The occasional tingling sensation in your leg usually means nothing. Sometimes you’ve been sitting too long, or have had your leg in a certain position for quite a while. But if you are feeling tingling or numbness in your legs often—enough where it’s noticeable—then it might mean something more.
Numbness in legs is a major characteristic of poor blood circulation. In some cases, poor blood circulation can be mitigated by a pair of compression socks and a switch to your diet. In other cases, it’s more serious and needs to be treated before it leads to vein complications. Regardless, it’s important to stay updated and informed on blood circulation and what tingling legs could mean. Read on to find out!
No matter your lifestyle or condition, the number one cause for numbness legs is poor circulation. But what causes this leg numbness?
Poor circulation is when there is insufficient blood flow to certain areas of the body, like the legs and feet. Common causes of poor circulation include:
This is where plaque (made of cholesterol deposits) blocks your arteries and affects their ability to carry blood to the legs.
Also caused by plaque, this is when arteries harden up and cannot do their job. If untreated, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, or heart failure.
This is a complication that causes arteries to narrow and reduces blood flow; it’s especially common in legs.
Extra weight on the body puts a burden on the legs and can lead to circulation problems.
Diabetes affects blood circulation because it causes cramping in the legs and causes an increased risk for heart disease, which goes hand and hand with poor blood circulation.
Certain medical conditions, such as varicose veins, spider veins, or deep vein thrombosis, can also cause veins to become more visible.
Not sure if your leg numbness mean there’s something up with your circulation? Here are other common symptoms that indicate poor circulation:
If you are regularly experiencing tingling in your legs or any other poor circulation symptoms, visit a vein doctor so that you can determine how to treat it—before poor blood circulation leads to varicose veins and other vein complications.
Numbness in your lower legs can occur in your shins, calves, ankles, or feet. Usually, it is felt in your whole leg or below the knee. It is characterized by a tingling, numb feeling and can also feel like the sensation of pins and needles. It may be accompanied by cold feet or swelling. The tingling sensation can occur at any moment, although it often increases when sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Now that you know where numbness in legs might be coming from, the next step is to wonder how to fix it? Even if you have poor circulation, it’s never too late to turn it around. If you’re not sure how to stop numbness in legs and feet, our vein doctors have a few at-home tips to give you. Improve blood flow and circulations with these three things:
Not the most fashionable (but definitely helpful), compression socks work by gently compressing your legs to push blood flow upwards. This helps prevent swelling and even blood clots. Compression socks can be worn over specific problem areas as well so that you can target localized areas of poor circulation.
Exercise helps improve leg circulation by raising your heart rate. When your heart rate rises, blood gets pumped around your body faster, and it helps flush blood through your arteries—thus improving blood circulation.
No need to become a powerlifter or a professional runner. Even something as simple as a daily walk can help! You can also try yoga and swimming for low-impact exercises that improve blood circulation.
A healthy diet can make a difference in almost everything: mood, sleep, weight, immunity—even blood circulation. Fresh fruits and veggies are often rich in vitamin C, nitrate, antioxidants, and these all contribute to improved circulation. So next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to pick up foods like:
Additionally, certain proteins can help prevent things that contribute to poor circulation. For instance, eating fish is great for your health because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that consuming omega-3 can help keep your arteries free of cholesterol build-up, helping improve your chances of good blood circulation.
Are you experiencing tingling or numbness? Don’t put your health at risk—visit the Gilvydis Vein Clinic to go see a specialist.
We are known for our excellence in vein care and customer experience. At the Gilvydis Vein Clinic, you can rest assured that you’ll always get the highest-quality, individualized care with the best possible outcomes. Schedule your free screening today!
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.