Health Tip: Pins And Needles That Won't Go Away

(HealthDay News) -- Frequent paresthesias -- or a sense of numbness, tingling and prickling felt along the extremities -- may be more than just an annoyance. It could indicate a serious medical condition that requires a doctor''s intervention.

Everyone''s foot or hand "falls asleep" now and then. But when the sensation becomes frequent, it could indicate nerve damage, lack of blood supply to an area, diabetes, hypothyroidism, pressure on the nerves caused by a tumor, a stroke, or migraine, the University of Maryland Medical Center says.

The underlying cause of frequent paresthesias should be treated after a professional consultation.

-- Kimberly Sferruzzo

Last Updated: Dec. 14, 2005