Numbness of the hands – when should you be alarmed?

Unpleasant numbness in the hands and then goosebumps: almost all of us have experienced this feeling. Some after a long sleep, others after being in one position for many hours, and still others for no apparent reason. This should not be a cause for concern if it only happens occasionally and feeling in the hands returns quickly. If numbness in your hands bothers you too often or you can’t get rid of it, you need to consult a specialist, it can be dangerous.

Causes of loss of sensitivity

Numbness of the hands can occur spontaneously or develop gradually, each time increasing and acquiring additional symptoms. Among the most common reasons are the following:

1. Osteochondrosis

Compression of blood vessels and nerve roots in this disease impairs blood circulation. Loss of sensitivity in the hands is caused by the cervical type of the disease; numbness is observed already at its first stage. Bone growths that appear on the second only aggravate the problem. At the beginning of the disease, only the fingers become numb; the hand itself becomes powerless and loses the ability to compress normally. To get rid of numbness in the hands, it is necessary to restore normal blood circulation.

2. Carpal tunnel syndrome (SKK)

The carpal (carpal) tunnel runs from the forearm to the hand, through which the median nerve and flexor tendons pass. The first sign of the disease is numbness of the fingers – the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring fingers “submit” to the median nerve. Various reasons that cause a decrease in the lumen of the canal and compression of the nerve provoke the appearance of SCS. As the disease progresses, numbness spreads to the entire hand, and pain occurs along the median nerve. Numbness in the hands deprives the patient of a restful sleep; he rubs his hands all night to get rid of the unpleasant sensation. As the disease progresses, the thumb muscle gradually atrophies, making it impossible to grasp or hold anything with the affected hand. Computer gamers, active needlewomen-knitters, musicians and drivers, draftsmen and artists are susceptible to the disease.

3. Raynaud’s disease

The disease is characterized by a pathological disruption of the activity of arterioles (small arteries). Located in the fingers of the limbs, they spasm, causing a feeling of coldness and numbness. The spasm, which lasts several minutes or even hours, causes a change in skin color – from pale to bluish. Pain occurs rarely, but numbness, tingling and burning are almost always observed. Particularly prolonged spasms, often repeated, can lead to irreversible skin changes and the appearance of ulcers. Representatives of the fair half of humanity are most susceptible to the disease – chilly, white fingers can be the result of constantly washing dishes with cold water or ignoring the wearing of gloves in winter.

4. Uncomfortable position while sleeping

Numbness of the hands associated with an uncomfortable position during sleep is a fairly common occurrence. As a rule, the unpleasant sensation goes away soon after waking up; to do this, it is enough to move your hand, restoring normal blood circulation. If a positive effect is not achieved, you should consult a doctor.

Interesting fact! Many specialists are very familiar with the “wedding night symptom.” The head of a loved one on the shoulder of her chosen one can disrupt his blood flow and lead to numbness in his hand. The situation is aggravated by drinking alcohol, which lowers the threshold of sensitivity, and the married couple sleeps in this position for a long time. In some cases, it is no longer possible to restore the functioning of the nerves.

Numbness of the left hand

In some cases, numbness of the hands appears only on one side, which is an important evidence for the doctor in diagnosis. If your left hand is constantly numb, this may be a symptom of the following diseases:

1. Cardiac ischemia – numbness of the left hand is caused by one of the forms of its manifestation – angina pectoris. Sensitivity, along with unpleasant sensations in the chest, is lost in the shoulder, forearm and hand. Do a small test – if numbness appears after any physical activity and disappears without a trace at rest, most likely this is a sign of angina pectoris.
2. Myocardial infarction – sometimes numbness of the left hand is the very first sign of a terrible condition. During a heart attack, numbness is accompanied by pain, does not disappear at rest and is not relieved by nitroglycerin, unlike angina pectoris.
3. Stroke – numbness of the left hand in this case signals damage to the right hemisphere of the brain. Associated symptoms are a combination of impaired function of the left leg and left arm, problems with speech and vision. With micro-strokes, the signs are not so pronounced and may disappear after taking medications. However, the danger remains, therefore, if the above symptoms occur, you must inform your doctor about them.
4. Atherosclerosis – narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the left arm leads to impotence and numbness of the left arm. A confirming factor for the presence of the disease is an increase in symptoms when the arm is raised.

In addition, numbness of the left hand, as well as numbness of the right hand, can be caused by:

• osteochondrosis;
• carrying a heavy backpack or bag on one shoulder;
• tight clothes;
• prolonged action requiring the hand to be raised;
• inflammation of the brachial nerve;
• working on a computer;
• vitamin B12 deficiency.

Treatment of numbness in the left hand should only be carried out in a hospital. Do not neglect the doctor’s prescriptions, the consequences can be very unpleasant.

Numbness of the right hand

In addition to general causes, numbness of the right hand can be caused by the development of multiple sclerosis, a pre-stroke condition, or a shoulder injury. Unpleasant sensations in a dream can signal incorrect functioning of internal organs, congestion and adhesions, the consequences of pneumonia and the presence of uterine fibroids. An urgent consultation with a doctor will help to reliably identify the cause and take the necessary measures.

Numbness of hands – diagnosis

Even if the unpleasant signs of poor circulation and numbness in the hands have disappeared, it is simply necessary to consult a doctor. Modern research methods make it possible to effectively diagnose the disease that causes numbness. First of all, the doctor confirms or denies the presence of osteochondrosis, as the most common cause. X-rays and nuclear magnetic resonance scanning will accurately determine the presence of bone growths, a decrease in the intervertebral cervical disc, and sometimes prolapse of the disc nucleus or the presence of an intervertebral hernia.

The neurologist prescribes an examination of brain activity, the functioning of the nervous system, and the condition of blood vessels. Usually, for this they undergo an ultrasound examination, rheoencephalography and tomography, and a blood test for cholesterol. Together with examination and history taking, the results of the examination allow us to make the correct diagnosis. There is no single method for getting rid of numbness in the hands; first of all, therapy should be aimed at eliminating the causes that caused it.

Numbness of hands – treatment

Depending on the established diagnosis, the doctor prescribes complex treatment. Most often, along with medications, the following are used:

• physiotherapy – electrophoresis, laser, microcurrent exposure, ultrasound. The procedures help to activate peripheral blood circulation, improve tissue nutrition in the area of ​​numbness of the hands, influence the pathology with drugs, and provide a biostimulating effect;
• therapeutic exercises – special exercises help develop joints and muscles and strengthen them. As a result of physical activity, tissue trophism significantly improves;
• manual influence – helps remove inflammation syndromes, improves blood flow, relieves spasms;
• reflexology (acupuncture) – restores the activity of the nervous system and helps improve innervation of the limbs.

Numbness of hands – treatment with folk remedies

If numbness in the hands is not associated with serious diseases, simple tips and secrets of traditional medicine will help get rid of it:

1. moderate physical activity in the form of morning exercises, long walks improve blood circulation. If your hands are numb, a simple exercise can help: while lying on the sofa, raise your hands up and actively shake them. After a short rest, clench your fists; you can do this at any convenient time;
2. Contrasting hand baths help a lot; your hands should be in each of the vessels five times;
3. Having immersed your hands in a bowl of hot water, press as hard as possible with each finger on its bottom;
4. a glass of ordinary warm water, drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, perfectly strengthens blood vessels;
5. They say that a woolen thread tied around the wrist helps get rid of frequent numbness in the hands. Shall we try?
6. take one kilogram of celery and parsley, add two lemons and 250 g of honey. Using a blender or meat grinder, make a homogeneous mixture and eat 2-3 tablespoons on an empty stomach in the morning;
7. compresses made from warm pumpkin porridge eliminate numbness in the hands and improve blood circulation;
8. Crushed eggshells help older people get rid of numbness in their hands. A teaspoon of powder is added to food or simply washed down with a glass of warm water;
9. Numbness with severe pain is relieved by compresses and baths from the following mixture: 2 liters of milk, 1 liter of water, 600 grams of salt and 50 grams of honey. Heat to 60 degrees. It is necessary to do 15 procedures;
10. Pour 1/3 cup of flax seed into a liter of water and bring to a boil. Simmer the mixture on the lowest heat for two hours. Leave and strain. The resulting “jelly” is enough for 5 days, drink before meals in the morning and evening, the course is two weeks. After three months, repeat the course of treatment.

Numbness of hands – prevention

To ensure that numbness in your hands never bothers you with its not-so-comfortable manifestations, you should take care of your health and avoid risk factors:

• dress according to the weather, do not ignore gloves in slushy and frosty weather;
• give up smoking and alcohol – apart from problems, they will not give you anything. You should also refrain from eating too spicy and salty foods; diversify your menu with vegetables and fruits.
• if you are a fan of computer games or your profession involves long periods of sitting and uncomfortable body positions, take regular breaks and use them to perform simple exercises;
• Walk more, relax, engage in accessible sports.

Do not ignore numbness in your hands, and if you have additional serious symptoms, immediately call an ambulance.

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