Leg numbness - what are the possible causes?
Tingling in the extremities is something that practically all of us have had the opportunity to feel on our skin. It is enough to spend a long time sitting on the foot or occupying another uncomfortable position. In a healthy person, such symptoms will quickly disappear after a change in body position or a short walk around the house.
However, if we lead a rather sedentary lifestyle, we have a sedentary job, numbness of limbs may become a constant companion of our everyday life. This is due to the constant pressure on the nerves and blood vessels.
In such a situation, it is worth introducing into your daily schedule short breaks at work or adding some movement after work. A simple walk or popular Nordic walking can also change a lot in our general condition.
However, if the pain in our legs does not go away, and it even increases, it should be an alarm signal for us that something alarming is going on in our organism. Find out what can cause such numbness.
Leg numbness - causes
Many factors may affect the formation of such symptoms. The most common problem is pressure on the nerve. It occurs, for example, as a result of prolonged staying in one position - usually sitting.
The compression may also be caused by changes in the spinal column, e.g., by a herniated disc or narrowing of the spinal canal. In some cases, the cause is a haematoma or a tumour in this area.
Suffering in the legs and arms can also be caused by interruption of nerve conduction. Similar to compression, but for different reasons. These may include, for example, heavy metal poisoning or burns or frostbite, trauma to the upper and lower limbs, or damage to a particular nerve.
Sometimes the problem is also caused by a lack of proper blood supply to the nerves due to atherosclerosis or other diseases. Numbness in the legs may also be one of the symptoms of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, as well as diabetic, drug, or post-alcohol neuropathy.
Diet is also important in this case. If there is a lack of B group vitamins, especially vitamin B6, but also magnesium or calcium, tingling in the legs may appear.
Numbness in the legs during pregnancy is also not uncommon. Here again, it is difficult to pinpoint a single cause. It may be related to rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis and osteoarthritis, but hormonal changes are also often indicated.
In addition, during pregnancy, blood circulation, posture, and the position of the pelvis change, and the pressure on the blood vessels can cause leg pain.
Numbness in the legs may indicate various diseases
While it is completely natural that sitting in one position for a long time makes our legs or arms numb, recurring numbness or pain in arms and legs should give us food for thought. If it is caused by our habits and lifestyle - it is worth introducing changes, which will eliminate the problem.
A bit of exercise is enough. A walk after work or frequent breaks with getting up from the desk and stretching should be permanently inscribed into our daily schedule.
It also does not hurt to take care of a proper diet. Perhaps the cause of the numbness is a diet low in vitamins and magnesium. You will benefit the whole organism by diversifying your diet, limiting coffee, and drinking more mineral water.
Numbness in the legs may indicate a peripheral vascular disease. It manifests itself by the fact that the blood vessels in the legs narrow. As a result, the blood flow is disrupted and reduced. Fat cells start to accumulate in the vessels, which block the blood flow even more. This is what we feel as numbness.
Systemic vasculitis can also manifest itself in a similar way. Untreated inflammation damages the walls of blood vessels, which leads to blockages and thrombosis.
How to protect yourself from leg numbness?
Despite appearances, it is not particularly difficult. It is enough to take care of healthy eating habits, drink plenty of water and avoid stimulants. Alcohol and cigarettes do not have a positive effect on blood circulation, and this may result not only in numbness but also in more serious diseases.
Rest with your legs elevated above your head. It is also good to avoid prolonged sitting and standing. If your job requires it, take frequent breaks whenever possible.
Avoid tight-fitting clothes, trousers, underwear, and even socks with tight welts. If you experience numbness caused by venous stasis, use compression products such as knee-high socks or tights which promote the return of venous blood. When taking a shower, it is a good idea to stimulate circulation by alternating cool and warm water.
The whole organism will also be relieved if you lose unnecessary kilograms. This will relieve the spine and joints and reduce the amount of fat deposited in the nooks and crannies of your body. This will not only make us feel better and healthier, but it will also improve our self-esteem and make us look more attractive.
