Imagine your hands and feet as important helpers in your daily activities, like typing or washing dishes. But sometimes, they might send strange feelings like tingling or even a loss of sensation. Have you ever felt like tiny pins are pricking your feet when you sit in a certain way for a while? Or when you sleep with your arm tucked under your head? It’s quite common.
Numbness in hands and feet also known as paresthesia. It is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. It can be a temporary or chronic condition In some cases numbness in the hands and feet may be a sign of a more serious medical condition like diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or multiple sclerosis. However in many cases, it is caused by less serious factors like poor circulation, repetitive stress injuries or vitamin deficiencies.
Why Do My Hands and Feet Feel Weird?
If you’ve ever wondered why this happens, it’s like a stop sign on the way between the blood and the messages in your body. When something goes wrong at this stop, it can make your hands and feet feel strange.
Symptoms
The symptoms of numbness in hands and feet are given below:
- Tingling
- Prickling
- Burning
- Loss of sensation
- Weakness
- Pain
Causes: What Makes Numbness Happen?
1. When a Nerve Gets Pinched
Think of a pinched nerve like a message getting stuck. If your back has a problem, it can press too hard on the nerves that go down to your legs, making your feet feel numb. Or if the nerve in your wrist gets squeezed, it can make your hands and fingers not feel things as well. Doctors call this “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.”
2. Sitting and Standing the Wrong Way
Sitting with your legs crossed for too long, especially during a period, or wearing tight clothes can make your hands and feet go numb. It’s like your body is telling you to change positions!
3. Missing Some Special Vitamins
Surprisingly, not having enough of certain vitamins can make your limbs feel strange. Vitamins like B-12, B-6, B-1, and E help your nerves work properly. If they’re missing, your hands and feet might not feel right. You can get these vitamins from healthy food or supplements.
4. Feeling Worried or Nervous
Believe it or not, feeling very anxious can also affect your hands and feet. When you breathe too quickly because of anxiety, it can make your hands and feet feel weird. It’s like a seesaw of air in your body!
5. Numbness During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings so much joy, but it can also bring some discomfort. As the baby grows, it puts extra pressure on the nerves in your legs and feet, making them feel strange. But you do not need to worry because we can fix it.
6. Watch Out for Harmful Stuff
If you accidentally swallow or touch harmful things like mercury, antifreeze, arsenic, or thallium, it can make your hands and feet even more tingly. So, always be careful around these things!
How to Fix It?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent numbness in your hands and feet:
Good circulation: This includes exercising regularly and avoiding tight clothing or shoes.
Avoid repetitive stress injuries: If you have a job that requires you to perform repetitive motions, take breaks throughout the day to stretch and rest.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet will help ensure that you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Medical conditions: If you have a disease like diabetes or peripheral artery disease then it is important to manage it carefully to reduce your risk of complications.
Taking Care of Numbness
If your hands and feet sometimes feel numb, don’t worry too much. It’s common and usually not serious. But if it happens a lot, it’s good to figure out why. By understanding these reasons, you can take steps to feel better and keep your hands and feet happy!
