17 causes of numbness in fingers [right, left and while sleeping]

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Investigating the cause of finger numbness is very important for people who face this problem on a regular basis. Although this issue is temporary and harmless in many cases, in some special cases it may be a danger signal for pressure on the nerves, disruption of blood flow or damage to the peripheral nervous system. This problem usually occurs as a delay in the sense of touch, tingling, or a decrease in sensation in the fingers, and if it keeps repeating, it can be a sign of a serious illness or injury. In this article from Darmankade Health Magazine you can get to know the reason for the numbness of fingers in different situations.

What is the sign of feeling fingers?
Cause Numbness of fingers in sleep
reason Numbness of fingers in pregnancy
Difference Numbness of the fingers of the right and left hand href="#h-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84">Frequently Asked Questions

What is numbness in the fingers?

Can numbness in the fingers be a symptom? Temporary pressure on nerves or blood circulation, but sometimes it is a sign of neurological, metabolic disorders or more serious problems. The following are the most important reasons for numbness of the fingers:

1- Temporary pressure on the nerves or incorrect position of the hand

Long-term placement of the right hand in a fixed position, such as sleeping on the hand, constantly leaning on the elbow or working for a long time with the mouse and keyboard, can cause temporary pressure on the nerves. This condition is usually harmless and is resolved by changing the position, moving the hand and improving blood circulation.

In this condition, the numbness is often short-term and is accompanied by symptoms such as tingling or murmuring. If this state is repeated frequently, it can be a sign of improper use of the hand in daily activities. 2- Carpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually more common in people whose dominant hand is the right hand. In this disease, the median nerve in the wrist area is pressed and causes numbness, tingling or pain in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger.

This problem is usually seen in people who do repetitive tasks with the right hand, such as typing, working with hand tools or using a mobile phone for a long time, and it may intensify at night.

The feeling of pain and numbness Do you have it in your fingers?

Consult a specialist today for examination and treatment. Cervical nerves (cervical disc)

Cervical nerve compression or inflammation, especially from cervical disc or cervical vertebrae arthrosis, can cause numbness in the fingers. In this case, the nerve signals from the neck are disturbed. Numbness due to neck problems is usually accompanied by neck, shoulder or arm pain and may be aggravated or relieved by moving the head. This type of anesthesia is often more permanent than temporary anesthesia.

4- Diabetes and peripheral neuropathy

In people with diabetes, long-term high blood sugar can damage peripheral nerves and cause diabetic neuropathy. This injury usually appears as numbness, tingling or burning in the fingers and toes. In some people, numbness may first be felt on one side of the body, including the right arm. Improper control of blood sugar is one of the most important factors for aggravating this type of numbness.

5- lack of vitamins, especially vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the important and treatable causes of finger numbness. This vitamin plays a vital role in nerve health, and its deficiency can cause disturbances in the transmission of nerve messages. Numbness caused by B12 deficiency is often accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, pallor, and in severe cases, balance problems and if left untreated, can lead to permanent nerve damage.

6- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Sudden numbness in the fingers of the right hand, especially if accompanied by weakness, slurred speech, facial droop, or dizziness. It can be a sign of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Because the left hemisphere of the brain controls movement and sensation on the right side of the body, damage to this area can cause numbness in the right hand. This situation is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate action.

7- MS disease (MS)

In MS disease, the immune system attacks the protective sheath of the nerves and this causes disruption in the transmission of nerve messages. Finger numbness can be one of the initial or periodic symptoms of this disease. This numbness may be temporary or long-term and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as blurred vision, muscle weakness, or extreme fatigue. 8- Blood circulation disorders and vascular problems. Decreased blood flow to the hand, especially due to vascular diseases, can cause numbness and coldness of the fingers. This condition is seen in diseases such as Raynaud's or peripheral vascular occlusion. In these conditions, numbness is usually associated with a change in skin color, a feeling of cold or pain, and it may improve with hand warming.

9- Long-term alcohol consumption

Chronic and long-term alcohol consumption can damage the peripheral nerves and lead to alcoholic neuropathy. This injury often appears as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. In some people, numbness may first be felt in the dominant hand, i.e. the right hand, and gradually spread.

10- Thyroid diseases

Thyroid hypofunction can cause fluid retention and pressure on the peripheral nerves, which results in numbness in the fingers. This numbness is usually gradual and is accompanied by symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue and dry skin.

11- Infections and inflammatory diseases

Some viral or bacterial infections such as shingles and severe viral infections can involve the nerves and cause numbness in the fingers. In these cases, numbness may be accompanied by pain, fever or general symptoms of the disease.

12- Adverse effect of chemotherapy (chemotherapy neuropathy)

One of the common side effects of some chemotherapy drugs is peripheral neuropathy, which causes damage to the nerves of the hands and feet. This condition can cause numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in the fingers. Chemotherapy neuropathy is usually caused by the use of certain drugs such as quercetin, taxols or vincristine, and its severity depends on the type of drug, dosage and duration of treatment. In many patients, the numbness first starts in the fingers of the dominant hand and may continue for some time after the treatment is completed.

One of the most important reasons for the numbness of the fingers in sleep is the hand being in an inappropriate position and the nerves of the hand being compressed.

Causes of numbness of fingers in sleep

When fingers become numb in sleep, it means that there is a problem in nerve function or blood circulation. Numbness of the fingers during sleep, also known as sleeping hand, is a temporary disorder that usually resolves after a few minutes. When the wrist or elbow is in an inappropriate position, blood circulation or sending nerve messages is disturbed, and the sensation returns by changing the sleeping position.

But if this numbness continues frequently or is accompanied by pain, weakness or tingling, there may be a more serious problem such as nerve compression or peripheral nerve disorder. In the following, we have pointed out the most important reasons that cause numbness of the fingers in sleep:

Are you worried about neurological symptoms such as numbness in your fingers?

Get a neurological checkup before it is too late Tehran neurologist Phone consultation of a neurologist

1- Improper posture during sleep and positional pressure on the nerve or vein

Putting the hand or arm under the body or the pillow, as well as bending the wrist and elbow at an inappropriate angle, causes the nerves or veins to be under pressure. This temporary pressure causes interruption or reduction of nerve or blood flow to the hands and fingers and causes numbness or tingling at night. In this case, the problem is usually solved by changing the position and keeping the hands away from the head or body.

2- Compression of the median nerve in the wrist or elbow

If the wrist is bent during sleep or placed in a position where the carpal tunnel is under pressure, the median nerve, which is responsible for feeling in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger, is under pressure. takes This type of numbness usually occurs at night or in the morning after waking up, but if it occurs during the day, the patient's condition should be checked by a neurologist.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand disorders. This disease is caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist tunnel.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand conditions. It is caused by pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist.

quoted from the website mayoclinic

3- Ulnar nerve compression (ulnar nerve) or radial (radial nerve)

Numbness of the fingers is not only limited to the median nerve. If the elbow or wrist is placed at a certain angle or pressure, the ulnar nerve or radial nerve may be compressed. This can lead to numbness in the back of the hand, little finger, or thumb. Therefore, examining the fingers that become numb can be a clue as to which nerve is pressed.

4- Blood circulation disorder due to sleeping position or vascular problems

Sometimes the numbness of the fingers is not related to nerve compression and is caused by blood flow disorder. This problem occurs when the hand is under the body or in a position where the veins are compressed. This blockage of blood flow makes nerve cells unable to transmit sensory messages, and numbness or tingling occurs in the hand. If these conditions are repeated repeatedly, nerve or vascular damage may occur; Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the state of sleep and blood circulation to prevent serious problems.

5- Chronic nerve damage or neurological and metabolic disorders

Numbness of the fingers does not always happen temporarily and many times a person may experience this feeling while sleeping and waking up. If nerves are damaged by diseases such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency, or other neurological or metabolic disorders, numbness can be persistent and severe. In this case, sleep may intensify the numbness because the body has less movement and blood circulation or nerve activity decreases.

The reason for numbness in the fingers during pregnancy

Many women experience numbness, tingling or tingling in the hands and fingers during pregnancy. The most important cause of finger numbness during this period is natural physiological changes in the body. In many cases, this condition occurs in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and gradually resolves after the birth of the child. Below are the reasons for numbness in the fingers during pregnancy:

Fluid retention and swelling: Swelling of the hand and wrist due to fluid retention creates pressure on the nerves and causes numbness.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: Pressure on the median nerve in the wrist causes tingling and numbness in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger.
Hormonal changes and tissue relaxation: Pregnancy hormones soften the ligaments and the stability of the wrist decreases, the pressure on the nerve becomes easier.
Increase in weight and mechanical pressure: Enlarging the belly and changing the way the hands are placed puts extra pressure on the wrist and nerve.
Reduction of physical activity and blood circulation. Weaker: Inactivity slows down the blood flow and stimulates nerves less, the numbness worsens.
Background conditions: Neurological problems caused by disease or vitamin deficiency can increase hand numbness.

Numbness in the fingers during pregnancy is usually temporary and usually occurs due to hormonal changes.

The difference between the numbness of the fingers of the right and left hand

The numbness of the fingers of the left or right hand can be a sign of a difference in the location or cause of the problem. Usually, if numbness occurs in only one hand, it is likely to be due to pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, damage to tendons, carpal tunnel syndrome, or pressure from sleeping and daily activities.

But if the numbness of both hands occurs at the same time, the cause may be more general or systemic. One of the most important causes of this type of numbness is blood circulation problems, diabetes, lack of vitamins, metabolic disorders or wider neurological disorders. The following table shows the differences between right and left hand finger numbness:

Agent / characteristicLeft handRight hand Anesthesia heart attack with chest pain and sweating; more common on the left side, numbness with chest pain and sweating; Rarer on the right side, stroke Damage to half of the right brain causes numbness in the left hand Damage to half of the left brain causes numbness in the right hand Carpal tunnel syndrome left hand pain in left-handed people Right hand pain in right-handed people

Final word

Finger numbness can be caused by simple and temporary reasons to more serious neurological and metabolic problems. Knowing the cause of numbness in the fingers, along with appropriate exercises, changing daily habits and using appropriate treatment methods, can help improve the natural sensation of the hands and prevent long-term injuries. If you frequently experience symptoms such as numbness and tingling in your fingers, you can visit a neurologist online via the clinic's website. Also, Darmankade provides you with the possibility to make an appointment with the doctor of your choice through the online appointment system to see a neurologist in person. You can also have a consultation with online orthopedist or make an appointment with the specialist of your choice through the online appointment system to see the best orthopedic doctor.

Frequently asked questions

The most important cause of numbness What are the fingers?

Numbness of the fingers can be caused by temporary pressure on the nerves, blood circulation disorder, vitamin deficiency or neurological and metabolic problems. Sometimes this condition is transient and sometimes needs to be checked by a doctor.

Is hand numbness normal during pregnancy?

Yes, hormonal changes, hand swelling and pressure on the median nerve usually cause temporary numbness during pregnancy.

When is hand numbness dangerous?

If the numbness is accompanied by weakness, decreased muscle strength, severe pain, or movement problems, it may be a sign of a serious neurological disorder or The disease is systemic and should be referred to a doctor immediately.

What are the simple ways to reduce hand numbness?

Hand rest, change of position, use of wrist splint, stretching exercises and physical therapy can reduce temporary numbness.

How stretching exercises help to reduce numbness?

Stretching exercises increase blood circulation, pressure on They relieve nerves and increase the flexibility of muscles and tendons, which is effective in reducing numbness and tingling.

Is medication or surgery necessary for hand numbness?

If the pressure on the nerve is severe or persistent, the doctor may suggest medication, injections, and finally surgery.

Resources: medicalnewstoday | webmd

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