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Defining Paresthesia
The term, 'Paresthesia,' refers to a prickling or burning sensation that a person experiences in their feet, legs, arms, or hands; although it may also occur in other parts of their body. The sensation, which can occur without warning, is often painless and has been described as numbness or tingling, 'skin crawling,' or itching. The majority of people experience temporary paresthesia, with the associated feeling of, 'pins and needles,' at some point in their lives when they have remained in a sitting position with their legs crossed for too long, or have fallen asleep with an arm underneath of their head. Paresthesia is something that may occur when sustained pressure is placed on a nerve. The sensation fades quickly when the pressure is relieved.
Chronic paresthesia is many times a symptom of an underlying neurological disease or traumatic nerve damage. Paresthesia may be caused by disorders that affect a person's central nervous system, such as transient ischemic attacks or strokes, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, or transverse myelitis. Vascular lesions or tumors pressing against a person's spinal cord or brain may also cause paresthesia. Nerve entrapment syndromes, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, might damage a person's peripheral nerves causing paresthesia as well as pain.
Chronic paresthesia is often a symptom of an underlying neurological disease or traumatic nerve damage. Paresthesia can be caused by disorders affecting the central nervous system, such as stroke and transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes), multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, and encephalitis. A tumor or vascular lesion pressed up against the brain or spinal cord can also cause paresthesia. Nerve entrapment syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can damage peripheral nerves and cause paresthesia accompanied by pain.
Causes of Paresthesia
When a person experiences paresthesia, symptoms from a wide-range of possibilities may occur. There are a number of potential causes as well; multiple sclerosis for instance. The list below includes many of the potential causes of paresthesia.
- Migraines
- Alcoholism
- Neuropathy
- Malnutrition
- Menopause
- Dehydration
- Fibromyalgia
- Herpes zoster
- Hypoglycemia
- Fabry disease
- Nerve irritation
- Atherosclerosis
- Hyperventilation
- Multiple sclerosis
- Immune deficiency
- Metabolic disorders
- Lidocaine poisoning
- Anticonvulsant drugs
- Lupus erythematosus
- Neurological disorders
- Motor neuron diseases
- Lyme disease infection
- Beta-alanine ingestion
- Autoimmune disorders
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Symptoms of Paresthesia
Interestingly, paresthesia itself is something that can be considered a symptom of certain conditions. The lack of one of the conditions mentioned in this article does not necessarily mean that a person is not experiencing some level of paresthesia. In addition, the paresthesia a person experiences may be either chronic, or transient. When paresthesia is caused by a particular condition, additional symptoms might become a part of the person's experience, related to underlying causes. The symptoms of paresthesia may include:
- Itching
- Tingling
- Footdrop
- Dysarthria
- Numbness
- Muscular atrophy
- Ocular dysmetria
- Restless leg syndrome
- Crawling sensation on the skin
- "Falling asleep" of limbs such as a hand, foot, arm, leg, etc.
Diagnosing Paresthesia
A diagnostic evaluation of paresthesia is based on determination of the underlying condition that is causing the person to experience paresthesia sensations. A person's medical history, in combination with a physical examination and laboratory testing, are essential for a diagnosis. A doctor might order other tests depending upon the suspected cause of the paresthesia the person is experiencing.
Paresthesia can be classified as either transient or chronic. Transient paresthesia might be a symptoms of hyperventilation or a panic attack. Chronic paresthesia can be the result of nerve irritation, poor circulation, neuropathy, or a number of other conditions or causes. There is no form of long-term physical effect from paresthesia, although its underlying conditions can have a number of effects.
Treatment of Paresthesia
Treatment of paresthesia depends on an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause. For people with limbs that have fallen asleep, restoration of their circulation through exercising, stretching, or massaging the affected limb can rapidly dissipate the tingling and sensations of numbness. If the paresthesia is due to a chronic disease, such as diabetes, or occurs as a complication of treatments like chemotherapy, the majority of treatments are aimed at relief of the person's symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin are recommended if the person's symptoms are mild.
People with more difficult paresthesia might be administered antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline. Antidepressant medications prescribed for paresthesia are given at a much lower dosage than they are for the relief of depression. The medications are believed to help because the alter the person's perception of pain. If the paresthesia a person is experiencing is even more severe, opium derivatives such as codeine might be prescribed. As of the year 1998, trials are being performed in order to determine whether treatment with human nerve growth factor will be effective in regenerating damaged nerves.
There are also a number of alternative treatments available to assist in relieving the symptoms of paresthesia. Nutritional therapy can include B complex vitamin supplementation, particularly vitamin B12. Vitamin supplementation is something that should be pursued with caution; however, because an overdose of Vitamin B6 for example is one of the causes of paresthesias. People who experience paresthesia should avoid the consumption of alcohol.
Acupuncture and massage are also believed to provide a level of relief from the symptoms of paresthesia. Self-massage with aromatic oils is sometimes helpful as well. The application of topical ointments that contain, 'capsaicin,' the substance that makes hot peppers hot, might provide relief from paresthesia. It can also be helpful to wear clothes and shoes that are loose-fitting.