The condition – called paraesthesia – causes a pricking, tingling and sometimes burning sensation – and usually occurs in the arms, legs, hands and feet.
It usually occurs when pressure is applied to a certain part of the body for a while – such as sitting cross-legged.
This cuts off the blood supply to the nerves in the area, which prevents the nerves communicating with the brain.
However, while the condition can be temporary and cured by moving an affected limb and waiting for blood supply to return, some people can often experience regular bouts of pins and needles which can last longer.
This could be a sign of diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, stroke, MS, or in rare cases, a brain tumour.
Experts warn experiencing pins and needles could be a sign of Vitamin B12 or Vitamin B9 deficiency – which occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce blood cells which don’t work properly.
Other symptoms of Vitamin B12, or B9 deficiency can include mouth ulcers, tiredness, muscle weakness and a lack of energy.
Anaemia caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated with infections or tablets.
However, diet is closely linked to anaemia and eating the right food can prevent symptoms recurring.
NHS Choices said: “Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, yeast extract (such as Marmite) and specially fortified foods.
“The best sources of folate include green vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and peas.”
Other types of anaemia can be caused by iron deficiency – where a lack of iron leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells.
Iron deficiency anaemia is most commonly caused by bleeding in the stomach or intestines – which can be caused by inflammatory bowel disease, bowel cancer or by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen.
Shona Wilkinson, Nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com, said: “There are two forms of dietary iron: heme and nonheme.
“Heme iron is derived from haemoglobin (the oxygen carrying part of our red blood cells).
“It is found in animal foods that originally contained hemoglobin, such as red meats, fish, and poultry. Your body absorbs the most iron from heme sources. Nonheme iron is from plant sources.”
“Foods such as meat, eggs, and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron.
“Iron is essential during times of rapid growth and development, pregnant women and young children may need even more iron-rich foods in their diet.
“Very good sources of heme iron, with 3.5 milligrams or more per serving, include beef or chicken liver, clams, mollusks, mussels, oysters.
“Very good sources of nonheme iron, with 3.5 milligrams or more per serving, include breakfast cereals enriched with iron, cooked beans, tofu, pumpkin, sesame or squash seeds.”
Bowel cancer symptoms: Headaches caused by IRON deficiency could be a sign of disease
Daily Express :: Life and Style Feed
