Numbness, skin crawling, and loss of sensation in the legs, hands, and arms. This is a classic case of paresthesia.
Why does Numbness Occur in the First Place?
One of the main causes of Paresthesia is any sort of nerve injury or entrapment that does not allow the nervous system to work properly. According to a neurosurgeon in Rawalpindi, many illnesses, ailments, diseases, or disorders can further cause numbness that might lead to paresthesia.
But people can also suffer from acute cases of paresthesia
What are the Causes of Paresthesia?
The causes of paresthesia can range from orthopedic problems to neurological reasons. Let us break them down one by one:
Paresthesia Due to Orthopedic Problems
Severe orthopedic problems can give rise to the destruction of nerves which can lead to paresthesia:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Disc herniation
- Osteoporosis
- Nerve compression or entrapment such as the issues of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fractured bones or an overly tight cast
- Dystrophic disc disease
Paresthesia Due to Neurological Problems
Given below are the neurological problems that can originate from this disease:
- Brain cancers
- Diabetic nerve injury
- Encephalitis (viral or bacterial infections that can lead to inflammation in the brain)
- Heavy metal poisonings such as lead and mercury
- Multiple sclerosis ( a serious disease that affects the sympathetic nervous system of the body)
- Tumors
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Venous malformation arteries
- Radicular neuropathy
What are the Symptoms of Paresthesia?
Paresthesia can affect any area or body part of a human being. Although the most affected areas of a person are the hands, arms, legs, and feet.
Some of the common symptoms of paresthesia are as follows:
- Weakness
- Tingling
- Burning
- Numbness
- Cold sensations
But if the person is suffering from a chronic case of paresthesia then they might feel like someone is constantly stabbing them. This might lead the person to feel like they have injured a limb which just gets worse. This can hinder your natural gait making walking a difficult task to achieve.
What are the Risks of Paresthesia?
It is important for people to learn that paresthesia is a disease that can happen to anyone, at any stage of life. Because the more the person ages the greater the risk of radiculopathy increases. A person is more prone to getting paresthesia due to the following risks:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Severe nutritional deficiencies such as reduced levels of vitamin B12 and folate
- A job that demands you to perform repetitive movements such as typing, playing an instrument, or playing a sport such as a game of tennis or a game of basketball
What are the Diagnostic Measures for Paresthesia?
First things first, you have to visit a doctor for this purpose. Be direct with them and tell them all about your medical history. Also, remember to tell them if you face any sort of repeated restriction when you move your hand during everyday activities. Make sure to also tell your doctor about medications that you have been using for any other ailment.
Doctors often look at the medical diagnosis or previous medical history to provide a diagnosis. In the case of diabetic patients, doctors are often suspecting any case of neuropathy or nerve damage.
Your doctor can also request a physical examination test to analyze your muscular movements. They might request some blood tests as well to assess the situation of the patient and some other routine lab procedures.
Some of the recommended tests for paresthesia are as follows:
- CT-Scans
- MRI scans
- X-rays
What are the Treatment Options for Paresthesia?
Some of the common and highly recommended treatment plans for paresthesia are as follows:
Braces / Splints
They are implanted to immobilize an individual so that the joint may remain intact. Furthermore, the numbness is also restricted to a specific area with this treatment.
Long-term Immobilization
Another treatment that is a sure way to cater to neck or spine fractures is long-term immobilization but it has its own complications. Paresthesia if left, untreated can become a major problem for neck rotation.
Medications
Doctors might also recommend some medications such as cortisone injections to prevent or tame the numbness that might happen during the herniated discs and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Exercise
Physical exercise is one of the best exercises to help alleviate the restricted muscles especially after or during paresthesia. Furthermore, doctors have also stretched on the importance of exercise for good physical health and overall well-being.
Surgical Procedures
Paresthesia and other sorts of medical problems can lead to nerve compression and severe nervous system issues. Surgery can also treat nerve entrapment, hence leading to an overall improvement in health and well-being.
Brain Tumor Management
One of the main neurological reasons for paresthesia is brain tumors. Some of the treatments for brain tumor-induced paresthesia are
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
Diabetes Management
Diabetes can also cause severe damage to the nerves. Therefore its management is also important for treating this disease. Doctors often recommend diet, exercise, and insulin therapy for this one.