You know, when it gets all tingly and you can’t feel it right >_>
In: Biology
A lack of blood flow. When blood begins returning, nerves start firing off saying there is a problem (low blood flow), and you get the pins and needles.
I think this is a good opportunity for me to talk about this because I accidentally gave myself this a couple weeks ago, possibly permanently.
It’s a common belief that this is caused by lack of bloodflow, but this is not the case. Instead, the pressure that part of your body is under literally mechanically compresses the nerve. Usually this is temporary. Sometimes, however, extended compression can cause damage to the nerve and make this last far longer.
The damage can usually occur in one of two ways.
In general nerves are coated with a layer of fat called myelin. This layer helps with signal transduction. If you damage this sheath substantially, the symptoms will be extended but will usually be repaired by your body in a few weeks.
Alternatively, the compression can be severe enough to cause damage to the underlying nerve cell itself. This is called axonal damage, and its effects are usually permanent (or take years to improve).
***
As for what I did — slept really weird and woke up with numbness and weird tingling etc. Some investigation and I’m 99% certain I’ve given myself radial neuropathy. Luckily this means the main effect is just sensation on the back of my hand and not anything motor, but I still hope it resolves.
Careful how you sleep!
Latest Answers