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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Numbness and Tingling
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page
- MayoClinic.com: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Transient Ischemic Attack
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Why Does My Leg Fall Asleep When I Am Walking?
Legs often fall asleep when sitting, standing or reclining in one position for a long period. Typically, that’s no reason to be concerned. For some people, that tingling and numbness happens while walking 4. A variety of conditions may cause a leg to fall asleep while walking. These conditions typically occur because of circulation or sensory problems.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a disorder that affects the peripheral nerve. This typically occurs in people who have poor control over their blood sugar or those diagnosed with diabetes. The condition can develop suddenly or over time. Diabetic neuropathy sometimes causes tingling, weakness and numbness in the leg and feet, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 14. Other symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include foot ulcers, thigh muscle wasting and difficulty walking.
- Diabetic neuropathy is a disorder that affects the peripheral nerve.
- Diabetic neuropathy sometimes causes tingling, weakness and numbness in the leg and feet, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 1.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Poor Blood Circulation and Numbness When Walking
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Circulatory problems often cause the leg to fall asleep while walking. Peripheral artery disease or PAD occurs when there’s a lack of blood flow to the legs -- typically caused by atherosclerosis, a condition usually caused by the narrowing of the arteries by fatty deposits 2. Mayoclinic.com notes that the telltale sign of PAD is pain while walking. Other symptoms of PAD include leg numbness, intense leg cramping after activities such as walking, a change in leg color and a weak pulse in the legs 4.
Transient Ischemic Attack
Transient ischemic attack or TIA occurs when the brain’s blood circulation is temporarily halted 3. TIA may cause sudden weakness and numbness in the leg, typically on one side of the body, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine 13. Blood clots, blood vessel injuries and blood vessel narrowing impede blood flow to the brain to produce these symptoms. Symptoms develop suddenly, lasting up to two hours. After the attack, symptoms go away. Atherosclerosis increases the likelihood of TIA.
- Transient ischemic attack or TIA occurs when the brain’s blood circulation is temporarily halted 3.
- Blood clots, blood vessel injuries and blood vessel narrowing impede blood flow to the brain to produce these symptoms.
Migraines
Causes of Temporary Leg Paralysis
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Migraine sufferers often develop severe head pain during an episode. They also experience other seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as numbness. According to Migraine.com, 13 percent of migraine sufferers experience a sleeping sensation in either the arms or legs. Many people with migraines also experience facial numbness. Symptoms often appear on the same side of the body as the migraine headache. Migraine.com says these symptoms occur because of sensory aura, changes in senses that occur before the onset of a migraine 4.
- Migraine sufferers often develop severe head pain during an episode.
- According to Migraine.com, 13 percent of migraine sufferers experience a sleeping sensation in either the arms or legs.
Warning Signs
The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests a health care provider be contacted if there’s no obvious cause for leg numbness and if the leg tingling worsens when walking 134. Frequent urination, rashes, dizziness and pain along the arm are also symptoms that need a doctor’s attention. Get immediate medical attention if tingling occurs after an injury to the head, neck or back. Paralysis, loss of muscle and bladder control, slurred speech and severe confusion are also symptoms that a doctor needs to examine immediately.
- The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests a health care provider be contacted if there’s no obvious cause for leg numbness and if the leg tingling worsens when walking 1.
- Paralysis, loss of muscle and bladder control, slurred speech and severe confusion are also symptoms that a doctor needs to examine immediately.
Related Articles
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Numbness and Tingling
- MayoClinic.com: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Transient Ischemic Attack
- Migraine.com; Migraine Symptoms; Numbness and Tingling
- Klein JP. Imaging of progressive weakness or numbness of central or peripheral origin. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;136:923-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53486-6.00047-8
- Bracker MD, Ralph LP. The numb arm and hand. Am Fam Physician. 1995;51(1):103-16.
- Wipperman J, Goerl K. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(12):993-999.
- Mellion M, Gilchrist JM, De La Monte S. Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy: nutritional, toxic, or both? Muscle Nerve. 2011;43(3):309-16. doi:10.1002/mus.21946
- Cohen KR, Salbu RL, Frank J, Israel I. Presentation and management of herpes zoster (shingles) in the geriatric population. P T. 2013;38(4):217-27.
- Halperin JJ. Chronic Lyme disease: misconceptions and challenges for patient management. Infect Drug Resist. 2015;8:119-28. doi:10.2147/IDR.S66739
- Okazaki T, Shinagawa S, Mikage H. Vasculitis syndrome-diagnosis and therapy. J Gen Fam Med. 2017;18(2):72-78. doi:10.1002/jgf2.4
- Saint-lary O, Rébois A, Mediouni Z, Descatha A. Carpal tunnel syndrome: primary care and occupational factors. Front Med (Lausanne). 2015;2:28. doi:10.3389/fmed.2015.00028
- England JD, Gronseth GS, Franklin G, et al. Evaluation of Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy: the Role of Laboratory and Genetic Testing (an Evidence-Based Review). Muscle Nerve 2009; 39:116.
- Gilman, S, Newman, SW. Manter and Gatz's Essentials of Clinical Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, 8, FA Davis, Philadelphia 1992.
- Patten J. Neurological Differential Diagnosis, 2nd, Springer, New York 1996.
Writer Bio
Elizabeth Streeter has been writing professionally since 2000. She specializes in subjects ranging from how to live a happier life to potentially harmful food and drug-related interactions. Streeter has written for "Family Circle," "Woman's Day," "Natural Health" and "Fitness." Streeter holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition science from Auburn University and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in psychology.