Tingling in the legs, also known as legs falling asleep, is very unpleasant. Most people are familiar with this symptom especially if they have sat for a long time in a position that is uncomfortable for them just before. As a rule, the tingling disappears again when the sitting position has been changed. However, other reasons can also be behind the tingling in the legs.
What is tingling in the legs?
Medically, tingling in the legs is classified in the field of sensitivity and sensation disorders. Tingling itself represents a sensation that occurs only on the surface of the body. Medically, tingling in the legs is classified in the field of sensitivity and sensation disorders. Tingling itself represents a sensation that occurs only on the surface of the body. Tingling can be only unpleasant or painful. The sensation is mediated by the nerves and nerve endings located in the skin. The tingling sensation is then transmitted to the brain through the nerve pathways. Therefore, it is not surprising if increased nerve activity or sensitization is thought to be the cause of tingling in the legs. External stimuli, on the other hand, as known in many other sensory disorders, are of less importance in tingling in the legs.
Cause
Various causes are responsible for tingling in the legs. The simplest cause is still the “falling asleep” of the legs after an unfavorable sitting position. However, pressure damage and inflammation occurring in the spinal cord are also possible causes of tingling in the legs. A smoker’s leg, multiple sclerosis or a stroke can be further causes. As soon as the tingling in the legs does not subside on its own within a short time, a doctor should be consulted for clarification. If the tingling affects only one leg, a herniated disc could possibly be responsible. This is usually accompanied by severe pain and must be clarified by a specialist. If, on the other hand, tingling occurs in both feet, this could be an indication of polyneuropathy. In this case, the nerve pathways are diseased and can only pass on weak commands to the muscles. Triggers for neuropathies can be, among other things, medications or alcohol abuse, which thus also lead to tingling in the legs.
Diseases with this symptom
- Multiple sclerosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Stroke
- Restless legs syndrome (restless legs)
- Herniated disc
- Polyneuropathy
Diagnosis and course
For the correct diagnosis in case of tingling in the legs, the general practitioner is the first contact. He will examine the perception of the patient by means of various tests. Cold and heat stimuli are used as well as touch or examination of reactions to applied pressure. In particular, the sensation of vibration in the feet is examined in order to be able to recognize and treat possible consequential damage at an early stage if diabetes is present. However, the exact cause can hardly be determined from the tingling sensation in the legs alone. Therefore, other complaints of the patient are assessed for a correct diagnosis. These can include cramps, movement disorders and skin discoloration, as well as pain. It is also important that patients provide precise information about the time when the tingling in the legs occurs and whether certain situations precede it. Any accompanying symptoms that occur together with the tingling in the legs should also be stated.
Complications
Various complications are possible with tingling in the legs, and the trigger of the sensory disturbance is particularly crucial. Often, tingling in the legs is harmless and does not cause serious complications even without medical treatment. If the tingling in the legs is caused by a temporarily reduced blood supply or too much pressure on the nerves, for example when sitting for too long, the symptoms usually disappear quickly on their own. This is because the relief of the nerve and the normalization of the blood supply quickly dispel the tingling in the legs. If the tingling in the legs occurs regularly and develops into a chronic symptom, complications are possible.If there is an underlying disease, such as a disease of the nerves, this usually progresses without treatment. In the worst case, patients suffer paralysis of the affected leg and are then affected by considerable mobility restrictions. Tingling in the legs sometimes also results from a stroke, which is thus already indicated. Without therapy, patients are exposed to an acute danger to their lives. In addition, the probability of serious permanent damage, for example to motor and mental abilities, increases. However, such complications are also possible with treatment. For example, some individuals are left with paralysis or difficulty walking.
When should you see a doctor?
A doctor should be consulted if tingling in the legs occurs unexpectedly and no reason can be determined. The same applies if the tingling is very intense and lasts for a long period of time. A doctor should also be consulted if the tingling sensation is accompanied by the first feelings of numbness. Those affected usually take a magnesium preparation from the pharmacy or change their sleeping position at night. Since the symptom of tingling legs can also conceal other – sometimes life-threatening – conditions, self-treatment is not always advisable. Other alarm signs – in addition to the tingling sensation in the legs – are: persistent headaches, visual disturbances, dizziness, nausea as well as skin reactions. Tingling in the legs with accompanying numbness could also be a sign of a stroke. If other symptoms occur, the emergency call should be made immediately. In addition, the symptom should always be placed in the context of already existing diseases: In the case of diabetes, changes in the skin surface are typical and should be reported to the attending family doctor or diabetologist. Neurological disorders or damage to the skeleton as triggers of tingling can also lead to greater discomfort if left untreated. Due to this multitude of causes, it is advisable to consult a physician if symptoms exist. Above all, in order to increase one’s quality of life again and not to take any unnecessary risk.
Treatment and therapy
To properly treat tingling in the legs, it is necessary to know the causes. Then, the underlying disease (cause) should be treated first, which will ultimately improve the tingling in the legs. Medication is often the treatment of choice, and in some cases surgical measures are also used. These are particularly useful in the presence of tumors or herniated discs to eliminate the tingling in the legs. When administering medication, it is important to check how the patient tolerates it. Some medications trigger the tingling in the legs in the first place, so that the treatment here includes a change in the administration of the medication. If circulatory disorders are the cause of the tingling in the legs, the problem can be alleviated by increased exercise, which boosts circulation. In this case, abstaining from nicotine is also a sensible measure to treat the tingling in the legs. Special athletic exercises and posture training can additionally help to alleviate tingling in the legs.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, tingling in the legs occurs only for a short time and disappears on its own without causing further discomfort or limitation. Although the sensation can be very uncomfortable, the affected person must wait because the nerve has been pinched. After a few minutes, the tingling in the legs usually disappears. However, if the symptom lasts longer and occurs often, there may be a serious condition behind it. In many cases, the symptom occurs after a stroke and also leads to paralysis and thus to movement restrictions. The patient’s everyday life is severely burdened and made more difficult by the tingling in the legs. In some cases, walking aids are necessary to ensure existing mobility. After a stroke, walking impairments can occur in particular. The treatment itself depends on the cause. If the tingling in the legs occurs due to the consumption of cigarettes, the affected person must refrain from nicotine. Alcohol consumption must also be discontinued. In many cases, the symptom can only be treated to a limited extent and not completely. Physiotherapies and sporting exercises are the main methods used.
Prevention
If you want to prevent tingling in the legs from the outset, you should make sure to strengthen arm and leg muscles, back muscles and the entire body with special training measures. This then also has a positive effect on the nervous systems and blood circulation is also boosted. In addition, attention should be paid to a balanced diet and stress should be avoided as far as possible. Patients with diabetes should keep a particularly close eye on their blood sugar levels to avoid permanent vascular and nerve damage, which in turn could lead to tingling in the legs.
Here’s what you can do yourself
The most common causes of tingling in the legs are circulatory problems or nerve damage. Numbness caused by temporary lack of movement is harmless. They occur when a person has remained in the same position for a very long time. If a different position is assumed, the tingling disappears again. If diseases are the trigger, these must be fought. If the tingling occurs on one side, the doctor should always be consulted. It could indicate a stroke. Caution is especially advised if the tingling is accompanied by visual disturbances, headaches and balance problems. A stroke is an emergency and under requires immediate treatment in a hospital. Diseases in the spine can also radiate and cause numbness. These complaints are typical of herniated discs, which always require specialist treatment. Acute problems caused by circulatory disorders can sometimes be relieved with exercise. Not infrequently, the cause lies in the peripheral nervous system and the numbness is produced by a polyneuropathy. In this case, the neurologist is the right person to contact. Metabolic diseases such as diabetes also often lead to impaired nerve and vascular function. Skin diseases and nerve infections can produce the same complaints and must be treated by a specialist. More rarely, alcohol abuse or poisoning causes these symptoms. Medications can also have these side effects. To initiate therapy, the cause must be found out.
