- 1. Poor positioning of the body
- 2. Herniated disc
- 3. Peripheral polyneuropathy
- 4. Panic attacks, anxiety and stress
- 5. Multiple sclerosis
- 6. Beriberi
- 7. Fractures
- 8. Diabetes
- 9. Guillain – Barré syndrome
- 10. Animal bite
- 11. Atherosclerosis
The tingling sensation in the legs and feet can happen simply because the body is positioned badly or it can be a sign of diseases such as herniated discs, diabetes or multiple sclerosis, or it can happen due to a fracture in a limb or an animal bite.
This symptom can appear alone or accompanied by other symptoms, and specific treatment for the disease may be necessary.
1. Poor positioning of the body
One of the most common causes of tingling in the legs and feet is sitting, lying or standing in the same position for a long time, such as sitting on top of one leg, causing poor circulation and nerve compression at the site.
What to do: The ideal is to change your position frequently and do stretches at least once a day, in order to stimulate circulation during the day. In addition, one must go in the case of long trips, or people who work all day sitting, should take some breaks to walk a little.
Watch the following video and see what to do to avoid tingling in your legs and feet:
2. Herniated disc
A herniated disc is a protrusion of the intervertebral disc that causes symptoms such as back pain and numbness in the spine, which can radiate to the legs and toes and cause tingling.
What to do: The treatment consists of the administration of analgesics, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation, physiotherapy, and in more severe cases you may have to resort to surgery. See more about treatment.
3. Peripheral polyneuropathy
Peripheral polyneuropathy is characterized by changes in the nerves of the body, causing the person to feel a lot of pain, tingling, lack of strength or lack of sensitivity in some specific regions of the body.
What to do: Treatment is done according to the needs of each person and the disease that causes neuropathy, and consists of pain relief with anesthetics and physical therapy, which is a great option to rehabilitate the affected areas.
4. Panic attacks, anxiety and stress
Extreme stress and anxiety situations can cause symptoms such as tingling of the hands, arms, tongue and legs, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as cold sweats, heart palpitations and pain in the chest or belly.
What to do: In these cases one should try to keep calm and regulate breathing in order to improve blood circulation. If this is not possible, a doctor should be consulted, as treatment may be necessary. See other ways to calm the mind.
5. Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation, in which the layers of myelin that cover and isolate or neurons are destroyed, thus impairing the transmission of messages that control the body's movements such as speaking or walking, leading to disability. In addition to causing a tingling sensation in the limbs, this disease can also manifest involuntary movements in the muscles and difficulty walking.
What to do: Multiple sclerosis has no cure and treatment has to be done for life, which consists of taking medications to slow the progression of the disease, such as Interferon, Fingolimod, Natalizumab and Glatiramer Acetate, corticosteroids to reduce intensity and duration of crises, and medication to control symptoms, such as pain relievers, muscle relaxants or antidepressants. See more about treatment for multiple sclerosis.
6. Beriberi
Beriberi is a disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency that can cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, double vision, mental confusion and tingling in the hands and feet. Learn more about this disease.
What to do: The treatment of this disease consists of taking supplements with vitamin B1, eliminating alcohol consumption and increasing consumption of foods rich in this vitamin, such as oat flakes, sunflower seeds or rice, for example.
7. Fractures
During the treatment of a fracture, as the limb is immobilized for a long time and as it suffers a slight compression due to the placement of ice, it can feel tingling in that place. Tingling in the legs is more frequent when the fracture occurs in the hip.
What to do: One thing that can help to reduce the tingling sensation is to keep the limb slightly elevated in relation to the body whenever possible, however, if you feel a lot of discomfort you should go to the doctor.
rest with the elevated limb
8. Diabetes
Diabetes can cause poor circulation, especially in the extremities of the body, such as hands and feet, and the tingling can be a sign of the beginning of the development of wounds or ulcers in the feet or hands.
What to do: In these cases it is very important to frequently control blood glucose levels, be careful with food and take walks of at least 30 minutes a day, in order to help improve blood circulation.
9. Guillain – Barré syndrome
Guillain – Barré syndrome is a serious neurological disease that is characterized by inflammation of the nerves and muscle weakness, which can lead to death. In most cases it is diagnosed after an infection caused by a virus, such as dengue or zika, for example. One of the most common symptoms is tingling and loss of sensation in the legs and arms. See more about this disease.
What to do: Usually the treatment is done in the hospital, with a method that consists of filtering the blood, in order to remove the antibodies that are attacking the nervous system, or injecting antibodies that act against those antibodies that are attacking the nerves, reducing your inflammation. See more about treatment.
10. Animal bite
The bite of some animals such as bees, snakes or spiders can cause tingling in the place, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling, fever or burning, for example.
What to do: The first thing to do is try to identify the animal that caused the injury, wash the area well and go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
11. Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of fatty plaques inside the arteries, which occurs over time, which can block blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke. Most symptoms only appear when the vessel is blocked, and can be chest pain, breathing difficulties, leg pain, fatigue and tingling and muscle weakness in the place with poor circulation. Learn more about atherosclerosis.
What to do: Atherosclerosis plaque is formed due to high cholesterol, advancing age and obesity, so improving your diet, consuming less saturated fats and sugar and exercising regularly, can help prevent plaque formation. It is also very important to go to the doctor immediately as soon as the first symptoms appear.
