Tingling in the feet and hands? It can be a symptom of any of these four diseases

If you are one of those individuals who usually crosses their legs when they are sitting, prefers to sit over one foot or are accustomed to having someone sit on your lap for long periods of time, you have probably experienced the sensation of the “sleeping foot.”

This sensation of the foot falling asleep consists of that part of your body is not reacting when you try to move it, there is no “feeling” in it, but within a few seconds of trying to move it – or, “wake it up” –  you start to feel a tickle and almost immediately an “invasion” of ants that run through that part.

We’ve all been there, right?
This sensation is logical and it is caused by reduction of the circulation of the blood flow, to your foot (in the case above). However when this sensation of tingling in your hands or feet is continuous and without some obstruction of circulation, like when crossing your legs or sitting on your foot, you should pay special attention to it since it can be a symptom of some something serious, including one of many diseases. Below are some diseases/ailments whose symptoms include those we just described:

  Diabetic neuropathy
This affects people with diabetes and is caused by the nerves in the body, due to decreased blood flow and a high level of sugar. The symptoms tingling sensation, and a “burning” or deep pain both in the toes and feet themselves. If this is not taken care of in time, it can also affect the fingers and hands. Failure to pay attention to and take care of this problem can lead to loss of sensation in your hands and feet, and left unable to feel cuts, pickets or high and low temperatures.

Buerger’s disease
Symptoms consists of inflammation and swelling in the blood vessels of the feet and hands, which become inflamed and cause reduced blood flow, contributing to the obstruction of the vessels. This is also known as obliterating thromboangitis and can appear after age 35. It can cause open sores on the toes or hands; inflamed veins, pain in the hands and feet or in the legs and arms; tingling or pallor in the toes or hands in very cold environments, as well as damage to tissues if not treated and/or controlled in time (i.e., gangrene).

Hypoaesthesia
This condition is the result usually of nerve-related origin, consists of the decrease of the thermal sensitivity (not perceiving the very high or very low temperatures), pain (not feeling pain when pricking with something sharp, opening the skin) or the deep sensitivity. Hypoaesthesia may sometimes appear as a symptom of diabetes or plaque sclerosis. Treatment depends on its origin, as there are cases in which it is irreversible, and in fact may consist of dietary supplements, physical and electrical therapy.

Multiple sclerosis
This is an autoimmune disease (when the immune system attacks and mistakenly destroys healthy body tissue) which affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). It affects women more often than men. Although it can appear at any stage of life, it has been diagnosed more consistently between the ages of 20 and 40. Symptoms may include and affect: muscular (loss of balance, numbness, muscle spasms), bladder and bowel movements (constipation, leakage of feces, difficulty urinating), ocular (double vision, discomfort in the eyes, loss of vision), numbness, tingling or pain, among others.
The reasons for the aforementioned conditions can be diverse: a nerve injury, nerves/stress, lack of vitamin B12, consumption of alcoholic beverages, tobacco (smoked or chewed), abnormal levels of calcium, potassium or sodium, and even the bite of some animal or insect (ticks, mites and spiders). Most importantly, always be aware of any abnormalities in your body so you can do something on time and live a healthier, longer life.