There’s a medical name for the tingling, “pins and needles” sensation that sometimes occurs when you move after sitting in one place for too long. It’s called paresthesia, and a wide range of things can cause it. One cause of paresthesia is nerve damage due to nutritional deficiencies, especially in vitamin B-12.
Peripheral Neuropathy
In addition to tingling, peripheral neuropathy due to nutritional deficiency can cause pain and numbness in the hands and feet. Weakness, loss of sensation and lack of coordination are also seen in cases of peripheral neuropathy, according to the University of Chicago Center for Peripheral Neuropathy. If the cause of this condition goes uncorrected, the damage caused by peripheral neuropathy can become permanent.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Poor diet is not the only cause of nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies leading to peripheral neuropathy can be caused by alcoholism, complications from gastric surgery or a variety of malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease. Vitamins that affect the nervous system can become depleted, thus resulting in damage to nerve cells that conduct sensation. This can manifest as tingling in the hands and feet.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 deficiency is frequently discussed as the cause of peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin B-12 is necessary for keeping your red blood cells in adequate supply, and it also supports the nervous system. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, deficiency in vitamin B-12 can cause neurological symptoms such as memory loss, disorientation and dementia in addition to paresthesia. It is thought that vitamin B-12 deficiency damages an insulating layer of the nerve cell, called the myelin sheath, but the precise mechanism by which B-12 deficiency causes peripheral neuropathy is not fully understood.
Diagnosis and Treatment
According to the University of Chicago, diagnosis of peripherally neuropathy involves a neurological exam, electromyography, nerve conduction test and blood tests. Treatment may be simply to have the patient eat more B-12 rich foods such as red meat, poultry and eggs. In more severe cases, B-12 supplements may be given by injection or orally. Those with loss of sensation due to nerve damage must take extra precautions to avoid injury. If you suspect you may have a vitamin deficiency or are experiencing tingling in your hands and feet, consult your doctor.
