Tingling in the body can arise from poor circulation, by sitting, lying down or standing in the same position for a long time, but it can also occur due to nutritional deficiencies, compression or nerve damage, for example, or even by more serious conditions such as stroke or heart attack.
Depending on its cause, the tingling in the body may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, numbness or decreased muscle strength, difficulty in walking and coordinating movements, changes in vision, fainting, headache, vomiting, chest pain that radiates to the arm, or heart palpitations, for example.
It is important to consult the rheumatologist, general practitioner or orthopedist whenever tingling or numbness occurs in the body, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, to identify the cause and perform the most appropriate treatment. In the case of stroke and heart attack, the nearest emergency room should be sought immediately.
Causes of tingling in the body
The main causes of tingling in the body are:
1. Poor circulation
Sitting, lying down or standing in the same position for a long time, mainly cross-legged or with a weight on the limb causes poor circulation and compression in the local nerve, leading to the appearance of tingling. Look at the symptoms of poor circulation.
What to do: you should always try to move the body and do stretching at least 1 time every hour, to stimulate blood circulation. During work or long plane trips, it is important to take small walks at least every 2 hours, getting up to go to the bathroom, drink water or have a cup of coffee, for example. See other natural options for treating tingling in the body.
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2. Hern of Disc
The herniated disc happens when the intervertebral disc, located between the vertebrae of the spine moves, leaving the correct position, or ruptures, which ends up causing compression of the nerves of the region, and a tingling sensation in the arms or hands, or pain in the neck, in the case of the cervical disc herni, or even pain and numbness in the spine, which can radiate up to the legs and toes of the feet, in the case of the hernia.
In addition, symptoms such as numbness or decrease in muscle strength may occur. Check out other symptoms of herniated disc.
What to do: treatment of the herniated disc should be done by the orthopedist that may indicate physical therapy or use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedies, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help relieve pain and decrease inflammation. In more severe cases, the doctor may also recommend surgery. See all about treatment of herniated disc.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes causes poor circulation of blood, especially in the extremities of the body, such as hands and feet, and numbness in this case may also be a sign of the onset of the development of wounds or ulcers in the affected region. Check out how to identify the first symptoms of diabetes.
In addition, uncontrolled diabetes can cause diabetic neuropathy, which is a condition that occurs due to prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels, resulting in progressive damage to the body nerves, the appearance of symptoms such as acute pain, burning sensation, tingling or numbness, and may affect the arms, hands or feet. Learn how to control blood sugar levels.
What to do: treatment should be treated with the endocrinologist, which may indicate the use of antidiabetic drugs, such as insulin, to normalize blood sugar levels. In addition, to relieve pain or tingling caused by diabetic neuropathy, the doctor may prescribe anticonvulsant, antidepressant or opioid medications such as pregabalin, amitriptyline or tramadol, for example. Understand how the treatment of diabetic neuropathy is done.
4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease that causes nerve compression that passes through the wrist and innervates to the palm of the hand, being one of the most common causes of tingling in the fingers, in addition to other symptoms such as pain in the wrist, altered sensitivity, or numbness and sensation of needles in the hand and fingers, especially in the thumb, index or middle finger, and that usually worsen during the night.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens due to repetitive movements, such as working with typing or manual tools, for example,
What to do: the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome should be guided by the orthopedist, which may indicate the use of wrist to immobilize the wrist, especially when sleeping, stretching in the hands or use of anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid remedies. However, in the most severe cases it may also be necessary to have physical therapy or even surgery. See what is the treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.
5.AVC
Stroke, or stroke, is a condition that can cause tingling symptoms or numbness in the hands, feet, arms, or legs, on just one side of the body, difficulty speaking or smiling, crooked mouth, and asymmetrical face. In addition, other symptoms may also appear, such as changes in vision, fainting, headache and even vomiting, depending on the affected region of the brain. Check out other symptoms that may indicate a stroke.
Stroke is a serious situation that can put life at risk and usually occurs due to an obstruction of some blood vessel in the brain, disrupting the circulation of blood, or by the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, which compromises the supply of oxygen to the brain.
What to do: one should seek the nearest emergency room immediately, so that the most appropriate treatment is done that varies according to the type of stroke, in order to avoid complications or sequelae, such as difficulty in moving the body or confusion or memory loss, for example. Learn how stroke is treated.
6. Infarction
Acute myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, consists of an interruption of the passage of blood to the heart, causing the death of the heart cells of this region, which generates pain on the left side of the chest in the form of tightness, which can radiate to neck, jaw, arm, arm, left arm or even, right arm, in the form of feeling of numbness, tingling or pain.
In addition, chest and arm pain can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as dizziness, malate, nausea, cold sweat or pallor. Know all the symptoms of heart attack.
What to do: in the presence of some of these symptoms, one should seek a hospital immediately or call the 192 to call the SAMU, especially in cases of diabetes history, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol. Thus, it is possible to start treatment as soon as possible, with medicines, catheterization or angioplasty to regulate the passage of blood to the heart and avoid complications. Find out how the treatment of the heart attack is done.
7. Deficiency of vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve damage or difficulty transmitting nerve impulses, leading to the appearance of tingling or feeling of numbness, especially in the hands, feet or legs. Look at the signs that indicate a lack of vitamin B12 in the body.
In addition, other symptoms may also appear, such as muscle pain, difficulty concentrating, diarrhea, vomiting or weight loss, for example.
What to do: one should consult the general practitioner to perform tests, in order to identify vitamin B12 deficiency, and to perform the treatment that is usually done with the use of vitamin supplements. In addition, it is important to have a varied diet, eating fresh fruits, vegetables and vegetables, according to the nutritionist’s guidance. See a complete list of foods rich in vitamin B12.
8. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that leads to the degradation of myelin that lines neurons, compromising the functioning of the nervous system and leading to the appearance of symptoms such as lack of strength in the limbs, difficulty walking and coordinating movements and numbness or tingling of the fingers, arms and legs. Learn how to identify symptoms of multiple scleros.
What to do: The treatment of multiple sclerosis is done with guidance from the rheumatologist who can indicate the use of drugs such as anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, painkillers and muscle relaxants, which can prevent the progression of the disease, and relieve symptoms, in addition to physical therapy sessions. See all treatment options for multiple sclerosis.
9. Stress and anxiety
Tingling in the body can also arise from excessive anxiety or stress, which can affect hands, arms and tongue. In some cases, such as panic disorder, this symptom is usually accompanied by cold sweat, heart palpitations, and chest or belly pain.
What to do: in these cases, one should look for a quiet place, take a deep breath several times, concentrating to regulate breathing and improve blood circulation. In addition, it is important to adopt a balanced diet and practice physical exercise regularly, such as yoga or Pilates, to help relieve stress and anxiety. In some cases, it may be necessary to do therapy with the help of a psychologist, or treatment with medications recommended by the psychiatrist. Check out other tips to control anxiety.
10. Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disease that affects the nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as tingling or loss of sensation that usually begins in the feet and goes up to reach the trunk and the arms, in addition to being accompanied by weakness and pain in the legs, and can affect the whole body and cause paralysis.
This syndrome usually happens after having a flu, dengue or Zika, causing the immune system itself to attack and destroy the nerves, as an attempt to fight infection. Look who is most at risk of having this syndrome.
What to do: in case of suspicion of Guillain-Barré, one should seek the emergency room, because the disease can reach the lungs and prevent breathing, it is necessary to do the treatment in the hospital.
11. Use of some medicines
Some medicines can cause tingling as one of the side effects, such as chemotherapy medicine, for HIV infection or the antibiotic metronidazole.
What to do: you should talk to the doctor to evaluate the possibility of changing the medication or receiving guidance on what to do to reduce the side effects of the drug.
12. excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
Constant intake and in large amounts of alcohol can cause damage to the nerves located in the extremities of the body, causing tingling and cramps mainly in the hands and feet.
What to do: to relieve symptoms one should stop the consumption of alcoholic beverages and seek the general clinic to evaluate the presence of other diseases caused by excess alcohol in the body, such as liver problems and gallstones. Learn how treatment is to stop drinking alcohol.
13. Animal bites
The bite or bite of some animals, such as dogs, cats, snakes or spiders can cause tingling in place. However, one should be aware of the appearance of other symptoms such as fever, burning, swelling, tremors and pus in place, as they may indicate the presence of infection or diseases such as rabies.
What to do: try to identify the animal that caused the injury, wash the place well and look for the doctor in case of venomous animal, dog with symptoms of rabies or the appearance of some of the symptoms mentioned above. Look at a natural treatment for poor circulation.
14. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic neurological condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body, increased sensitivity, difficulty sleeping, frequent tiredness, headache and dizziness, muscle stiffness and numbness or tingling of the hands and feet. Check out other causes of tingling of the feet.
What to do: treatment should be guided by the rheumatologist who may indicate the use of analgesic or antidepressant drugs, physiotherapy or exercise. See more about treatment for fibromyalgia.
15. Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an infection transmitted by the bite of a tick contaminated with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which can cause neurological symptoms, such as numbness in the hands, feet or paralysis of the muscles of the face, for example.
In addition, it can lead to the appearance of heart problems, arthritis or meningitis. Know how to identify the symptoms of Lyme disease.
What to do: the treatment of Lyme disease is done with the use of antibiotics in the form of tablets or injection into the vein, prescribed by the general clinician or infectologist.
16. Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox, as it is able to remain inactive in the body for many years, and can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened.
This infection can cause tingling in the body, especially in the chest and belly region, in addition to other symptoms such as numbness, blisters and pain at the affected site.
What to do: the treatment is done by the general practitioner or neurologist, with the use of antivirals, such as acyclovir, valaciclovir or fanciclovir, as well as analgesics, or topical anesthetic, to relieve pain. See how ugly the treatment of herpes zoster is.
Read also: Vaccine herpes zoster: what it’s for, types and doses
