Paresthesia

As Paresthesia refers to numbness, tingling and other sensations that have physical or psychological causes. They are usually triggered by nerve diseases and, depending on their severity, can be treated well.

What are abnormal sensations?

As a rule, the narrowing down is followed by a medical history by the doctor and an X-ray or CT examination. If chronic nerve damage is suspected, the doctor checks the reflexes, performs various vibration tests and measures the nerve conduction speed.
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Paresthesia or paresthesia are unusual sensory perceptions such as tingling, burning or stinging. They feel like pinpricks and are usually triggered by pinched nerves, damage to the nerve tracts or pressure.

Paresthesias can occur in all parts of the body. The complaints are mostly limited to the hands and feet. A well-known form of discomfort is something like the "fallen asleep leg", which most people have already experienced once. It is triggered by an interruption in the blood supply and the resulting lack of oxygen and glucose. Other forms have similar causes.

causes

Parasitic sensations can have many causes. Frequently, pressure loads on a nerve tract, hyperventilation, migraines or myofascial pain occur.

Permanent disorders of the nerve cells such as neuropathies also lead to abnormal sensations. These are also chronic and are triggered by metabolic diseases such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus or diabetic neuropathy.

Systemic neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and poisoning from certain drugs, alcohol or heavy metals also trigger permanent paresthesia. Likewise, the overdose of anti-epileptic drugs. If only certain areas of the skin are affected, the causes are diseases or injuries to certain nerves.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Paresthesias are abnormal sensations that are mainly noticeable as tingling and numbness. All parts of the body can be affected by these so-called sensitivity disorders. Most often, however, they occur in the feet, fingers, and hands. Pain is rarely observed in paresthesia.

In addition to tingling and tingling, some people affected may experience a burning sensation or stinging. The sting then feels like pinpricks. Disturbances in the perception of heat and cold can also occur. Overall, the paresthesias are characterized by extremely unpleasant sensations, which, however, do not always have to be limited to certain parts of the body.

In severe cases, they can affect the whole body. A distinction is made between two forms of paresthesia. This is a so-called transient (temporary) as well as a chronic form. A typical example of temporary paresthesia is the asleep leg or arm, which everyone already knows. Here, the oxygen supply to the nerves is usually temporarily reduced due to circulatory disorders.

The chronic forms of paraesthesia can also be caused by serious illnesses. Since the nerve endings are permanently damaged here, the symptoms remain chronic or can even worsen. A typical example of this is diabetic neuropathy of the foot, which often develops into what is known as a diabetic foot.

Diagnosis & course

The exact diagnosis can only be made with some effort in the case of abnormal sensations. It must be determined in advance which parts of the body the disorders occur, in what form they occur and whether they occur permanently or in bursts.

As a rule, the narrowing down is followed by a medical history by the doctor and an X-ray or CT examination. If chronic nerve damage is suspected, the doctor checks the reflexes, performs various vibration tests and measures the nerve conduction speed. If an injury is found to be the cause in a personal conversation with the patient, there is a suspicion that the nerve damage is permanent.

To confirm the suspicion, the impulse transmission of the nerve is measured. The sensitivity functions are also tested. If the skin sensation has completely disappeared, the suspicion of a tumor or lump is obvious. In this case, the diagnosis is made through ultrasound exams. Tissue samples are also taken and evaluated in the laboratory.

If the symptoms only occur in the extremities, there may be a circulatory disorder. The doctor makes the diagnosis after an ultrasound examination and a detailed discussion with the patient. The course of the abnormal sensations depends heavily on the cause.

If the paresthesia is triggered by a tumor, the disease can be fatal, while abnormal sensations as a result of circulatory disorders often go away on their own. If there is permanent nerve damage from an injury, the symptoms persist but do not necessarily worsen.

Complications

As a rule, abnormal sensations always lead to a strong reduction in the patient's quality of life. Those affected are clearly restricted in their everyday life and this leads to paralysis or disorders of sensitivity. It is not uncommon for patients to suffer from a typical tingling sensation when they exert themselves or use the affected region.

Due to the disturbance of the sensitivity, certain work or activities of everyday life can possibly no longer be carried out. Dangers are possibly no longer correctly assessed, so that dangerous situations can arise in the everyday life of the person concerned. Complications usually occur when the abnormal sensations were caused by damage to the nerves and are therefore irreversible.

As a rule, these can no longer be treated and the disease does not develop positively. Not infrequently, the patients are then dependent on the help of other people in their everyday life and can no longer carry out many everyday activities alone. In the case of a tumor, the disease may progress positively if it cannot be removed in time. The further course of the disease, however, depends heavily on the trigger and the severity of the abnormal sensations, so that a general prediction is usually not possible.

When should you go to the doctor?

Perception disorders on the skin are to be interpreted as a warning from the organism. If they stop, spread over the body or if they increase in intensity, a doctor should examine and clarify the symptoms. In many cases there are psychological problems that should be treated. At the same time, it must be possible to rule out a physical or organic disorder. If you are over-sensitive to touch or contact with heat and cold, it is advisable to consult a doctor. If there are circulatory disorders, irregularities in the heart rhythm or cold limbs, a doctor's visit is required.

A doctor is required in the event of sleep disorders, general malaise or fatigue. If the person concerned suffers from tingling on the skin, numbness or legs asleep, a doctor should be consulted. If the skin turns blue, there is a lack of oxygen in the organism. This must be treated as quickly as possible so that there is no life-threatening condition.

If the person concerned feels pressure pain in the region of the abnormal sensations, a pinched nerve may be the cause. See a doctor before nerve death or other permanent impairment occurs. Correction is necessary if the body has incorrect posture due to the abnormal sensations. If left untreated, there is a risk of permanent damage to the skeletal system and an increase in symptoms.

Treatment & Therapy

After the cause of the abnormal sensations has been determined, appropriate therapy can be initiated. Here, too, it is crucial which disorder or disease triggers the effect. If there is nerve damage, the causes are primarily treated.The underlying drug or alcohol abuse must be stopped so that the nerves can heal again.

If an injury is the cause, physiotherapeutic treatment is initiated. As part of this therapy, attempts are made to reduce the impairment through gymnastics exercises, massages and other measures. Success depends on the severity of the damage.

In the case of a tumor, treatment is the same as cancer therapy. The abnormal sensations have only a low priority in this diagnosis and are rarely treated separately. However, the prescribed medication and successful therapy can eliminate the paresthesia.

If there are circulatory disorders, the treatment is relatively uncomplicated. It is often enough to prescribe certain medications to balance the vitamin balance. However, in some cases it is also necessary to place a bypass or to treat the blood fat constrictions surgically. The so-called balloon dilatation is also an effective remedy for paresthesia.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for paresthesia and circulatory disorders

Outlook & forecast

The prognosis depends on the cause of the abnormal sensations (paresthesia). Last but not least, the individual emotional state determines how to deal with an illness. Light forms usually run smoothly and disappear again after a while. Treatment is therefore not always indicated. In other cases, therapies can help.

Nerve entrapment can usually be successfully treated with physiotherapy. Surgery and physiotherapy are available for herniated discs. Basically, such a disease does not reduce life expectancy. In other cases, paresthesia is permanent. This is regularly the case after a stroke and with lasting damage to the nerves. Those affected then have no choice but to live with the symptoms. The quality of life suffers. Medication can provide relief, at least temporarily.

A disease is not infrequently the result of other ailments. The patient increases his discomfort due to the paresthesia. An exact diagnosis is sometimes complex. This applies in particular if a connection cannot be clearly established. Some patients even have to consult several doctors until they improve. This fact partly causes unfavorable prospects.

prevention

Parasitic sensations have innumerable causes, which is why there is no special prophylaxis. However, it is possible to identify the determining factors and take effective action against them. A healthy diet is just as useful as regular exercise, frugal alcohol consumption and avoiding nicotine. In general, it makes sense to take care of your body and recognize warning signs early on.

People who have suffered an injury to the extremity can avoid paresthesia by consulting a doctor early on. This can examine the affected nerve tracts and initiate appropriate physiotherapy in the event of damage. Finally, paresthesia can be prevented through relaxation exercises, regular massages and sufficient fluid intake.

Aftercare

Above all, it makes sense to focus on causal follow-up treatments. This means eliminating the causes that favor paresthesia. So it is advisable to start withdrawal in the event of alcohol abuse. For diabetics, blood sugar control and medication management should be in the foreground.

For people with a vitamin deficiency, it is advisable to switch to a balanced diet or to replace the deficiency with vitamin preparations. If medication is the cause of paresthesia, it should either be replaced or, if possible, avoided. Symptomatic follow-up can support and complement causal in any case.

For many people who define pain as the main symptom of paresthesia, combined aftercare in the form of pain medication, relaxation and electrical stimulation therapy helps. Physical measures such as physiotherapy, massages or alternating baths support positive body awareness and wellbeing on the one hand and increase blood flow on the other, which has a positive effect on the nerve cells.

With the help of symptomatic follow-up care, accidents and injuries can also be counteracted. For example, those affected should avoid hot baths without temperature control and hot water bottles in order to avoid burns. It is also advisable to make the foot inspection a daily evening ritual, because blisters or friction ulcerations are often not noticed with paresthesia. If the disease makes walking unsteady, the living environment can be redesigned so that there are fewer opportunities to fall.

You can do that yourself

The possibilities of self-help with paresthesia depend on the cause. The healing of nerve damage caused by a pinched nerve on the body can be supported by massages or balancing movements. The connective tissue or tense muscles can be massaged independently using circular movements. In addition, a pleasant supply of heat is important for support. It is helpful to control your posture and avoid positions in which blood circulation cannot be adequately guaranteed.

Sports activities promote blood circulation and stimulate the circulation. Health is also supported with a controlled hydration and the use of alternating baths. If the abnormal sensations occur in the fingers and toes, they must be specially protected in the event of a drop in temperature. Warm clothing and targeted movements of hands and feet can prevent or eliminate discomfort. Controlling and optimizing everyday habits can help solve problems with sensations in many cases.

Targeted body awareness training helps to recognize and change unhealthy weight loads. They are particularly suitable as preventive measures. In the case of numbness or sensitivity disorders on the skin, these regions should be specially protected from external influences. There is an increased risk of injury, which is often noticed too late.