Numb Or Tingly Extremities

Numb or tingly legs, in particular, are sometimes signs of Peripheral Arterial Disease. Also called Peripheral Vascular Disease a serious circulatory problem that affects arteries other than in the heart and brain. It is caused by a build up of fatty plaque in the legs, much like the fat deposits seen in the heart in Coronary Artery Disease or the brain in Cerebrovascular Disease. And like people with Cerebrovascular Disease, people with Peripheral Arterial Disease are at very increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Some other Peripheral Arterial Disease signs are leg cramps when walking and coldness in the extremeties. Having diabetes increases the risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease. And because diabetes itself can lead to heart disease, stroke, and decreased circulation in the legs and feet, having both Peripheral Arterial Disease and diabetes raises the risk of these complications as well as foot and leg amputations.

Numbness and tingling in the arms or legs can also be early warning signs of Peripheral Neuropathy, a damage to the  peripheral nervous system, the nerves that transit sensory signals to and from the brain and spinal cord. As Peripheral Neuropathy progresses, feeling in the arms, fingers. legs, and toes diminishes, increasing the risk of infections, wounds that do not heal, and consequent amputations. Uncontrolled diabetes is a leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the United States.

A physical injury, an autoimmune disorder, or a bacterial or viral infection such as shingles, Lyme Disease (a bacterial infection transmitted by deer ticks), or HIV / AIDS can also cause nerve damage. Peripheral Neuropathy related numbness and tingling can signal a whole host of systemic disorders ranging from vitamin deficiencies to kidney disease, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, alcohol addiction, and benign or cancerous tumors. It can also be a reaction to some of the drugs used to treat cancer.

Numb or tingly arms or legs can signal Hyperaldosteronism, an excess of the hormone aldosterone, which is made by the adrenal glands and helps maintain the salt and water balance in your body. Besides leading to numbness ang tingliness, too much aldosterone can cause you to retain sodium and lose potassium, resulting in frequent urination, muscle weakness or cramps, and high blood pressure. Hyperaldosteronism itself can signal an adrenal tumor known as Conn's Syndrome. The good news is that this tumor is noncancerous in 95% of cases.

Lastly, tingliness particularly in the legs is one of the earliest signs of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a potentially life threatening disorder. This progressive and sometimes rapid onset disease causes the body's immune system to attack the peripheral nervous system, leading to paralysis. Guillain-Barre Syndrome can occur after a viral infection, surgery, or trauma, or as a reaction to an immunization.

About 75% of people with peripheral artery disease do not have any signs, so the condition goes undiagnosed. And women are less likely than men to have Peripheral
Arterial Disease signs.