Reasons for having numb hands when waking up

But if we tend to feel tingling or numbness in our hand or fingers more often when we wake up, we may be dealing with a bigger problem. It is interesting to understand why we can lose sensitivity in the hand when sleeping and what to do to reduce tingling and numbness.

Causes

Sleeping in a position that puts pressure on the arm or hand is a common cause of numbness and a tingling sensation that goes away soon after waking up and changing position, but it’s not the only possibility. Numb hands can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, so it’s important to be aware of other symptoms.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Numb, tingling fingers at night may be related to a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. Numbness in the thumb and index finger (and often the middle finger) is commonly due to compression of the median nerve in the ‘carpal tunnel’, a narrow passageway made up of ligaments and bones on the palmar side of the hand.

This nerve compression occurs when something repeatedly squeezes, presses, or irritates the median nerve. Any repetitive motion that involves frequent flexion of the wrist (using a computer mouse or other hand tools nine hours a day) can cause or contribute to problems in the carpal tunnel space. The numbness is usually accompanied by tingling and, in extreme cases, weakness of the thumb and fingers.

While stretching your hands and wrists before bed and upon waking can help eliminate numbness, you may need to see your doctor to control carpal tunnel tingling. Treatment includes the use of neutral wrist splints to prevent the wrist from bending, along with steroid injections and, if necessary, surgery to release the nerve in the tunnel.

Compressed or damaged nerve

In addition to the median nerve, other nerves, when compressed or damaged, can also cause numbness in the hands and fingers. In fact, the second most common cause of numbness in one hand is compression of the ulnar nerve (which runs from the elbow area to the fingers). This can happen if too much pressure is put on the elbow or wrist while sleeping. In this case, the numbness occurs in the little and ring fingers, and sometimes in the middle finger.

Although rarer, damage to the radial nerve can also lead to numbness. The radial nerve, which runs from the upper arm to the forearm and wrist, can become compressed when we sleep in a position that puts extreme pressure on the upper arm. Improper use of crutches can also constrict the radial nerve.

When the radial nerve is compressed or damaged, a person may experience abnormal sensation in the back of the hand or thumb, and in more severe cases, the ability to straighten the fingers or bend the wrist backwards is lost.

Sometimes it’s just enough to sleep in a different position , one that doesn’t put pressure or strain on your arm. For example, if the hands go numb while sleeping on the side, we will avoid lying directly on the arms and flexing the wrists. Similarly, back sleepers should stop sleeping with their arms above their heads. We’ll try to keep them to one side to reduce pinching of the nerves.

But if adjusting your sleeping position doesn’t work, treatment may include supportive care with wrist or elbow splints. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to release the nerve.

cervical spondylosis

Numbness in the fingers can be a sign of cervical spondylosis, a condition characterized by normal wear and tear on the spinal discs in the neck that occurs with aging. In fact, cervical spondylosis affects 85 percent of people over the age of 60.

Although many people will not show symptoms, others will experience neck pain and stiffness, as well as tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. This is because cervical spondylosis can increase pressure on the spinal cord, leading to pinched nerves. Other symptoms include lack of coordination, trouble walking, and loss of bladder or bowel control.

If we have any of these symptoms, we will see a doctor so they can help properly assess and diagnose us. Depending on the severity of symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or even anti-seizure medications and antidepressants, which can help relieve pain and inflammation. In addition, physical therapy, in which we will learn exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the neck and shoulders, can be helpful in managing cervical spondylosis.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency

Vitamin B-12 is essential for the function of your brain and central nervous system and the synthesis of DNA. It is also needed to make red blood cells. A deficiency of this vitamin can be caused by several factors, such as age, diet, family history, and certain medical conditions, such as gastritis and autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency can include numbness and tingling in the feet, muscle weakness, and decreased appetite. Therefore, if our hands feel numb when sleeping or waking up, it may be due to this deficit.

Alcohol abuse

Alcohol can damage nerve tissue when excessive amounts of alcohol are ingested. This is called alcoholic neuropathy . People who drink too much may feel pain and tingling in their extremities. It is not uncommon to have deficient levels of certain vitamins and nutrients that the body needs for proper nerve function in the midst of alcoholism, as heavy drinking often coincides with a poor diet.

Muscle weakness, muscle cramps and spasms, or sexual dysfunction may also be noted. So numb hands can be one more symptom of a hangover.

ganglion cyst

Ganglion cysts are noncancerous lumps that grow along the joints or tendons of the wrists or hands. If a cyst presses on a nerve, it can cause numbness in the hands. A cyst can also be painful when pressed or can interfere with joint movement.

Most ganglion cysts go away without treatment. Although to make sure that this is the cause that causes our numb hands, it is best to have a doctor diagnose it.

Thoracic outlet syndrome

A rare disorder called thoracic outlet syndrome could be the cause of your numb hands at night. This condition occurs when the blood vessels or nerves in the area between the first rib and the collarbone become compressed. Most cases of thoracic outlet syndrome are caused by whiplash or other trauma to the neck . Sometimes the disorder is caused by repetitive movements or, less commonly, by having an anatomical defect, such as an extra rib.

There are several types of thoracic outlet syndrome, so symptoms can vary, depending on which nerves or blood vessels are compressed. We will always consult a doctor about these symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, or muscle relaxants to reduce pain and swelling.

Physiotherapy can also be an effective treatment. Performing exercises that strengthen and stretch the shoulder muscles can help open the thoracic outlet and, as a result, reduce pressure on blood vessels and nerves.

Mellitus diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the body does not respond to insulin effectively or does not produce enough of it.

About half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, including peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, which can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands.

sleeping posture

Pressure on the hands from sleeping postures is a likely cause of waking up with numb hands. It can happen when we sleep on the arm or hand or in a position that puts pressure on a nerve. The temporary lack of blood flow can cause numbness or tingling.

Changing position is usually enough to relieve symptoms. Perhaps this is the most common cause of waking up with numb and cold hands.

Treatment

Treatment for numbness in the hands depends on the cause. We may not need any treatment if the numbness is occasional and improves once we change our sleeping position. However, there are some remedies that can include a combination of medical treatments and home remedies.

• Exercise. Exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome can help improve symptoms and increase strength if you also have muscle weakness. Stretching, strengthening, and posture exercises can also help with symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
• Over-the-counter pain medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can help with minor pain and swelling that affects the hands, neck, and other areas.
• Splints or wristbands . Wearing a wrist brace or splint keeps the wrists straight to relieve pressure on the median nerve. We can wear them when performing repetitive tasks or at night to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
• Topical treatments. Lidocaine patches and capsaicin cream applied to the skin can relieve mild pain and peripheral neuropathy. Topical menthol can also help relieve carpal tunnel pain.
• Vitamin B12 . A vitamin B-12 deficiency can be treated with oral supplements. If the deficiency is severe or you are unable to absorb vitamin B-12 from your diet, we may need vitamin injections. Eating foods rich in vitamin B-12, such as salmon, eggs, and liver, can also help.
• Antidepressants. Some types of antidepressants treat neuropathic pain by interfering with the processes responsible for sending pain signals. They may be helpful in treating nerve pain caused by diabetes and other conditions.
• Anti-seizure medications . Medications developed to treat epilepsy can relieve nerve pain.