What causes tingling, prickling, lack of sensation, pain, muscle weakness and numbness in hands, feet or other parts of the body?
Damage to the nerves connecting your spinal cord and brain to other parts of your body causes symptoms such as tingling and numbness, lack of sensation, pain, and muscle weakness that begins in the hands or feet and may spread through the limbs. In essence, this is due to pressure on nerves or the blood vessels that supply the nerves.
Sometimes this occurs after you've been in an awkward position, like sitting cross-legged, or sitting on a chair (office or on an airplane) for long hours, or wearing tight shoes, or may be the sign of a trapped nerve as a result of slipped disc or back problem putting pressure on a nerve that travels from your back, down your leg and into your toes. This kind of nerve damage can involve a single nerve or it can involve damage to two or more nerves. Your doctor will determine which type is responsible for your symptoms.
Occasionally this may be the sign of a serious underlying problem, such as or diabetes, or a reaction to drugs or chemicals, viral and bacterial infections, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, or inherited conditions.
But by far, most often this is caused by vitamin deficiencies, in particular: B12:
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among elderly people, vegans and people with a condition called pernicious anemia (inability of B12 from being absorbed in the body) which can cause this type of nerve damage.
B vitamins like folate (B9), B6, and B12 are all related to the peripheral nerves and where they end in the skin, and deficiency of these B vitamins often produce symptoms of tingling, prickling, muscle weakness and numbness combined with anxiety, depression, anemia, fatigue, and hormone imbalances.
How you can increase consumption of B vitamins? Eat more asparagus, avocados, beans (black and kidney), broccoli, clams, crab, eggs, fish, lentils, mushrooms, mussels, nuts (such as almonds and pecans), octopus, oysters, root beets, salmon, and of course, spinach.
Why not have a delicious “Spinach, Mushroom, Salmon Omelet”? It is very tasty and full of B12 vitamins (among many others) – a hearty and healthy breakfast or brunch with a slice of whole wheat bread:
Ingredients: 1 whole egg, 3 egg whites, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ chopped garlic, ½ teaspoon coconut oil, ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms, ¼ cup diced green onions, 1 cup fresh spinach (wash thoroughly and then dry), ½ cup diced fresh tomatoes, ¼ cup diced parsley, ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese.
Directions:
Beat the eggs in a small bowl, then mix with the cheese, sea salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice.
Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add mushrooms, salmon, green onions, and cook for 3 minutes. Then add the contents of the small bowl and add spinach on the top. Cook for another 5-8 minutes or until the eggs are completely cooked and serve immediately. Enjoy.
