Numbness in the Hands
Numbness, also known as tingling (in English: Numbness), refers to the loss of sensation or feeling in one or both hands. Typically, this condition can be accompanied by other sensations, such as tingling that resembles pinpricks, burning sensations, heaviness, or weakness in the arms, hands, or fingers. It’s important to note that numbness may occur in one or both hands, depending on the affected nerve and the underlying cause of the condition.
Common Causes of Hand Numbness
Several common factors can lead to numbness in one or both hands. Below are some of these causes:
- Compression Neuropathy: This condition can result in numbness and tingling in the hands, potentially causing muscle weakness. Compression neuropathy may arise from nerve injuries, muscle thickening, swelling of blood vessels, or the formation of ganglion cysts.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy can happen due to diabetes, alcohol consumption, aging, or exposure to certain heavy metals and industrial chemicals.
- Fibromyalgia: This condition causes widespread pain throughout the body and may also lead to fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, depression, and sleep disturbances. Individuals with fibromyalgia are at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, which can result in hand numbness.
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Similar to fibromyalgia, this syndrome can lead to tingling in the hands and shares many of the same symptoms.
- Stroke: A stroke can produce a range of symptoms, including sudden weakness, numbness in the arm or leg, slurred speech, and facial drooping, typically affecting one side of the body.
- Vitamin or Mineral Deficiencies: A deficiency in vitamin B12, potassium, or magnesium can lead to numbness in the hands and feet.
- Medications: Certain medications, including some antibiotics and drugs used in cancer treatment or for heart conditions, may cause numbness as a side effect.
- Raynaud’s Disease: This condition involves narrowing of blood vessels, which restricts blood flow to the hands and feet.
- Cervical Spondylosis: An arthritic condition affecting the cervical discs, which may cause numbness in the hands, arms, and fingers.
- Epicondylitis: Also known as “tennis elbow,” this condition arises from repetitive movements, causing pain around the elbow and numbness in the hands.
- Thyroid Disorders: Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to nerve damage in the arms and legs, resulting in numbness.
- Lyme Disease: Transmitted through tick bites, Lyme disease can cause symptoms such as skin rashes, flu-like signs, fever, and, in advanced stages, numbness in the arms and legs, along with joint pain.
- Lupus: This autoimmune disease causes inflammation in various body parts, including joints, the heart, kidneys, and lungs, which can damage nerves and lead to hand numbness.
Rare Causes of Hand Numbness
Some less common conditions may also lead to numbness in one or both hands, including:
- AIDS: In its advanced stages, HIV infection can damage nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, potentially leading to loss of sensation in the arms and legs.
- Amyloidosis: This rare disease involves the buildup of abnormal proteins in the body’s organs. Accumulation in the nervous system can result in numbness in the hands and feet.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the protective layer around nerves, causing various symptoms, including numbness in the arms, face, or legs.
- Vasculitis: A group of rare conditions that cause inflammation in blood vessels, hindering blood flow to organs and tissues, which may lead to nerve issues such as numbness and weakness.
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome: This rare disorder occurs when the immune system attacks the nerves, causing numbness and weakness that usually begins in the legs and can spread to the arms, hands, and face.
When to See a Doctor
Individuals experiencing numbness in one of their hands should seek medical advice in the following situations:
- If the numbness progressively worsens over time.
- If the sensation spreads to other parts of the body.
- If numbness affects both sides of the body simultaneously.
- If numbness occurs intermittently.
- If the sensation is related to specific repetitive activities.
- If numbness is isolated to a specific part of the hand, such as a single finger.
Video on Numbness in Extremities During Sleep
For more information on numbness experienced in the extremities during sleep, please watch the video.