Feeling severe tingling in the legs when you get up from sitting or when you lie down at night, feeling like ants crawling on the soles of your feet or being pricked by needles, numbness in the feet to the point of not being able to feel the touch—this is a major health problem that bothers many people today. Scientifically speaking, this is a symptom of blockages in our nervous system or blood flow. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind numbness and tingling in the legs:
Diabetic Neuropathy: The most important scientific reason behind chronic numbness in the legs is diabetes. When the blood sugar level remains high for a long time, it severely damages the delicate nerves that go to the limbs and the blood vessels that supply them with blood. This is called diabetic neuropathy. This tingling and numbness usually starts in the feet.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Vitamin B12 is one of the most essential vitamins for the health of the nerves in our body and for the formation of the protective sheath around them, the myelin sheath. When the level of this vitamin decreases in the body, the signal transmission of the nerves is disrupted, causing chronic tingling and numbness in the feet and hands. This vitamin deficiency is more common in vegetarians.
Disc degeneration and nerve compression in the spine (Sciatica / Disc Herniation): When the disc between the vertebrae in the spine protrudes or becomes worn out (Slipped Disc), severe pressure is placed on the main nerves there. Especially when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the spine to the legs, is compressed, severe pain, numbness and tingling are felt from the hips to the thighs and feet.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): When plaque builds up in the blood vessels in the arms and legs and becomes narrowed or blocked, the flow of fresh blood to the legs decreases. Scientifically, this is called peripheral artery disease. Symptoms include severe pain in the leg muscles when walking and numbness in the legs when sitting.
Nerve Compression: When we sit in the same position for hours or when we cross our legs, there is temporary pressure on the nerves or blood vessels in the legs. This prevents the flow of oxygen to the cells, and when we stand up suddenly, we feel numbness and tingling in our legs.
