Paresthesia (paraesthesia in British) is a sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin with no apparent physical cause, more generally known as the feeling of pins and needles. Transient paresthesia is usually caused by inadvertent pressure on a superficial nerve, such as sitting in a position for an extended period of time, and disappears gradually as the pressure is relieved. Other kinds of paresthesia, however, can be chronic and painful, and can come from a wide variety of sources. The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... Model of the layers of human skin In zootomy and dermatology, skin is an organ of the integumentary system; which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. ... Jump to: navigation, search A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of nerve fibers or axons, which includes the glia that ensheath the axons in myelin. ...

Chronic paresthesia indicates a problem with the functioning of nerve cells, or neurons, in the central nervous system. This malfunction, which is especially common in older individuals, is often the result of poor circulation in the limbs, or may be caused by atherosclerosis—the build up of plaque on artery walls. Without a proper supply of blood and nutrients, nerve cells can no longer adequately send signals to the brain. Because of this, paresthesia is also a symptom of vitamin deficiency and malnutrition, as well as metabolic disorders like diabetes and hypothyroidism. Neurons (also spelled neurones or called nerve cells) are the primary cells of the nervous system. ... The Central Nervous System (CNS) represents the largest part of the Nervous System. ... The circulatory system or cardiovascular system is the organ system which circulates blood around the body of most animals. ... Section of an artery An artery or arterial is also a class of highway. ... Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are present in the blood and help carry oxygen to the rest of the cells in the body Blood is a circulating tissue composed of fluid plasma and cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). ... In the anatomy of animals, the brain, or encephalon, is the higher, supervisory center of the nervous system. ... Jump to: navigation, search A Vitamin is an organic molecule required by a living organism in minute amounts for normal health. ... Malnutrition is a general term for the medical condition in a person or animal caused by an unbalanced diet—either too little or too much food, or a diet missing one or more important nutrients. ... Jump to: navigation, search Santorio Santorio (1561-1636) in his steelyard balance, from Ars de statica medecina, first published 1614 Metabolism (from μεταβολισμος (metabolismos), the Greek word for change, or overthrow (Etymonline)), is the biochemical modification of chemical compounds in living organisms and cells. ... Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ... Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. ...

Irritation to the nerve can also come from inflammation to the surrounding tissue. Joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome are common sources of paresthesia. Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ... Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. ... Jump to: navigation, search Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist causing symptoms like tingling, pain, coldness, and sometimes weakness in parts of the hand. ...

Another cause of paresthesia, however, may be direct damage to the nerves themselves, or neuropathy, which can stem from injury or infection, or which may be indicative of a current neurological disorder. Chronic paresthesia can sometimes be symptomatic of serious conditions, such as a transient ischemic attack, a brain tumor, motor neurone disease, or autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis or lupus erythematosus. A diagnostic evaluation by a doctor is necessary to rule these out. Neuropathy is a disease of the peripheral or central nervous system. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems. ... Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are caused by temporary disturbance of blood supply to a restricted area of brain and cause recurrent and brief (less than 24 hours) neurologic dysfunctions. ... Jump to: navigation, search A brain tumour is any intracranial mass created by an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells either normally found in the brain itself: neurons, glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells), lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial nerves (myelin producing cells Schwann cells), in the brain... Motor neurone disease (MND) is a term used to cover a number of illnesses of the motor neurone: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS). ... Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. ...

Paresthesiae of the mouth, hands and feet are common, transient symptoms of the related conditions of hyperventilation syndrome and panic attacks. In medicine (psychiatry), hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) is an episodic disorder that often presents with chest pain and a tingling sensation of the fingertips (paresthesiae) and around the mouth, as well as deep and labored breathing (producing hyperventilation), although chronic but subtle hyperventilation can cause these symptoms too. ... A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. ...

Other known causes of paresthesia:

• Alcoholism
• Anticonvulsant drugs such as topiramate, sulthiame, and acetazolamide
• Dehydration
• Heavy metals
• Migraines
• Radiation poisoning

Jump to: navigation, search Polish propaganda poster saying: Stop drinking! Come with us and build a happy tomorrow. ... The anticonvulsants, sometimes also called antiepileptics, belong to a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in prevention of the occurrence of epileptic seizures. ... Jump to: navigation, search A drug is any substance that can be used to modify a chemical process or processes in the body, for example to treat an illness, relieve a symptom, enhance a performance or ability, or to alter states of mind. ... Topiramate (brand name: Topamax®) is an anticonvulsant drug produced by Ortho-McNeil. ... Acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox®, is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that is used to treat glaucoma, epileptic seizures, benign intracranial hypertension and altitude sickness. ... Jump to: navigation, search Dehydration is the removal of water (hydor in ancient Greek) from an object. ... For other meanings, see heavy metal The term heavy metal may have various more general or more specific meanings. ... Radiation poisoning, also called radiation sickness, is a form of damage to organic tissue due to excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. ...

External links

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders Paresthesia Information Page