Khaberni - Some people suffer from hand numbness during sleep and upon waking up repeatedly, causing them to feel anxious and stressed, mistakenly believing it to be a sign of various diseases.
Causes of Hand Numbness During Sleep
In this regard, Dr. Samir Al-Mallah, neurology and neurosurgery consultant, confirmed that hand numbness during sleep is a symptom that requires a doctor's visit, especially if it occurs regularly and is accompanied by pain.
Al-Mallah added that hand numbness upon waking up is usually caused by a compressed nerve, clarifying that the treatment is determined by the doctor based on the severity of the condition.
According to the "Sleepfoundation" organization, hand numbness during sleep warns of the following diseases:
1- Worker's Hand Syndrome
Hand numbness during sleep indicates worker's hand syndrome, a common condition among people who make repetitive movements with their hands during work, putting significant pressure on the nerve.
2- Peripheral Neuropathy
A disease in which the patient suffers from damage to the peripheral nerves, it may be genetic or resulting from acquired factors, such as infections or substance abuse.
Hand numbness is a common symptom of peripheral neuropathy.
3- Ulnar Nerve Compression
The ulnar nerve, extending from the elbow to the fingers, helps a person to grip objects using forearm muscles and feel the ring and pinky fingers.
When the ulnar nerve is compressed, a person feels numbness in their fingers upon waking up.
4- Radial Nerve Compression
Some people are accustomed to using their arm or wrist as a pillow while sleeping, without realizing that this posture puts significant pressure on the radial nerve, causing a feeling of hand numbness upon waking up.
5- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A condition very similar to worker's hand syndrome, where the median nerve in the wrist is subjected to significant pressure, and the affected often experience hand numbness during sleep.
6- Diabetes
Diabetes has negative effects on the nerves, increasing the risk of damage, thus feeling numbness and pain in the limbs, whether hands or feet.
Treatment for Hand Numbness While Sleeping
The neurology consultant explained that hand numbness can be treated with nerve-strengthening medications, while in advanced cases, the doctor may resort to surgical intervention.
Tips to Reduce Hand Numbness During Sleep
The organization identified a set of guidelines to help reduce the feeling of hand numbness when waking up from sleep, including:
- Stretching the hands and wrists before bed as a form of warm-up.
- Wearing a wrist brace before lying down in bed, to stabilize it during sleep.
- Sleeping on either side of the body.
- Keeping the arms extended beside the body trunk when wanting to sleep on the back.
- Not placing the wrist or arm under the pillow while sleeping.
Causes of Hand, Limb, and Left Hand Numbness
According to the "GoodRx" site, hand, limb, and left hand numbness may result from a deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals in the body, including:
Vitamin B6.
Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B7.
Vitamin E.
Vitamin D.
Calcium.
Magnesium.
Copper.
Furthermore, a report published by the "Cleveland Clinic" stated that numbness of the hands, limbs, and left hand could reveal a range of diseases, including:
Nerve problems.
Spinal diseases.
Heart attack
Stroke.
Circulatory insufficiency.
