Tingling extremities can be a worrying and annoying condition to live with. The best way of dealing with this symptom, which often occurs during menopause, is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. Keep reading to discover the four most frequently asked questions about tingling extremities, including what causes it and what you can do to relieve it.
What Causes Tingling Extremities?
You can experience tingling extremities - medically termed paresthesia - at any stage of your life. There are a variety of causes for this, and the most common one is lack of movement. Maintaining the same position for an extended period of time, especially if you have arms or legs crossed, can place pressure upon nerves and blood vessels, resulting in tingling once you begin moving again. Tight clothing can also cause tingling extremities if it restricts the blood flow to your hands and feet.
Tingling extremities can also appear during times of hormonal imbalance, such as menopause, when the body's production of estrogen is disrupted. The hormone estrogen has a huge role in regulation the central nervous system, so any shifts in hormone levels can lead to tingling extremities.
In addition, many conditions like high cholesterol levels, infections, vitamin deficiency, and migraines can also cause tingling extremities.
What Are the Symptoms of Tingling Extremities?
One of the most common accompanying symptoms of tingling extremities is to experience numbness in them, as well. You could also find yourself suffering from weakness in your muscles, pain, slurred speech, confusion, a rash, dizziness, or loss of muscle control. If you suffer from any of these symptoms alongside tingling and numbness, then you should consult a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.
What Can I Do to Relieve Symptoms?
There are some lifestyle changes that you can make to help relieve the symptoms of tingling extremities. Make sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, keep a healthy carbohydrate to protein ratio - of about 50% carbs, 30% protein, and 20% fat - and avoid saturated animal fats. At the same time, exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week. Other small changes that can contribute to reducing the severity and frequency of tingling extremities include massaging your extremities, applying hot compresses, and maintaining good posture. Taking supplements such as Macafem can get to the root of the problem if your tingling extremities are caused by unbalanced hormones.
Are Tingling Extremities Serious?
Many women who suffer from tingling in their limbs worry that it could be a serious condition. By themselves, tingling extremities are considered harmless, but sometimes they can act as an alert sign of a more serious, underlying, condition. If you have any concerns or doubts about your symptoms, then you should consult with a medical practitioner.
Tingling extremities are something that most people suffer from at least once over the course of their lives. Fortunately, there are things you can do to banish this symptom. Discovering why tingling extremities happen, how to identify the symptom, and what you can do to relieve it will help you cope with it when it does strike. Read about exercises to reduce tingling extremities.
Sources
- Heller, J.L. (2011). Numbness and Tingling: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 10, 2013 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003206.htm
- National Health Service. (2012). How to sit correctly. Retrieved September 10, 2013 from http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/workplacehealth/Pages/howtositcorrectly.aspx
- US Office on Women's Health. (2010). Menopause Symptom Relief: Dealing with specific symptoms. Retrieved September 10, 2013 from http://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/symptom-relief-treatment/index.html#b