Numbness of the feet is a much more common condition than is believed and is characterized by the manifestation of abnormal sensations in the lower extremities that begin with a kind of tingling and progress until the foot becomes numb and difficult to move normally. This condition that we have just described is known medically by the name paresthesia, and although it can occur in any part of the body, it is more common in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
Paresthesia, or a feeling of numbness in the feet, can be caused by something as simple as keeping the limb in the wrong position for a long time. Still, it is also a symptom associated with certain diseases. If you are suffering from this discomfort, we invite you to continue reading this FastlyHealarticle, where we answer a general question among people: why do my feet fall asleep?
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Why do my feet fall asleep?
Paresthesia in the feet is much more typical than is believed. It occurs when the foot remains in the wrong position for a long time, thus preventing the blood from circulating correctly, causing tingling and cramping sensations: numbness and numbness. In general, once the person is aware of the discomfort and begins to give the foot mobility, the paresthesia passes, and everything returns to normal.
In other more complex cases, paresthesia or numbness of the feet is accompanied by different symptoms. For example, some people claim to feel pain, electricity, heat, punctures, whipping, and even stop feeling the limb completely. It is essential to go to the doctor for a thorough check-up that offers a specific diagnosis in this scenario.
When paresthesia is not due to poor posture, why do your feet go to sleep? Find out below the conditions that are associated with this symptom.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Paresthesias in the feet are an essential sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. This substance is responsible for forming red blood cells found in the blood and carrying oxygen throughout the body. For this reason, when these cells decrease affects correct body oxygenation. In addition, vitamin B12 regulates the functioning of the nervous system, metabolizes proteins, and intervenes in the proper absorption of iron, calcium, and other vitamins such as vitamin A.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are as follows:
- Numbness of the limbs.
- Tiredness and lack of energy.
- Constipation.
- Difficult to focus.
- Chronic fatigue
When a person has vitamin B12 deficiency, they should attend the doctor so that the specialist can decide if it is necessary to take a supplement or balance the levels by increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamin B12, such as red meat, beets, tree tomato, eggs, chicken, fish, and mushrooms.
Fluid retention
A sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, and eating a diet rich in fat and cholesterol can significantly affect kidney function and cause fluid retention. This occurs when the body cannot balance the passage of fluids from one place to another, causing them to accumulate in the tissues. In addition to being one of the causes of why the feet fall asleep, this symptom is also discomfort associated with other diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Medical treatment is essential to treat the cause that is causing the fluid retention and changes in lifestyle, physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate consumption of foods with potassium. Keeping your feet up is advisable to stimulate blood circulation and prevent your feet from swelling and falling asleep.
Circulatory problems
Incorrect blood flow is one of the most common causes of foot numbness. Blood is expelled from the heart to travel throughout the body and return through the veins. When a person has narrow arteries or dilated veins, the blood flow is compromised. It cannot carry out its entire journey correctly, bringing numbness of the feet accompanied by inflammation as one of many consequences.
Varicose veins or dilated veins are hereditary, but the narrowing of the arteries is a condition that we can avoid by reducing high levels of cholesterol in the blood, doing physical activity, eating healthy, and reducing the consumption of foods rich in fat. Circulatory problems represent a risk factor for heart disease.
Neurological disorders
Any condition related to the functioning of the brain and nervous system can cause paresthesia in the feet. Any damage, injury, or compression that a nerve presents will immediately affect the extremities, causing abnormal sensations or decreasing their success. Traumatic injuries, spinal nerve damage, spinal disc displacement, cervical injuries, and ischemic accidents can significantly affect the body’s nerves and cause paresthesia.
Peripheral neuropathy
This disease is one of the most common and feared consequences of diabetes. The peripheral nerves are those responsible for sending information and signals to and from the brain and to and from the spinal cord. When these nerves stop working correctly, it is called peripheral neuropathy, which can occur in one or more nerves simultaneously.
Anyone can have peripheral neuropathy. There is even a type of this disease that is inherited. However, people with diabetes are at the most significant risk of developing this disease because long-term high blood sugar levels progressively deteriorate the functioning of the body’s nerves. The main symptoms of this condition include pain and numbness in the extremities. Often the person feels tingling and numbness that begins in the toes and can spread to the legs. A person with this disease can lose sensation in the extremities to not feel when a needle sticks to the skin.
Other causes of why feet fall asleep
- Abnormal sodium or calcium levels.
- Sciatic nerve injury.
- Foot injuries.
- Alcoholism.
- Stroke
- Nerve damage due to smoking.
- Medicines or radiotherapy.
- Insect bites.
- Toxins are present in shellfish.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.