How to Tell the Difference Between Anxiety Tingling and MS Tingling

Understanding the Difference Between Anxiety Tingling and MS Tingling

Tingling sensations in the body can result from a variety of conditions. Two common causes include anxiety and multiple sclerosis (MS). But how can you differentiate between anxiety tingling and tingling caused by MS?

Anxiety manifests in physical symptoms like numbness and tingling due to the bodys stress response. MS produces similar neuropathic symptoms because it damages the myelin coating around nerve fibers. Understanding key differences in the tinglings location, timing, triggers and accompanying symptoms provides clues to identify the underlying cause.

In this comprehensive guide, well examine how to distinguish anxiety tingling from MS tingling. Well also provide insight into treatments and self-care strategies to find relief from this frustrating symptom.

Tingling Sensations

Tingling refers to prickling or burning sensations often described as pins and needles. Medical terms for tingling include:

• Paresthesia - Abnormal nerve sensations like tingling, crawling, itching, numbness, or pricking.
• Dysaesthesia - Unpleasant distorted sensory perception

Potential causes of tingling include:

• Anxiety
• Stress response
• Hyperventilation
• Multiple sclerosis
• Nerve compression or injury
• Diabetes
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Thyroid disorders
• Chemotherapy

Lets examine how to differentiate between two major causes of tingling: anxiety vs. multiple sclerosis.

Anxiety Tingling

Anxiety affects millions of Americans. When your body perceives danger or stress, your sympathetic nervous system activates to prepare for fight or flight. Physical symptoms like tingling and numbness often accompany anxiety.

During an anxiety response, hyperventilation causes decreased carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream. This creates a state of respiratory alkalosis, altering electrolyte balances. Calcium and magnesium levels fall while sodium and potassium rise. This shift disrupts nerve impulse conduction, provoking parasthesias like tingling.

Anxiety tingling often presents with the following characteristics:

• Occurs during periods of high stress or panic attacks
• Affects the hands, feet, lips, or face
• Transient, lasting from seconds to minutes or hours
• Subsides when the anxiety or panic attack resolves
• Brought on by triggers like public speaking, crowds, travel, or social situations
• Comes and goes in episodes that are unpredictable

Tingling from anxiety rarely causes permanent damage. The sensations subside once the stress response calms down. However, persistent tingling can impact your quality of life. Anti-anxiety medications, psychotherapy, stress management and lifestyle changes can help minimize anxiety tingling flare-ups.

Other Anxiety Symptoms

Along with tingling, anxiety commonly produces:

• Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea
• Headaches

A comprehensive evaluation by a medical provider helps confirm anxiety as the cause of your tingling and guides appropriate treatment.

MS Tingling

Multiple sclerosis involves an immune system attack against myelin, the protective nerve covering in the central nervous system. Myelin damage disrupts transmission of nerve impulses, provoking numbness, tingling and other neurological symptoms.

MS tingling frequently exhibits these characteristics:

• Occurs spontaneously or from minor triggers like heat, fatigue or common illnesses
• Affects the extremities, especially the hands, arms feet and legs
• Lasts for weeks or months if untreated
• Gradually spreads to new areas of the body over time
• Constant tingling, burning, crawling or electric sensations
• Grows progressively worse and more permanent

The nerve dysfunction in MS tends to cause tingling episodes of increasing severity and duration. Prompt treatment with disease-modifying medications aims to minimize nerve damage and disability.

Other MS Symptoms

Tingling in MS usually presents alongside:

• Fatigue
• Vision changes
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Gait abnormalities
• Dizziness
• Bladder dysfunction
• Cognitive impairment

Doctors use criteria like neurological exam findings, MRI scans and spinal fluid analysis to definitively diagnose MS.

Key Differences in Tingling

Comparing the characteristics of anxiety tingling vs. MS tingling reveals key distinctions:

Characteristic	Anxiety Tingling	MS Tingling
Location	Hands, feet, face, lips	Arms, legs, trunk, back
Time Course	Transient, comes and goes	Persistent, progresses over time
Triggers	Stress, panic attacks	Heat, fatigue, illness, minor injury
Nerve sensations	Numbness predominates	Burning and electric sensations
Permanence	Temporary	Progressively worsens

Paying attention to the subtleties like location, duration, triggers and quality of tingling provides clues to determine whether anxiety or MS is the root cause.

Seeking a Medical Evaluation

Consult your physician promptly if you experience persistent or worsening tingling. Your doctor will perform a series of tests to pinpoint the cause, such as:

• Medical history - Discuss any anxiety, prior neurological symptoms, family history of MS.
• Physical exam - Assess neurological function like reflexes, coordination, gait.
• Bloodwork - Check for vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction.
• MRI - Detect MS brain and spinal cord lesions.
• Nerve conduction study - Measures how well nerves transmit signals.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) - Analyze spinal fluid for MS antibodies.

Early diagnosis and treatment provides the best outlook if MS is the cause of your tingling. Even if negative for MS, identifying factors like nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar issues, or disc herniations allows specific therapy to reduce troublesome tingling.

Treatments for Tingling

Treatment options may include:

Anxiety Tingling

• Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Prescription anti-anxiety medications (SSRIs, benzodiazepines)
• Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, massage
• Daily exercise to relieve stress
• Avoiding triggers like excessive caffeine

MS Tingling

• Disease-modifying MS drugs like interferon, Tysabri, Gilenya
• Corticosteroid therapy to treat flares
• Anticonvulsants or tricyclic antidepressants
• Electrical nerve stimulation
• Cooling therapy with ice packs or cold water

Lifestyle measures like quitting smoking, managing stress, hydration, and stretching also benefit MS and anxiety tingling. Your doctor can guide the right interventions tailored to your diagnosis and symptoms.

Self-Care for Tingling

Regardless of the cause, several self-care strategies can provide relief from tingling:

• Massage - Helps relax muscles and stimulate nerve flow
• Warm baths - Water temperature around 92-98F relaxes muscles and nerves
• Regular stretching - Yoga helps relieve nerve compression
• Acupuncture - Can stimulate natural endorphins that block pain
• Stress management - Meditation, nature sounds, counseling, support groups
• Breathing exercises - Slow controlled breaths activate relaxation response
• Stay hydrated - Drink water, broth, herbal tea; avoid alcohol

Alternative remedies like CBD oil, turmeric, and alpha lipoic acid may also minimize tingling for some people. A holistic approach combining medical treatment, lifestyle changes and self-care offers the greatest chance of lasting relief.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek immediate medical attention if tingling presents with:

• Sudden severe tingling on one side of face or body (sign of stroke)
• Inability to move affected limb
• Urinary or fecal incontinence
• Loss of vision
• Persistent, severe headache
• Confusion
• Head injury

Rapid worsening of neurological symptoms like tingling warrants urgent evaluation to determine if emergency intervention is needed.

Coping with Uncertainty

Waiting for a diagnosis when experiencing unexplained tingling can provoke anxiety. Some tips to manage worry and uncertainty:

• Express your concerns openly with your doctor.
• Educate yourself on possible causes using reputable sources.
• Avoid dwelling on worst-case scenarios.
• Stay busy and maintain routines as normally as possible.
• Join a support community to realize you're not alone.
• Redirect your thoughts when you catch yourself catastrophizing.
• Journaling, yoga, and nature walks help manage stress.

Sharing your feelings with loved ones can also help overcome fear of the unknown. Having an empathetic, responsive health care team makes navigating the diagnostic process less stressful.

In Conclusion

Tingling and other paresthesias can arise from multiple causes. Paying attention to the detailed characteristics provides clues to distinguish between anxiety tingling and MS tingling. Keeping an open dialogue with your medical providers ensures appropriate testing and tailored treatment based on the underlying reason for your symptoms. Mastering stress reduction, self-care techniques, and maintaining a hopeful perspective can help manage tingling while pursuing a definitive diagnosis.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.