Very annoying, such a sleeping feeling I feel your foot or arm. How is it caused and what can you do about it? Christiaan Roosendaal, neurologist at the Slingeland Hospital in Doetinchem, explains.
Christiaan Roosendaal:“If there is a lot of pressure on the nerves in your arm or leg, for example if you have been in the same position for too long, a sleeping feeling can arise. The tingling you feel is actually a warning from the body to wake up and change positions. The feeling is a signal from the nerves, just like the pain you feel when you cut your finger. Usually it goes away after one or two minutes.”
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“The 'deaf' feeling mainly arises in your arms and legs, because the nerves there run more on the outside. In most cases it is therefore something harmless. If you have drunk a lot of alcohol, you can sleep so deeply that you sleep through a tingling sensation. Because a nerve in your arm or leg is sometimes pinched for hours, a weakness can arise. That's what we call Saturday night palsy. It may then take a little longer before you get rid of the feeling, but in the end it usually goes away on its own.
People who lose tens of kilos in a short time may suffer from sleeping limbs more often. Your nerves are protected by fatty tissue. If you suddenly lose a lot of fatty tissue, the nerves don't have a good cushioning and are more sensitive to pressure. This is especially evident in the elbows and knees.”
“If you feel tingling in your face, stomach, or back, there's probably something else going on. Even if it lasts for a long time or if you suffer from it every day, there may be a medical cause. The carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, where you have a pinched wrist. Then it is best to contact your GP.”
