Paresthesia can result from various factors. While it can occur temporarily from simple situations like sitting with crossed legs for an extended period, which restricts blood flow and usually resolves on its own, chronic Paresthesia may have underlying causes. These include:
Neuropathy: This condition involves permanent nerve damage, often caused by persistently high blood sugar levels, as seen in diabetes, but can also result from illnesses or injuries.
Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve): This occurs when a nerve gets compressed, inflamed, or irritated, leading to tingling sensations.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Pressure on peripheral nerves in the wrist can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands.
Raynaud's Disease: Primarily affecting fingers and toes, this condition disrupts proper blood circulation, resulting in pins and needles and colour changes in the extremities.
Fibromyalgia: Chronic pain is a hallmark of this condition, often accompanied by Paresthesia.
Diabetes: Poor blood sugar control can cause pins and needles sensations, mainly when blood sugar levels are too high or low, potentially leading to neuropathy.
Multiple Sclerosis: This neurological condition can produce paresthesia sensations in various body parts.
Sciatica: Pins and needles or numbness travelling down the leg and foot from the back may indicate sciatica.
Anxiety: Rapid breathing during anxiety can lead to tingling sensations commonly felt in the fingers and lips.
Stroke: Weakness, numbness, or pins and needles on one side of the body or in one arm can be a sign of a stroke, requiring immediate medical attention.
Herniated Disc: Damage to the discs between vertebrae can irritate or compress nerves, resulting in numbness or paresthesia symptoms.
Paresthesia can also be a side effect of specific medications or treatments or be associated with poor dietary choices or excessive alcohol consumption. This list is not exhaustive, and if you experience frequent or persistent pins and needles, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.