Tingling Extremities

While not a common symptom of menopause, tingling extremities is an unsettling and unexpected symptom some women experience. This tingling can affect any part of the body though it commonly affects the feet, legs, arms, and hands. Tingling extremities during menopause are usually the result of fluctuations in hormones. Fortunately, most cases of tingling extremities during menopause do not indicate that something more serious is going on. Nonetheless, women who are experiencing tingling extremities and those who are curious about this menopausal symptom are wise to learn more about its causes and treatment.

Please continue reading to learn more about tingling extremities during menopause.

About Tingling Extremities

Tingling extremities, medically known as paresthesis, can occur at any time. In more mild cases, tingling extremities can come about after a certain body posture pinches a nerve or presses on an artery, causing a limb to temporarily "fall asleep." In these cases, the tingling extremities usually return to normal after compression is relieved.

Symptoms of Tingling Extremities • Changes in sensation • "Pins and needles" • Prickling or burning sensations • Numbness or reduced feeling • Increased sensitivity • Creepy crawling feeling

While tingling extremities are not usually cause for concern, these sensations can be a symptom of another condition. Please read on to learn more about the causes of tingling extremities.

Causes of Tingling Extremities

In most cases, tingling extremities experienced during menopause are the result of natural hormone fluctuations. Estrogen, one of the primary hormones in flux during menopause, has a complex effect on the central nervous system. When this hormone is thrown off balance during menopause, it can affect the nervous system, producing symptoms like tingling extremities.

While estrogen fluctuations are a prime cause of tingling extremities during menopause, other medical conditions can trigger tingling in the hands, feet, arms and legs.

Other Causes of Tingling Extremities • Nerve injury (from neck or lower back   injuries) • Spinal cord injury • Hyperventilation • Herniated disc • Vascular claudication, or lack of blood   supply to an area • Anxiety • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Diabetes • Migraines • Multiple Sclerosis • Stroke • Seizures • Thyroid problems • Electrolyte or vitamin   imbalances/deficiencies • Medication side effects • Toxin exposure

Please read on to discover when tingling extremities might warrant a trip to the doctor's office.

When to See a Doctor

While tingling extremities during menopause is not usually cause for alarm, there are some cases of tingling extremities for which medical attention is necessary.

Seek immediate medical attention if tingling extremities are accompanied by any of the following:

• Weakness or paralysis • Back, neck, or head injury • Inability to control the movement of an   arm or leg • Loss of bladder or bowel control • Loss of feeling or tingling on one side of   the body • Loss of consciousness • Slurred speech • Vision changes • Trouble walking

If you experience any other unexplained symptoms along with tingling extremities-such as increased urination, worsening of symptoms while walking, rash, muscle spasms, or pain-it is wise to seek medical help too.

Because most cases of tingling extremities in menopause do not require medical attention, it can be important for women to learn more about the treatment options available. Please read on to learn about the treatment of tingling extremities in menopause.

Treatment of Tingling Extremities

As with any menopause symptom, it is usually wise to begin with the least aggressive tingling extremity treatment and move on to the next method only if relief is not achieved.

In most cases, a combination of lifestyle changes and natural therapies is the most effective and safe approach to tingling extremities during menopause. A good, balanced diet, hydration, and adequate sleep are basic lifestyle measures that can help. A doctor can also recommend other changes that can help to ease tingling extremities. Using certain natural treatments can also help to get to the source of tingling extremities in menopause: hormonal imbalance. Please read the following article to learn more about treating tingling extremities.

Most experts recommend that women who suffer from tingling extremities and wish to treat it begin with lifestyle changes, then move onto alternative medicines (ideally combining the two) and finally, look to drugs or surgery if nothing else seems to work. Click the following link to learn specific treatments for tingling extremities in these three categories.

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