Feeling Pins And Needles In Your Body? Here's Why

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Updated Dec 10, 2024 | 10:19 AM IST

SummaryEver felt a tingling 'pins and needles' sensation? From pressure to vitamin deficiencies, uncover the causes, warning signs, and when it’s time to seek help for this common but sometimes concerning feeling.
Tingling Feeling In Hands

Credits: Canva

If you have ever slept on your arm and your leg, you might feel like a pins and needles sensation. Some people describe it as a fuzzy numbness, while for others it could be a prickling sensation. Medically, this term is known as paresthesia, which literally translates to "abnormal feeling". In many ways, it actually is the way we feel due to the changes in nerve function.

So, what causes it?

Before we get into that, let's identify how can you take a note of it:

  • where you feel the sensation
  • how long does the sensation last
  • when it first started
  • whether or not it is associated with certain positions or postures

Pressure

If you notice that sensation is associated with specific position like sitting or crossing your legs, then it could be related to pressure. When you put pressure on certain areas of your body, it can lead to compression of both, a nerve and its blood supply. Therefore, it temporarily interferes with nerve's function and you experience paresthesia.

Medicines

There are certain medicines for conditions like HIV and cancer can affect nerve function and could lead to paresthesia. Certain supplements too can contribute to paresthesia. A bodybuilding supplement called beta-alanine is also known to cause pins and needles sensation.

As per a 2012 study titled Mechanisms of Itch Evoked by β-Alanine showed that beta-alanine makes your nerves more sensitive, resulting in itching and tingling sensations. There are long-term supplementation of vitamin B6 can also cause you to feel the sensation, especially if you feel numbness in hands and feet.

Other causes

There are other causes which are also related to such feeling:

  • stroke or transient ischemic attack
  • head or limb trauma
  • vitamin B12 deficiency
  • multiple sclerosis
  • panic attack
  • diabetes
  • alcohol abuse
  • carpal-, cubital-, or tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • sciatica
  • thoracic outlet syndrome
  • sjogren’s syndrome
  • systemic sclerosis
  • vasculitis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • lupus
  • encephalitis
  • Lyme disease
  • HIV
  • heavy metal toxicity
  • tumor

Is it dangerous?

This feeling is usually not dangerous, however, if there are underlying cause, it could be worrisome.

Concerning symptoms may include:

  • fever
  • fatigue
  • weakness
  • unintended weight loss
  • night sweats
  • body aches
  • changes in vision, hearing, or speech
  • changes in appetite or thirst
  • dizziness
  • light-headedness
  • anxiety
  • pain from a recent injury to the area
  • recent or current illness

What is the feeling like?

The pins and needles feels like burning, pricking, itching, and crawling. The most common way people describe this as is "fallen asleep" of a certain body part. It starts as a tingling numbness and becomes a bit dull, and fuzzy feeling.

What can be done when such happens all over your body?

Usually, this sensation is rare in all over your body and it only affects a couple of your body parts. For instance, in vitamin B6-related paresthesia, you feel the sensation in your hands and feel but not in other body parts.

However, if you do feel so, you can first try to reposition yourself, and do some stretches which will help you improve your blood circulation. If changing positions does not work, go see your healthcare professional and consult with them for any medication.

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World No Tobacco Day 2025: How “Safe” Vaping Is Hooking A New Generation On Nicotine?

Updated May 31, 2025 | 03:00 PM IST

SummaryDespite being marketed as a safer alternative, vaping exposes users to nicotine, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals, making it a major threat to youth health on World No Tobacco Day.
World No Tobacco Day: How “Safe” Vaping Is Hooking A New Generation On Nicotine?

Credits: Canva

Every year on May 31, World No Tobacco Day serves as a global wake-up call to the grave dangers of tobacco consumption. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 and formalized in 1988, this day aims to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and push for effective policies to reduce its consumption. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” takes a bold stand against deceptive marketing strategies that present vaping and other nicotine products as “safer” alternatives to traditional tobacco.

This narrative, although seductive, is not just misleading—it’s dangerous.

Why Vaping is Seen as a “Healthier” Substitute?

Public health campaigns had, for a while, reason to celebrate. Decades of anti-smoking efforts were showing results, with fewer people lighting up cigarettes. The drop in cigarette smoking was hailed as a victory for preventive healthcare. But the rise of e-cigarettes—sleek, flavored, and aggressively marketed—has reversed some of that progress.

Originally touted as a cessation aid or a “less harmful” nicotine delivery method, vaping quickly evolved into a cultural trend, especially among youth. While traditional smoking rates declined, vaping became the most common method of nicotine consumption among adolescents, replacing rather than eliminating tobacco use.

“Vaping is not harmless,” warns Dr. Arun Chowdary Kotaru, Head and Senior Consultant of Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine. “Even if it may contain fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, it still delivers a cocktail of harmful substances that are anything but safe.”

At the heart of both smoking and vaping is nicotine—a highly addictive stimulant that alters brain chemistry. E-cigarettes typically contain this substance, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not only fuels addiction but also impairs adolescent brain development.

“The teenage brain is still developing until around the age of 25,” explains Dr. Kotaru. “Nicotine interferes with areas responsible for learning, impulse control, and mood regulation. Early exposure can also set the stage for a lifelong struggle with addiction, increasing vulnerability to other substance abuse later in life.”

It’s not just youth who are affected. Pregnant women who vape put their unborn children at risk, as nicotine restricts blood flow to the placenta, potentially leading to low birth weight and other complications.

What’s in a Vape?

Many people assume that switching from cigarettes to vaping means fewer chemicals entering the body. That’s not entirely accurate. While e-cigarettes may contain fewer carcinogens than combustible cigarettes, the aerosol (not vapor) inhaled from vaping devices contains a toxic mix.

According to the CDC and corroborated by Dr. Kotaru, this aerosol may include:

  • Heavy metals like lead, nickel, and tin
  • Volatile organic compounds that are linked to cancer
  • Flavoring chemicals, notably diacetyl, associated with “popcorn lung” or bronchiolitis obliterans
  • Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs

“Inhaling these substances directly into the lungs introduces not just nicotine, but also numerous potentially carcinogenic and lung-damaging compounds,” Dr. Kotaru adds. “This is not harm reduction—it’s harm diversification.”

Are Flavors and Packaging Hooking the Next Generation?

One of the most alarming strategies employed by the vaping industry is flavoring. Youth-friendly flavors like mango, cotton candy, and mint make vaping palatable—and appealing—to teenagers and young adults. As of late 2023, over 6,000 vaping products were available in the U.S., many in disposable formats that are brightly colored and easy to conceal.

These products are not just accessible—they're marketed with the kind of sophistication once seen in cigarette advertisements from the 1950s and ’60s, before regulation cracked down. The industry's tactics seem designed to normalize vaping, glamorize nicotine, and downplay the risks.

Myth of “Harm Reduction” and Dual Use

Proponents of vaping often cite “harm reduction” as a justification, suggesting that e-cigarettes are a stepping stone to quitting. While this may hold true for a subset of adult smokers under medical guidance, the reality is more complicated.

Dual use—where individuals both vape and smoke traditional cigarettes—is increasingly common. This behavior does not reduce harm but rather amplifies exposure to toxic chemicals. According to public health experts, dual users may suffer worse respiratory outcomes compared to those who stick to one method alone.

“People assume they're cutting down on cigarettes by vaping,” says Dr. Kotaru. “But in reality, they’re compounding the risk by layering one addiction on top of another.”

Campuses across the U.S. are grappling with the rising incidence of vaping among students. Once confined to restrooms and dorm rooms, the use of e-cigarettes has crept into classrooms, cafeterias, and even public events.

Behavioral health reports from school districts, such as the 2024 Wood County Youth Behavioral Health Barometer, indicate that vaping is often seen as harmless among teens—a perception that public health advocates are racing to correct. Educational campaigns are now targeting youth directly, enlisting students in peer-led interventions to counteract the flood of misinformation on social media and among friends.

“Safer” Doesn’t Mean Safe

The narrative that e-cigarettes are a “safer” alternative to smoking needs to be critically examined and, in many cases, flatly rejected. Public health isn’t a race to the lesser of two evils. It’s a pursuit of well-being grounded in evidence, prevention, and transparency.

While vaping may have a role in helping some adult smokers transition away from combustible tobacco under strict supervision, the broad marketing of these devices—especially to youth—is a threat to global health.

On this World No Tobacco Day, let’s unmask the illusions, expose the tactics, and recommit to a nicotine-free future. The risks are real. The science is clear. “Safer” isn’t safe—and we should stop pretending otherwise.

Dr. Arun Chowdary Kotaru, Head and Senior Consultant, Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, Artemis Hospitals

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Wildfires Caused Health Symptoms Could Affect Your Heart And Lungs For Months: Study

Updated May 31, 2025 | 02:00 PM IST

SummaryWildfires can leave a devastating aftermath for people to deal with. Whether it is in terms of economic, social, or even health. However, could the effects of the same be experienced months after the fact?
Wildfires Caused Health Symptoms Could Affect Your Heart And Lungs For Months: Study

(Credit-Canva)

News of wildfires and damage caused by it is often centered around the immediate effects of the smoke. While the aftermath of such a destructive event can be difficult to deal with, a new study shows, the side effects of the wildfire could show up, even months later

Wildfire smoke doesn't just clear with the wind. A new study shows that the harmful effects on your heart and lungs can last for up to three months after the smoke clears. The particle pollution in wildfire smoke makes it much more likely for people to end up in the hospital for months, even when the air looks clean. This means there's a hidden, long-lasting danger for anyone in areas hit by these fires.

Even if you're only around the smoke from small fires for a few days, it can still cause health problems that last a long time. The study, published in the journal Epidemiology, also found a direct link between the amount of smoke pollution and an increased risk of health problems. The more smoke in the air, the higher the danger to people's health.

How the Study Was Conducted

To understand this extended impact, researchers examined hospitalization records from 2006 to 2016 for residents across 15 U.S. states. The states included Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. The extensive dataset included over 13.7 million hospitalizations for heart diseases and nearly 8 million for respiratory conditions, providing a broad view of health impacts following smoke exposure.

The study found that people's risk of hospitalization for these conditions increased within three months of exposure to wildfire smoke. High blood pressure was the health condition most significantly impacted. Other conditions gravely affected included various heart diseases, strokes, irregular heart rhythms, pneumonia, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and asthma. These findings underscore the broad and serious health consequences that extend far beyond the immediate smoke event.

Urgent Need for Better Wildfire Management

These results emphasize that preventing wildfires is crucial for protecting public health. Wildfires can burn for weeks, and smoke may linger in the air for extended periods, keeping the air toxic even after a wildfire has ended. Current wildfire management strategies are outdated and ineffective. More effort should be placed on proactive wildfire management to safeguard public health, rather than solely relying on traditional air quality controls after fires have already started.

What Are The Health Effects Of Smoke Inhalation?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that smoke inhalation happens when you breathe in a significant amount of smoke, for instance, during a house, vehicle, or forest fire. This smoke can directly harm your airways and lungs. It often contains dangerous chemicals like carbon monoxide and cyanide, which can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities.

If you've been in a fire, are experiencing symptoms of smoke inhalation, or suspect you've breathed in a lot of smoke, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention or go to the emergency room.

Even smaller amounts of smoke, such as from distant wildfires, can irritate your eyes and airways. In such situations, it's important to stay indoors with windows closed or wear a mask if you must go outside. This is especially vital if you have existing respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma. You may experience symptoms like:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarseness
  • Chest pain
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Noisy breathing, like wheezing or stridor
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Fainting
  • Seizures

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Smoking Could Be A Bigger Issue For People With Disability

Updated May 31, 2025 | 12:17 PM IST

SummarySmoking has been used as a coping mechanism by people. Whether it is work related, personal life etc., a ‘smoke break’ becomes almost unavoidable. Could it be more prevalent in certain groups, and if it is, what drives this source of worry?

(Credit-Canva)

When a stressful situation arises, any type of worry or anxiety, a lot of people opt for taking a smoke break. While it may be occasional at times, after a while, it can become a habit. However, why do people smoke during these occasions? According to the Mental Health Foundation UK, nicotine creates an immediate sense of relaxation, which makes people believe that the smoke is helping them reduce stress and anxiety. However, what they do not realize is that this sense of relief comes at the cost of withdrawal symptoms and more cravings to smoke.

A recent study reveals a concerning link between smoking and disability in the U.S. Roughly two out of five American smokers experience some form of disability, where as one in seven faced severe limitations to their quality of life, meaning their disability was that disrupting their daily routines.

This research, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlights that disability is more than twice as common among current smokers compared to those who have never smoked. What does this connection highlight and why does this issue affect them?

Common Disabilities Among Smokers

The study, published in Tobacco Control, showed what disabilities affected people who smoked the most. Mobility issues, such as difficulty walking or climbing stairs, were frequently reported. Additionally, many smokers experienced cognitive difficulties, which means they experienced problems with thinking, memory, or concentration.

This shows that smoking doesn't just harm your lungs or heart; it also significantly impacts many smokers' daily physical and mental abilities. The Mental Health Foundation UK also explained how regular doses of nicotine lead to changes in the brain. This change leads to withdrawal symptoms as the supply of nicotine decreases in your system causing nicotine withdrawal.

Researchers gathered data from the National Health Interview Survey between 2019 and 2023. This comprehensive in-person survey, conducted by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, collects information on smoking habits and assesses various types of disabilities. The study meticulously compared disability rates across three groups: approximately 17,600 current smokers, 37,500 former smokers, and nearly 91,000 individuals who had never smoked, providing a robust basis for their conclusions.

What Did The Study Find?

The results are striking: about 40% of the nation's 25 million current smokers reported some level of difficulty across several categories, including mobility, cognition, vision, hearing, communication, and self-care. Even more concerning, 14% of current smokers reported severe difficulty in at least one area, double the rate seen in never-smokers. This data clearly indicates that current smokers face significantly higher rates of both common and severe disabilities compared to non-smokers.

While the study undeniably shows a strong connection between smoking and disability, it couldn't definitively establish cause and effect. Researchers acknowledge that it's unclear if smoking directly leads to these disabilities, or if individuals already living with disabilities might turn to smoking as a coping mechanism. This crucial distinction remains an open question, highlighting the need for further research to fully understand the complex interplay between smoking and disability.

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