious issue such as:
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Strokes
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Seizures
- Migraines
- Underactive thyroid
Numbness and Tingling (Hands or Feet) Causes
The most common medical condition associated with these symptoms is diabetes. Up to one third of neuropathy victims have diabetes. It is common for symptoms such as numbness and tingling to provide an early warning for diabetes. Other reasons for these symptoms include alcoholism, vitamin deficiency, nerve entrapment syndrome and systematic disease.
Alcoholics are likely to develop neuropathy because their diet lacks essential vitamins and thiamine. It is common for alcoholics to experience never damage as well. The body relies on vitamins such as A, B-complex, D and E to function optimally. Numbness and tingling can indicate a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. Blood tests are performed to find out if vitamin deficiency is an issue.
A pinched or trapped nerve can cause nerve entrapment syndrome. It is often caused by repetitive activities over time, such as typing. Carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve palsy, peroneal nerve palsy and radial nerve palsy are often associated with nerve entrapment syndrome. Severe trapped nerve cases can lead to paralysis.
Numbness and tingling in the hands or feet can also indicate an issue with systematic diseases in the connective tissues, kidney, liver or cardiovascular system. Systematic disease can occur when oxygen is unable to reach the heart, or if there is not enough oxygen to begin with. Systematic diseases can lead to life threatening conditions.
Another reason for these symptoms can be emotional distress. Stress and anxiety are primary reasons for hyperventilating and heavy breathing. Any type of heavy or repetitive short breathing can cause hands and feet to become numb or tingle. It can also lead to fainting. Rare causes of tingling or numbness are associated with Guillain-Barres syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome and other autoimmune diseases.
Numbness and Tingling (Hands or Feet) Treatment
Doctor’s are known to prescribe anti-inflammatory or pain relief medication for symptoms such as these. However, a proper evaluation should conducted prior to prescribing medication to find out if there are underlying medical concerns. The best way to treat these conditions is to find out the cause and fix the issue. Common strategies for treating neuropathy include:
- Muscle, bone or spinal correction
- Boosting nutrition
- Handling autoimmune diseases
Chiropractic treatments provide beneficial strategies that can help each case of neuropathy in a personalized way. Contact Pinnacle Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab Center in Highlands Ranch, CO today for more information or to book an appointment.
