Зміст
Numbness in the hands is a very unpleasant feeling that can happen to any of us. This usually happens when we pinch or press on our hands, such as lying down, which interferes with blood flow. It also happens when the limb is overwhelmed during the day – as a result of the same hand movements or frequent use of the phone or computer. Moving the arm should eliminate the unpleasant numbness.
However, when the ailment gets worse, persists, and tends to recur, it could be a sign of a serious illness. It can be caused not only by carpal tunnel syndrome, but also by joint or spinal degeneration, heart attack, or even stroke. So do not underestimate frequent hand numbness and see your doctor as soon as possible. To determine the cause. Here are the most common ones.
Common causes of hand numbness
Numbness in the hands is an unpleasant condition that happens quite often. There are many nerve connections, receptors and vessels in the hands. Numbness is defined as an impairment of the touch and sensitivity of the hand. Pressure can occur when working at a desk for a long time or when holding the hands in one position or when squeezing the hands, for example, overhead while lying down.
The problem arises when this unpleasant sensation occurs quite often and for no apparent reason. One of the least serious is unhealthy diet, which leads to a deficiency of B vitamins, magnesium and calcium. Painful cramps and tremors of the limbs also occur. To help numbness go away, you should supplement your diet with foods rich in these ingredients. However, if hand numbness persists, it could be a sign of a serious medical condition.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Hand numbness is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs as a result of prolonged compression of the median nerve along the forearm and hand. The disease is usually caused by repetitive hand movements, such as when working at a computer. In addition to numbness, there is a tingling sensation in the wrist, thumb, index, and middle fingers. There is also a weakening of the grip and inaccuracy of the movements performed. Symptoms get worse at night, and the numbness may even wake you up. Over time, the disease does not go away even in the daytime, and at a later stage of the disease, muscle atrophy occurs.
Ulnar nerve sulcus syndrome
Hand numbness can also be caused by ulnar groove syndrome, caused by pressure or irritation of the ulnar nerve. Pain, tingling, and sensory disturbances in the groove, little and ring fingers, and the inside of the hand. Symptoms first appear only at night, and then during the day and vary in intensity.
Spine problems
Nerves from different levels of the spine are responsible for the innervation of the arms and legs. Thus, various diseases of the spine can cause numbness in the limbs. These include degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae caused by pressure on the nerve roots of the hand. Poor posture, flat feet, or incorrect height of the pillow we sleep on may be the cause.
Then there is pain and numbness in the arm, radiating to the shoulder. The confidence and accuracy of the finger grip is lost over time. Then it is necessary to carry out the rehabilitation of the cervical spine, as well as physiotherapy and massage. Numbness can also be caused by post-traumatic changes in the spine or a herniated disc.
Diseases of the joints
Numbness in the hands can be caused by joint disease. This includes the symptom of osteoarthritis, which involves destruction of the articular cartilage and then all the articular tissue. The symptoms of the disease are joint pain and numbness of the hands, which at first occur only with movement, and then even at rest and at night. Also, rheumatoid arthritis can be manifested by numbness of the hands.
This is a disease of the connective tissue of the joints, leading to their deformation. In addition to numbness and tingling in the hands, there is reddening of the joints, hypersensitivity to cold and morning stiffness of the joints, which disappears during movement.
Stroke or brain tumor
Ischemic stroke, which cuts off the blood supply to this organ, can be a very serious cause of numbness in the hands. It is manifested by paresis or paralysis of half of the body, as well as impaired speech and vision. In this case, you should call an ambulance as soon as possible. A developing brain tumor can also cause numbness in the limbs as a result of pressure on the spinal nerves.
Cardiovascular diseases
A very alarming symptom is numbness in the left arm, accompanied by severe chest pain. This is due to impaired blood flow to the limbs caused by an impending heart attack. Shortness of breath, anxiety and weakness also appear. Hand numbness can also occur with systemic vasculitis, leading to thromboembolism.
