Evie Summers
When a person's leg falls asleep, it is usually due to remaining in one position for an extended period. This causes sustained pressure on the nerves in the legs, which interferes with their ability to communicate with the brain. This phenomenon is known as paresthesia and is characterised by numbness, a pins-and-needles sensation, burning, skin crawling, and tingling. While paresthesia is typically harmless and temporary, it can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, or diabetic neuropathy. If paresthesia is accompanied by permanent changes in the colour, shape, or temperature of the legs, it is important to seek medical advice.
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What You'll Learn
Temporary numbness is usually caused by posture
Temporary numbness in the legs is usually caused by posture. This is often referred to as paresthesia. It happens when sustained pressure is put on one or more nerves travelling into the legs, which can be caused by sitting in one position for too long, crossing your legs, or even just sitting cross-legged. This pressure prevents the nerves in your legs from communicating with your brain, resulting in numbness in the affected limb. Paresthesia can also be accompanied by a tingling or "pins and needles" sensation, as well as a burning or crawling skin feeling.
Postural habits are the most common cause of temporary numbness in the legs. This includes habits that put sustained pressure on nerves or reduce blood flow in the lower limbs. For example, sitting with your legs crossed for too long can cause temporary numbness in your legs. This is because the pressure can briefly compress the nerves in your legs, preventing them from "talking" to your brain. Changing your sitting position often and trying not to cross your legs for extended periods can help prevent this.
Temporary numbness in the legs can also be caused by other factors, such as tight clothing or footwear. In most cases, paresthesia is temporary and harmless. However, it can sometimes signal an underlying condition, especially if it is chronic. If you experience frequent numbness in your legs or if the numbness spreads to other body parts, it is important to determine the cause. While it is usually not harmful, leg numbness may be caused by an underlying condition such as a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or chronic condition like diabetes or lupus.
If numbness in the legs is accompanied by permanent or long-term changes in colour, shape, or temperature, it is important to seek medical advice. Additionally, if numbness is not related to postural habits or lifestyle factors, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. A doctor can help determine if there is a medical condition causing the symptoms and provide treatment for the underlying cause. Home remedies such as rest, massage, and hot or cold therapy can also help relieve numbness.
While temporary numbness in the legs is usually not a cause for concern, it is always a good idea to be mindful of your posture and make sure you are not staying in one position for too long. Changing positions frequently and stretching can help prevent numbness and ensure your comfort and well-being.
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Chronic numbness may indicate an underlying health condition
Chronic numbness in the legs may indicate an underlying health condition. While numbness in the legs is usually not harmful, it is important to determine its cause, especially if it occurs frequently or spreads to other body parts.
One possible cause of chronic leg numbness is nerve damage from diabetes, also known as diabetic neuropathy. This occurs when high blood glucose levels damage the nerves in the legs and other parts of the body. Numbness in the legs can make it difficult to notice injuries, increasing the risk of dangerous infections.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is another potential cause of chronic leg numbness. MS is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that covers nerve cells. This can lead to sensory nerve damage and numbness in different parts of the body, including the legs. The numbness associated with MS may come and go, gradually worsen over time, or be experienced on one side of the body.
Other underlying health conditions that can cause chronic leg numbness include lupus, fibromyalgia, and peripheral nerve tumors. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to nerve damage and numbness, often on one side of the body. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterised by widespread body pain, aching, and tenderness. Some individuals with fibromyalgia also experience numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Peripheral nerve tumors, while rare, can grow in or near the nerves that control leg muscles, causing nerve damage and pain.
If you are experiencing chronic leg numbness, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment. They may perform a physical examination, order additional tests, and recommend treatments based on the underlying cause.
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Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes
When your leg falls asleep, it is usually due to sitting in one position for too long, which briefly compresses the nerves in your leg and prevents your brain and leg nerves from communicating. This is called paresthesia, and it can be avoided by changing your sitting position often and trying not to cross your legs for too long. However, chronic numbness may be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, fibromyalgia, a stroke, or diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to a type of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy, which occurs when people with diabetes have uncontrolled high blood glucose (sugar) levels. This can affect the nerves that transmit messages between the brain and spine and other body parts, such as the legs. Peripheral neuropathy, the most common type of neuropathy, refers to any of the nerves outside of the spinal cord and often affects the feet and legs, and sometimes the hands. It can cause numbness, tingling, and/or pins and needles sensations (paresthesia), as well as pain, unusual touch-based sensations (dysesthesia), and muscle weakness. Proximal neuropathy, a type of peripheral neuropathy, affects the thighs, hips, and glutes.
High blood sugar levels over a long period can damage the nerves throughout the body, and the numbness often starts in the toes and moves upward. Peripheral nerve damage can also be caused by smoking, which narrows and hardens the arteries, lowering blood flow to the legs and feet and making it harder for wounds to heal. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and alcohol use disorder are also risk factors for diabetic neuropathy.
To prevent nerve damage caused by diabetes, it is important to control blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication. There is no cure for nerve damage, but symptoms can be managed by examining the feet and legs daily to ensure no problems develop, as numbness can make it difficult to notice cuts or injuries that could lead to dangerous infections. Peripheral neuropathy can be diagnosed through a neurological assessment of small and large fiber sensation, ulceration risk testing, and a complete medical history review, including diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.
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Numbness can be caused by nerve damage from injuries
Numbness in the legs is usually not harmful, but it may be a sign of an underlying cause, such as nerve damage from injuries. When your legs fall asleep, it is typically because you have been sitting in one position for too long, which puts sustained pressure on certain nerves. This pressure can briefly compress nerves in your leg, preventing your brain and the nerves in your leg from communicating with each other. This is called paresthesia, and it can cause a pins-and-needles sensation. Paresthesia is usually temporary and harmless, but it can sometimes signal an underlying condition, such as nerve damage.
Injuries to different parts of the body may put pressure on certain nerves, causing leg numbness. For example, a herniated disc can lead to a pinched nerve, which can cause numbness and tingling in the legs. Sciatica is another condition that can result from a pinched nerve, and it is more likely to occur in people who sit for long periods, have extra body weight, or are in an older age group. In some cases, sciatica can cause leg numbness that spreads from the lower back down the back of the leg, sometimes even into the toes.
Leg numbness can also be a symptom of nerve damage caused by diabetes, also known as diabetic neuropathy. This occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves throughout the body, often starting in the toes and moving upward. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is another condition that can cause leg numbness due to sensory nerve damage. Strokes or mini-strokes can also lead to brain damage that affects how the mind interprets and processes nerve signals, resulting in temporary or long-term numbness in parts of the body.
If you are experiencing frequent or persistent leg numbness, it is important to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
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Persistent numbness may be a symptom of fibromyalgia
When a leg falls asleep, it is usually because of something benign, like sitting in one position for too long. This can cause the nerves in your leg to be compressed, preventing them from "talking" to your brain. This is called paresthesia, and the feeling of numbness should go away once you shift positions.
However, chronic numbness may be a sign of an underlying health condition. For example, a blood clot in the leg, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), may cause tingling and numbness. A tumour called a peripheral nerve tumour can also grow in or near the nerves that control the muscles in your legs, causing nerve damage and pain.
Diabetes can also cause leg numbness. Diabetic neuropathy occurs in people with diabetes who have uncontrolled high blood glucose (sugar) levels, which can affect the nerves that transmit messages between the brain and spine and other body parts, such as the legs.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is another cause of leg numbness. MS is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, which covers nerve cells. Lupus, another autoimmune disorder, can also cause leg numbness due to nerve damage.
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Frequently asked questions
It means that you have likely been in one position for too long, causing temporary numbness.
The numbness is caused by sustained pressure on the nerves or reduced blood flow in the legs.
If the numbness is persistent, accompanied by long-term changes in the colour, shape, or temperature of the legs, or causes trouble with walking, you should consult a doctor.
Chronic numbness may be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, nutritional deficits, multiple sclerosis, or nerve damage.
Try to avoid staying in the same position for too long. Get up, move around, and stretch your legs to improve blood circulation.
