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12 Causes of tingling in the body

The tingling sensation in the body usually occurs due to compression of the nerve in that region, which is normally due to the lack of oxygen or problems in the nerve or central nervous system.

Usually this symptom is transient and improves with limb movement or local massages, which improve circulation. However, it can also indicate the presence of problems such as poor circulation, stroke, herniated disc and diabetes and so if it does not disappear within minutes, you should see a general practitioner or go to the hospital to identify the correct cause and start the most appropriate treatment.

12 Causes of tingling in the body

1. Bad body positioning

Sitting, lying or standing in the same position for a long time, especially with crossed legs or with a weight on the limb causes poor circulation and compression in the local nerve, leading to the onset of tingling.

What to do: You should always try to move the body and stretch at least once 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, drinking water or having a cup of coffee, for example

2. Herniated disk

Due to the wear and tear of the spine joint, compression occurs in the nerve that runs from the spine to the buttocks and legs, causing pain and numbness in the spine, which can radiate to the legs and toes.

What to do: A herniated disk should be treated to prevent the onset of the symptoms of this disease, and it is possible to use medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and painkillers.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes causes poor blood circulation, especially in the extremities of the body such as the hands and feet, and numbness in this case may also signal the onset of developing wounds or ulcers in the affected region. See how to identify the first symptoms of diabetes.

What to do: If you keep your blood glucose levels controlled is the best way to make the your blood circulation better and properly feed all regions of the body. In addition, walking at least 30 minutes a day helps improve blood flow and decreases blood glucose.

4. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease that causes compression of a nerve that passes through the wrist, causing numbness and a feeling that you have needles in the hand and fingers, especially at night.

What to do: Use wrist cuffs to immobilize the wrist, especially when sleeping, stretch your hands or take an anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid medication. However, in more severe cases it may also be necessary to undergo physiotherapy or even surgery.

5. Stroke and heart attack

A stroke can cause signs of muscle weakness on one side of the body, which is usually accompanied by tingling, difficulty speaking and dizziness, while in a heart attack, the other symptoms are chest pain, arm or back pain, malaise and motion sickness.

What to do: In the presence of these symptoms you should seek an emergency room so that you can be seen as soon as possible and avoid serious sequelae caused by these problems.

12 Causes of tingling in the body

6. Lack of vitamin B12, calcium, potassium or sodium

The lack of any of these nutrients in the body can cause circulation problems, anemia and difficulty transmitting the nerve impulses, which can cause the sensation of numbness. See the signs that indicate the lack of vitamin B12 in the body.

What to do: You should have a varied diet by eating at least 2 glasses of milk or yogurt, 3 pieces of fruit and consuming vegetables and greens in the main meals.

7. Nervous system diseases

Diseases that affect the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, cause symptoms of repetitive tingling that strikes one body member at a time, it can also appear eye pain, loss of vision, dizziness and tremors.

What to do: You should seek the doctor to identify the cause of the problem and start the appropriate treatment. If you have multiple sclerosis, corticosteroids, muscle relaxants and other medications should be taken according to medical advice, as well as physical therapy.

8. Anxiety and stress

Tingling due to excessive anxiety or stress can affect hands, arms and tongue, and if you suffer from panic syndrome this symptom is usually accompanied by cold sweats, heart palpitations, and chest or belly pain.

What to do: In these cases, you should seek a quiet place, take deep breaths several times, concentrating in regulating your breathing and improve blood circulation. In addition, doing activities like yoga and pilates may help to relieve stress and anxiety.

12 Causes of tingling in the body

9. Guillain-Barré syndrome

In Guillain-Barré syndrome, which usually occurs after having the flu, dengue or Zika, the numbness usually starts in the feet and goes up to the trunk and arms, along with weakness and pain in the legs, which evolves until it reaches the whole body and leaves the patient paralyzed.

What to do: If there is suspicion of Guillain-Barré syndrome, you should seek first aid, as the disease can reach the lungs and prevent breathing, and it is necessary to have treatment in the hospital.

10. Use of some medications

Some medication can cause tingling as one of the side effects, of chemotherapy drugs, for AIDS or the antibiotic metronidazole.

What to do: You should talk to your doctor about whether you can change your medication or get advice on what to do to lessen the side effects of the medication.

11. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages

Constant ingestion and in large quantities of alcohol can cause damage to the nerves at the extremities of the body, causing tingling and cramps, especially in the hands and feet.

What to do: To relieve symptoms you should stop drinking alcohol and seek medical advice to check for other illnesses caused by excessive alcohol in the body, such as liver problems and gallstones.

12. Animal bites

Biting or stinging of some animals such as dogs, cats, snakes or spiders can cause tingling in the region of the bite. However, you should be aware of the appearance of other symptoms such as fever, burning, swelling, tremors and pus in the region, 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 area well and seek the doctor if you were bitten by a poisonous animal, a dog with symptoms of rabies or the appearance of any of the symptoms mentioned above.

To relieve the tingling sensation, see: Natural remedies for poor circulation.

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