Tingling or numbness of the hands and feet is a common sensory symptom and can occur as an episodic or ongoing phenomenon. It may also be benign if it is caused by temporary pressure on the area nerve (e.g., sleeping with your hand under your head or sitting crossed leg, pressing on the nerve). However, tingling and numbness may also point to some other health issue, which may be damaging the nervous system or blood supply. It is essential to be aware of the potential causes and how to manage these symptoms or conditions should they arise, so we can treat them effectively and recover.
Typical Causes of Tingling or Numbness
There is a wide range of causes of tingling (paraesthesia) and numbness. These symptoms of tingling and numbness can originate as a result of irritation, compression, or damage to the involved structures (nerves). In some cases, supplements or medications like a nurokind tablet may be recommended by healthcare professionals to address underlying deficiencies.
Some general examples of the causes of numbness and tingling include:
Nerve Compression or Entrapment
Tingling and numbness can be caused by temporary nerve entrapment (compression) from sustained pressure on a nerve (for example, when sleeping with a hand under a head or crossing your legs). Tingling, in this case, typically resolves when the pressure on the nerve is relieved.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves, generally caused by a chronic health condition such as diabetes mellitus. Symptoms can present as numbness, burning sensation, and tingling, usually starting in the feet and hands.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin deficiencies can negatively affect your nerves if you do not take enough B vitamins (especially B12, B6, and folate). B vitamins are essential for nerve health and nerve medical repair.
Infections
Antiviral (bacterial or viral) infections, such as shingles and Lyme disease, can affect the nerves and can be experienced as prickling or numbness.
Autoimmune Disorders
Diseases like multiple sclerosis or lupus can cause nerve inflammation, and can lead to symptoms like tingling, weakness in the muscles, and coordination difficulties.
Circulatory Disorders
Reduced blood flow, typically due to vascular issues, can impair nerve function, leading to numbness or tingling, especially in the fingers or toes.
Medications or Alcohol Consumption
Certain chemotherapeutic medications or long-term alcohol use can damage peripheral nerves.
When to Get Help
If you notice tingling or numbness:
- It lasts for a long time.
- If it comes on suddenly without a known cause.
- If you see weakness, loss of coordination, or vision problems.
- If it started after a head or neck injury.
Managing Tingling and Numbness
It's important to remember that to manage tingling or numbness, we first need to identify the cause and treat it at the source. Sometimes changing lifestyle or supplementing intake will suffice. Other times, medical treatment specific to a diagnosis will be needed.
Nutritional Support for Nerve Function
To maintain nerve health, you have to ensure you get the right set of vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins. If you are shown to be deficient, then your doctor may recommend a supplement.
Nurokind is a supplement that is often recommended, since it contains mecobalamin (one form of Vitamin B12), which helps the nerve repair and function properly. It can be recommended in patients with diabetic neuropathy, B12 deficiency and other diagnoses that affect peripheral nerve function. But always follow your doctor's advice before taking any supplements.
If you are experiencing mild and temporary tingling or numbness, here are some things you can usually do at home:
Positioning
We need to try to find working positions that don't compress our nerves or restrict blood flow. Try your best to use ergonomic sitting and sleeping positions.
Find Opportunity to Move
Find opportunities to engage in stretching or gentle exercise to improve circulation and release pressure on our nerves. Don't sit or stand in the same position for too long.
Blood Sugar Regulation
For people with diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels will lessen nerve damage.
Avoid Known Triggers
Reducing alcohol, avoiding cold temperatures, or any other known triggers may assist reduce symptoms in certain individuals.
Take Care of your Feet and Hands
Individuals with diabetes, need to carefully monitor and look after their feet and hands for signs of injury since they may not feel them, given our reduced sensation.
Refer to Physical Therapy
For entrapments in nerves, physiotherapy can be a effective approach to resolving symptoms by improving positioning and reducing pressure on the nerves.
Stress Management
High levels of stress may also present our symptoms, so using relaxation strategies such as deep breathing or meditation can help reduce stress.
Diagnostic Testing
If your symptoms persist, the health provider may suggest testing, which may include:
- Blood testing, to identify vitamin deficiencies, diabetes or infectious processes
- Nerve conduction testing, to evaluate peripheral nerves and their function
- Imaging (MRI or CT), to identify structural aetiology such as herniated discs or tumours
The treatment will be guided by the diagnosis; for example;
- For diabetic neuropathy, we will want to improve our glycemic control and initiate a medication to avoid future damage to our nerves.
- For autoimmune etiologies, we may require medications that will suppress the immune system.
Medications and Supplementation
There are medications usually provided to reduce sensory symptoms related to our nerves, such as pain relief or medications that support peripheral nerve integrity or repair.
If there are long-term implications for nerves, some medications or supplements may assist in the healing of the peripheral nerve. In particular a mecofol tablet. Mecofol contains mecobalamin to maintain healthy nerves and regenerate nerve cells. Supplementing with mecobalamin may be especially beneficial for people with nutritional deficits and specifically diabetic neuropathy.
That said, any supplementation should be done collaboratively with a doctor. Since not taking a vitamin supplement correctly and/or taking too much, could also have adverse effects.
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, visit your doctor to receive a diagnosis and an individualised health plan.