Fingering and numbness in the feet is a major health problem that bothers many and keeps them awake at night. Scientifically, it is called Paresthesia. The body shows these symptoms when the blood flow to the feet decreases or when the nerves that carry messages to the cells in the feet become weak or pressured. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind this:
Diabetic Neuropathy: The most important scientific reason behind chronic foot numbness is uncontrolled diabetes. When the glucose level in the blood remains high for a long time, it destroys the delicate nerves and blood vessels that go to the extremities of the feet from the inside. This causes severe tingling in the feet, numbness, and a condition where you don’t even notice when you take off your shoes.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of our nervous system and for the formation of the myelin sheath that protects and covers our nerves. When vitamin B12 is low in the body, the nerves become damaged (Peripheral Neuropathy), which causes tingling and weakness in the legs.
Disc Defects in the Spine (Sciatica / Disc Prolapse): This is a condition in which severe tingling starts from the middle and spreads to the legs. When the disc between the vertebrae in our spine bulges out (Herniated Disc) or becomes worn out, it presses on the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body that goes to the legs. This is sciatica. This causes tingling and pain in the legs, like a strong electric shock, while sitting and walking.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): This is a condition in which the arteries in the legs become narrowed due to the accumulation of fat (cholesterol) in them. Due to this, not enough oxygen-rich blood reaches the muscles and nerves in the legs. The main scientific symptom of this is that the black leg muscles experience severe pain and tingling even after walking a short distance, which goes away after resting for a while.
Sitting in the same position and temporary pressure on the nerves: Sitting with your feet crossed for hours, sitting or standing in the same position for a long time, temporarily stops the blood flow to the nerves in the legs and the nerves become numb. This is what we commonly call ‘falling asleep’. This usually goes away immediately when you get up and walk around.
