Waking up with pins and needles is not uncommon especially when you sleep in just one position. It can be a problem though when this doesn’t go away or if it persists throughout the day. Most of us just ignore this sensation or we just shake it off. After all, why bother? Unfortunately, this may actually be a symptom of an underlying condition that we are just ignoring until it becomes worse. You see, these aches and pains that we are feeling may be due to peripheral neuropathy and must not be dismissed so easily. Here are a few symptoms that you should know of.
Loss or weakness of coordination and balance
The motor nerves in your body are the ones responsible for the voluntary movement of your muscles such as when you are walking. When these nerves are damaged or are shot, it can lead to weakness and lack of coordination too which can make everyday chores difficult to do.
Lack of bladder control
Although this may not be a primary symptom of peripheral neuropathy, there are patients who suffer from this. The inability to control your bladder signifies that your nerves are not sending signals to the brain. This symptom will become marked as the disease goes on.
Gradual feeling of numbness
Another symptom that is related to peripheral neuropathy that you shouldn’t ignore is the feeling of numbness or that pins-and-needles sensation. It can start anywhere in your body and then spread to different areas such as your hands, legs, and feet. When you notice this sensation, it is important that you have yourself checked.
Have you ever felt pain in any parts of your body unexpectedly? It might be that your nerves are sending wrong information to your brain hence the surprising jolts of pain that you are feeling. These sharp pains often happen in the lower extremities. It also possible that you feel pain when there is normal stimuli.
Difficulty in sleeping
Those who are suffering from peripheral neuropathy often have difficulty sleeping as they become hypersensitive to touch especially in their legs. Your perception of sudden bursts of pain can heighten as you try to go to sleep. This makes it difficult to get a good night’s sleep especially when you are with someone who accidentally brushes up on your legs or feet.
Infections in your lower limbs
Since there is nerve damage already, infections can happen in your lower limbs. This is due to the fact that there is less blood flowing through your lower extremities that there is not enough nutrients getting there to help repair any damaged tissues or nerves. This is why patients with peripheral neuropathy often experience problems with their feet compared to those who don’t have this condition.