This week’s blog on Pins and Needles is by My-Medicines.com and describes the common condition medically referred to as Paresthesias.

It’s a great read…….

‘Do you have to sit still at work for long periods?’

Then you’ve probably experienced this at one time or the other.

It’s that sensation of uncomfortable tingling, prickling, skin-crawling or numbness in the hands or feet.

We all know this one, some call it:

• “pins and needles”,
• “cramps”,
• “Kill-Dog Kill-Dog”

Well, I know it as “Paja-Paja”.

What are Pins and Needles?

This usually occurs following pressure or strain on the muscle during normal as well as sedentary activities.

A common cause is leaning awkwardly on an arm or leg which presses against the nerves and cuts off (the) blood supply.

You often experience it in your arms, hands, legs and feet, and (it) usually stops when the weight is taken off the body part; restoring normal posture and allowing for normal blood supply.

The occasional bout of Paja-Paja is a harmless event.

Conditions linked with persistent ‘Pins and Needles’

However, chronic Paja-Paja (that is; if it has been going on for several weeks or months) can be a warning of some other underlying disorders; some of which include:

• Nerve inflammation
• Nerve injury
• Poisoning from toxic substances such as alcohol or lead
• Poor diet
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Hypothyroidism
• Stroke

How to relieve Pins and Needles

Here are a few things you can do if you experience Paja-Paja:

• Loosen any tight clothing/shoes as these could be straining the nerves (or restricting blood flow/circulation).
• Get up and shake the limb if you have been sitting/leaning on it for a long time.
• Minimize neck/back problems by:
  • Avoiding lifting heavyweights
  • Avoiding repetitive movements
  • Taking regular breaks at work.
  • Avoiding poor posture – consider doing yoga or Pilates; it really helps
• Control diabetes, if you have it, with diet, medication and regular check-ups.
• Avoid excess alcohol, this denatures the nerves and is also not friendly to your liver.
• Avoid vitamin B12 deficiency by eating a mixed diet or have a blood test to check whether you need supplements.

When To See your Doctor

Soon; if you have signs of a neurological disease (including):

• worsening loss of power (weakness) or sensation in part of the body,
• difficulty walking,
• (frequent) falls.

In addition, talk to your health provider:

• if the problem recurs (keeps on happening),
• has no obvious cause or
• doesn’t fully recover within a few minutes.

Conclusion

So what do you think of Paja-Paja now? Are there other local terms for pins and needles you know?

Let us know in the comments below.

My-Medicines.com is the largest online pharmacy in Nigeria and provides wellness and health information blogs.

Always contact your health provider if you feel unwell.

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Editing by AskAwayHealth Team

Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are edited by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
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