Numbness and tingling are unusual prickling sensations that can happen in any part of the body. Many individuals experience these sensations in hands, feet, arms, and legs. Many things can cause numbness and tingling, including sitting with your legs crossed or falling asleep on your arm.

We’ve all experienced that tingling sensation in our hands and legs and we can say it’s quite unpleasant and uncomfortable. Numbness and the feeling that your arms and legs have fallen asleep is also quite common and the fact is that you can never know when it’ll happen.

Why do we feel this way and what’s causing it?

It’s not just the arms and legs, our fingers, feet, hands and toes have the habit of falling asleep and nobody seems to know why this happens. There could be a number of reasons why you feel this way and finding out the reason is the first step towards preventing it.

• Staying in one position for extended period of time. It could be that you’re standing for too long or sitting for too long, maybe you’re keeping your legs crossed too much or your hands. This usually happens at work or when you travel.
• Injured nerve. This is the most common cause of numbness and tingling in your extremities. If your arms and hands are numb or tingly you might have an injured nerve in the neck while if your legs and feet are affected it can be due to an injured nerve in the lower back.
• Pressure on the spinal or peripheral nerves.
• Poor circulation because of inflamed blood vessels, atherosclerosis or blood clots.
• Allergies to shellfish 
• Irregular potassium, calcium or sodium levels.
• Lack of Vitamin B12 
• Reactions from certain medications.
• Too much alcohol and tobacco consumption and lead exposure can lead to nerve damage.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Diabetes
• Poor thyroid functions (hypothyroidism)
• Stroke or ischemic attack

What can you do to prevent and alleviate this condition?
There are certain lifestyle changes you can implement and certain natural remedies which can help you with this condition.

Water
This is the excellent way to wake up your sleepy legs or hands. This is a quick fix and can be implemented when you start feeling the tingling or numbness. Just soak your feet or hands in cold water and wait for 10 minutes or until you feel the numbness is gone. Someone tries to move the fingers and toes forcefully and it can be effective sometimes.

Walking
Take a short walk around the room when you start to feel that tingling coming on. You might have to stand still for a few minutes if you’re experiencing spasms in one of your legs, but moving around is a pretty effective way to wake up your limbs, particularly if you’ve been sitting still for a long time.

Standing on your tiptoes
This is very helpful when it comes to sleeping legs. Stand on tiptoe as if you were a dancer, and then lower your heels to the floor. Repeat this 10 times to stimulate circulation in your lower extremities. If your legs and feet tend to fall asleep a lot, do this exercise every evening before you go to bed so you don’t wind up with numbness while you sleep.

Avoid some foods and drinks
Consumption of coffee or alcohol during and after dinner is not recommended. Nor is eating heavy foods in the evening.

Consume more iron-rich food
The tingling or numbness can be caused by of iron deficiency in your organism. Start eating mote green leafy veggies, lentils and beets which can help you reduce the recurrence of this sensation. Also try to eat more eggs, milk, nuts, beans and peas. They are healthy and nutritious and can help you with this condition.

Hot peppers compress
Take a dozen red chili peppers and cook them on high heat. When they’re cooked press them in a cloth and apply this cloth on the affected area. They are spicy and hot and will alleviate the pain and discomfort. If you’re experiencing this on a regular basis have this remedy prepared beforehand just heat it up when it strikes.

Massage and change positions often
Massage is very helpful in this situation. Start massaging or rubbing the area where you feel the discomfort once it starts setting in or do it beforehand in order to improve the blood flow. Another thing you could do is change position quite often. If you’re sitting or lying down get up and start walking, if you’re standing sit down and so on.

Wear comfortable shoes and socks
Wear cotton or wool socks and change them every 8 hours. They absorb moisture better and prevent tingling. Wear comfy leather or fabric shoes, with adequate arch support. Wear inserts for better support and try to avoid high heels or uncomfortable shoes.

Regular exercise
If you’re experiencing tingling while you’re at home or if your legs fall asleep, stand bare foot with your back against the wall. Press your fingers and palms against the wall and bend your knees slightly. 

In your office at work, take a rubber ball in the palm of your hand and push as hard as you can. There are accessories made exactly for this kind of exercise. You can do the same exercise for the legs and feet by pushing the rubber ball toward the ground with the soles of your feet.

All in all you need to start leading a healthier lifestyle, eat healthier, exercise more and drink a lot of water. Keep this way of life and it will reduce the tingling and numbness significantly.

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