Paresthesia is a numbness or tingling feeling that most often occurs in the hands, arms, feet and legs. Ascending paresthesia means that numbness or tingling starts in your lower extremities and travels up your body. Numbness and tingling that occurs during or after exercise might be related to too much pressure being placed on a nerve, which disappears a few minutes after the pressure is released. Certain types of ascending pareshesia might be related to peripheral neuropathy and various medical conditions.
Causes
Causes of short-term paresthesia that might be related to exercise include obdormition -- or excess and prolonged pressure being placed on a nerve -- that may occur when you stay in one position too long or allow a heavy piece of exercise equipment to rest on an extremity. Paresthesia can also be caused by dehydration or an insufficient blood supply that may occur in athersclerotic lower extremities. Paresthesia caused by exercise should go away in a few minutes, when you stop exercising and the cause is rectified.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a more serious cause of paresthesia because it is related to numerous medical conditions and is directly related to nerve damage. In addition to various illnesses and medical conditions, peripheral neuropathy can be caused by injuries, exposure to toxins, alcoholism and vitamin deficiencies. According to MayoClinic.com, one of the classic symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is ascending pareshesia, or numbness and tingling that starts in your feet or hands and moves up to your legs and arms. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms may eventually improve, especially if the cause of the condition is identified and treated.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmine illness in which your immune system attacks your nerves, leading to muscle weakness and possible paralysis. Guillain-Barre syndrome often causes ascending paresthesia as tingling sensations may begin in your lower extremities and spread to your upper body. The paresthesia may initially be attributed to exercise as it is mild at first, then becomes more intense. With Guillain-Barre syndrome, your paresthesia will be associated with activities in addition to exercise.
Warning
If you experience ascending paresthesia, see a doctor. The cause might be related to exercise but medical cause might also exist that requires prompt treatment. This is particularly the case if paresthesia is consistent and doesn't disappear in a few minutes after you stop exercising. Only a doctor can specifically say the paresthesia is caused by exercise.
