smryan@garth.UUCP (Steven Ryan) (12/06/88)
>What does it mean, physiologically, when your arm or leg "falls >asleep"? Is it a "pinched" nerve, constricted blood circulation, >and/or something else? Some artery is pinched closed and so no oxygen reaches the neurons and they stop transmitting signals, hence the numbness. If blood flow is not restored, the neurons will die. Don't worry about that, though, unless you get drunk alot. You'll be waken out even the deepest sleep unless drugs interfere. A pinched nerve is something completely different. And very painful. >Sorry to litter the net with such drivel, but I've just got to know. The only stupid question is the one never asked. -- +---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Multi-culturalism -- just an excuse | When are we going to see | | to keep the minorities satisfied. | Anglo-saxon cultural events. | +---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
seshadri@hpindda.HP.COM (Raghu Seshadri) (12/07/88)
Thanks David, for a lucid explanation of legs "falling asleep." I have another , rather elementary, question. What exactly is an itch, and why does it go away when you scratch ?
smryan@garth.UUCP (Steven Ryan) (12/13/88)
>What exactly is an itch, and why does it go away when you scratch ?
Ideally, an itch is a signal there is an irritant on your skin. Scratching
removes the irritant.
Not so ideally, an itch is a false signal and no irritant is on your skin,
poison oak being a good example for me. Scratching destroys the skin and
can cause infections.
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-- s m ryan
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Then Guthrun crossed the wasted lands
and combed her hair with sooty hands.
Alone she watched the oceans churning,
and sang of heroes, fame most yearning.