Surely everyone had to experience an unpleasant sensation of tingling in the legs. What is the cause of this phenomenon and is it considered hazardous to health?
Causes of tingling legs
In science, there is no such thing as “sit out a leg”. Instead, more specific terminology is used - numbness of the limb. And when a person notes poor sensitivity, for example, in the leg, and the accompanying tingling, then doctors say there is paresthesia.
Such sensations are a completely natural reaction of the body and, as a rule, are temporary. The thing is that when a person is in an uncomfortable position for a long time, or pressure is applied to a certain part of the body, circulatory disturbance occurs. Many blood vessels pass through the leg. They, in turn, contain nerve endings.
When a limb is somehow squeezed, the corresponding processes also occur with vessels, nerves. They have special receptors that instantly respond to the absence or lack of oxygen. Without oxygen, the work of nerve endings stops - they fall into a kind of "sleep mode". At this moment, a person ceases to feel a limb, touching it. In this case, complete or partial numbness may be observed.
A striking example of this phenomenon is paresthesia of the hand, which was in the wrong position during sleep.It will take several seconds before sensitivity returns to it. Until that moment, it seems incredibly heavy and uncontrollable.
As soon as the cause of numbness disappears, sensitivity returns to the limb in the form of a not very pleasant sensation - tingling. This effect is due to the same nerve receptors. When blood circulation returns to its natural state, oxygen is again supplied in sufficient quantities. In this case, the brain receives signals to a numb limb. Tingling itself is a reaction of receptors. As soon as the connection between the control center (brain) and nerve endings is established, a tingling sensation passes.
Other causes of tingling limbs
In medicine, there are two types of tingling with paresthesia:
- physiological;
- pathological.
Physiological include tingling, which occurs due to a prolonged stay in one position, uncomfortable (too small) shoes, injuries, smoking, dehydration, hypothermia. Each of the mentioned factors has its consequences.
Interesting fact: surely everyone had to freeze at least once so much that the fingers or toes first lose their sensitivity and then begin to hurt. This is because, due to low temperature, blood vessels narrow. When the fingers begin to heat up too sharply, the vessels expand rapidly. Therefore, in the event of freezing, you should not dip your hands or feet in hot water.Quickly get rid of the discomfort will help cool water.
Pathological factors include various diseases, for example, allergies, diabetes, problems with the spine and many others. In this case, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system and its departments occur. It is worth noting that if the cause of tingling is not known reliably, the sensation appears often or does not go away for a long time - this reason to see a doctor.
Numbness may seem like a harmless phenomenon, as everyone had to experience it repeatedly. However, it can pose a serious threat. Studies show that frequent circulatory disorders can cause problems with blood vessels. And this is already fraught with thrombosis, which is especially characteristic of the lower extremities.
If the leg is in one position for a long time or under pressure, its numbness is felt. This occurs as a result of circulatory disorders. Many nerve receptors stop receiving oxygen and stop their work. When the source of numbness disappears, the leg is in motion, the brain sends signals to nerve receptors. For several seconds, the person feels a tingling sensation in the limb. When the connection between the brain and nerve endings is established, the tingling disappears.
