CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Why Hands Go Numb While Sleeping, When To Seek Help
Numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands while sleeping at night is a common problem for many people. It is often ignored as the result of sleeping in the wrong position or pressure on the hand. In many cases, changing the position of the hand brings relief. However, if it happens repeatedly, the numbness lasts for a long time, or it is accompanied by pain and weakness, an underlying health issue may be responsible.
Major causes of hand numbness
1. Wrong sleeping position: Keeping the hand pressed under the head while sleeping, sleeping with the elbow bent for a long time, or pressure on the wrist can affect the nerves. In such a situation, the hand may become numb. Usually, relief begins after the pressure is removed and the position of the hand is changed.
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome: This problem occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve, which passes through a narrow space in the wrist. Tingling or numbness may be felt particularly in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and parts of the ring finger. Symptoms may worsen at night and can disturb sleep.
3. Pressure on nerves in the neck: When bones, discs or surrounding tissues in the neck put pressure on nerves, pain, tingling and numbness can spread from the neck to the hand. Some people may also feel weakness in the hand.
4. Nerve problems linked to diabetes: If blood sugar remains uncontrolled for a long time, nerves may be damaged. This is called diabetic neuropathy. It can cause numbness, burning or tingling in the hands and feet.
5. Vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 is essential for normal nerve function. Its deficiency may cause tingling, numbness, weakness in the hands and feet, and difficulty maintaining balance.
Which symptoms should not be ignored? If numbness in the hands occurs repeatedly, lasts for a long time, grip strength begins to weaken, objects start slipping from the hand, or pain spreads from the neck to the hand, a doctor should be consulted for examination. Based on the symptoms, the doctor may advise nerve tests, blood sugar tests, vitamin B12 tests or other necessary investigations.
Important warning: If one hand suddenly becomes numb or weak and symptoms such as facial drooping, difficulty speaking, trouble seeing or loss of balance occur along with it, it may be a sign of stroke. In such a situation, seek emergency medical help immediately, even if the symptoms improve after some time.
Ways to prevent numbness in the hands include avoiding sleeping with the hands pressed under the body. Do not keep the wrist bent too much for long periods, and adopt a sleeping position that does not place unnecessary pressure on the neck and hands. If tingling in the wrist occurs repeatedly, a splint that keeps the wrist straight at night may be useful on a doctor’s advice.
Occasional numbness in the hands may be due to pressure, but it is important to identify the cause of persistent or repeated symptoms. No disease can be confirmed on the basis of symptoms alone. Timely examination helps in appropriate treatment.
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