Numb hands in a dream

Throughout their life, every person at least once had to experience the sensation of numbness in their hands during sleep.

Such symptoms indicate a disorder in the circulatory system in the human limbs and have a scientific name - paresthesia.

Causes of numbness in hands during sleep

Even a completely healthy person can experience numbness in the hands and phalanges, but if such symptoms appear quite often, it is worth considering seeking advice and diagnosis from a neurologist.

The most common causes of numbness in the hands during sleep are:

• An uncomfortable sleeping position, which results in compression of nerve endings by spasmodic tissues: tendons or muscles surrounding nerve processes. People call such symptoms - "slept on the arm too long". This is due to the fact that with an "uncomfortable position" there is a compression of blood vessels, partially or completely blocking the flow of plasma fluid to the limbs - this provokes the symptoms of numbness. In this case, you just need to change the position, and the symptoms gradually begin to pass. In this situation, there is nothing dangerous, and you should not worry about temporary discomfort.
• The second, most common cause of numbness in the hands during sleep, doctors call osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. This diagnosis, due to a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work, can be found in 70% of the world's population, especially in the most developed industrial countries. This disease provokes pinching of the root endings of the spinal nerves. Pressure on the nerve leads to swelling of the surrounding tissues, and hence to the appearance of pain symptoms, which are observed in the head, neck, shoulders and hands. The pain makes the muscles contract - a spasm of muscle tissue occurs, which squeezes not only the nerve processes, but also the blood vessels.
• Doctors are familiar with the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome, which can occur for several reasons.
  • A person's professional activity associated with monotonous, uniform movements of the upper limbs and, in particular, the hands and phalanges of the arms.
  • Long-term work on a computer keyboard.
• Disruptions in the endocrine system:
  • Myxedema is a pathology expressed in complete or partial insufficiency of the thyroid gland secretions.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by a deficiency of insulin in the patient’s blood.
• Anterior scalene syndrome can also be caused by cervical osteochondrosis when the corresponding section of the spine is affected. This causes pressure on the sensitive nerves of the extremities.
• Physiologically justified changes in human hormonal levels:
  • Pregnancy period.
  • Time to breastfeed your baby.
  • Climax (onset of menopause).
• Overweight.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a pathology of connective tissues with predominant damage to small joints.
• Injuries to the shoulder, forearm and hand.
• Tenosynovitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the synovial lining of the tendon.
• Iron deficiency.
• Lack of vitamin B12 in the body.
• Raynaud's disease - a disease characterized by angiotrophoneurosis with predominant damage to small terminal arteries and arterioles. The upper limbs are affected (usually, the damage is symmetrical, both hands).
• Polyneuropathy is a disease caused by multiple lesions of the peripheral nerves.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
• Smoking and alcohol.

Drawing a conclusion from the above, the causes of numbness of the hands in sleep can be quite serious diseases, so you should not ignore such symptoms, especially if there are accompanying symptoms (dizziness, nausea, weakness of muscle activity, etc.). To determine the diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist.

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Symptoms of numbness in hands during sleep

Paresthesia is one of the most common complaints with which patients seek medical attention, and the most important thing is to establish the correct diagnosis, since any tactile change in sensory receptors may indicate a fairly serious illness.

What are the symptoms of numbness in the hands during sleep:

• Complete or partial loss of sensitivity of the tips of the phalanges or the entire limb as a whole.
• A feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin.
• Cramps.
• Burning and tingling.
• Throbbing pain.
• Muscle spasms.
• Tremor of the upper limbs.
• My hands are starting to get cold.
• The skin becomes abnormally pale.
• Severe numbness with pain.

If such symptoms are observed regularly, then you should not postpone a visit to the doctor, since this may be a manifestation of one of the life-depressing diseases, which it is desirable to recognize as early as possible.

Numbness in fingers during sleep

The main reason for numbness in the hands during sleep is a circulatory system problem. If there are no pathological changes in a person's health, then it will be enough to buy an orthopedic mattress and pillow - the problem will be solved. After all, these bedding attributes are designed in such a way as to maximally repeat the outlines of the lying body, supporting the spine in a relaxed state, avoiding pinching of nerve endings and blood vessels. Numbness of the fingers in sleep can also occur due to uncomfortable clothes with tight cuffs. The solution to the problem is quite simple - buy new pajamas. At night, you should also take off all jewelry. You should not throw your hands behind your head in your sleep. After all, during rest, the human heart works less intensively. Therefore, the blood may simply flow poorly into the vessels of the hands.

But numbness of the fingers in a dream can also indicate more serious diseases affecting the body. If paresthesia is accompanied by constant nagging pain symptoms and crunching in the cervical vertebrae, one can safely assume that the patient has osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Decreased sensitivity of the fingers can also indicate the initial form of atherosclerosis or pathology of the elbow joint.

It is better to undergo an examination by doctors such as a neurologist, cardiologist, orthopedist, in order to clearly establish the cause of the pathology and, if possible, adjust your lifestyle or undergo a course of treatment.

Numbness in hands during sleep

Quite often, doctors associate the appearance of a feeling of numbness with the progression of such a disease as carpal tunnel syndrome. Specialists say that the main impetus for its development is prolonged work in the same position, with increased tension on the hands.

Numbness of the hands during sleep can also occur due to the compression of the median nerve, localized in the carpal tunnel. With prolonged loads on the wrist (carrying heavy objects, monotonous work on the computer, etc.), swelling may occur in the area of the tendons, which compresses the nerve, blocking the sensitivity of the hand. This discomfort is especially evident at night, when the body's biophysical processes are slow.

Few people want to see a doctor over "trifles", but you shouldn't be so careless, numbness of the hands in sleep can be an indicator of more serious pathologies, for example, Raynaud's disease. As a rule, this disease manifests itself in numbness of both hands at once, especially the phalanges. The reason for the appearance of such symptoms is a violation of blood microcirculation in this area. Concomitant manifestations of this pathology can be called pain, especially in cold weather, the hands begin to freeze unreasonably, and the skin acquires an unnatural, bluish-pale shade. All these are clear signs of the initial stage of Raynaud's disease.

Unwillingness to go to the doctor can also lead to the progression of a disease such as polyneuropathy. This pathology mainly affects the nerve endings of the hands and phalanges of the fingers. The impetus for the development of this disease can be diabetes (even a slight increase in blood sugar is enough). Polyneuropathy can also be provoked by vitamin deficiency (especially vitamin B12), anemia, professional activity, infectious lesions of the body.

Paresthesia can be a consequence of changes in the hormonal status of the body (pregnancy, lactation, menopause), as well as disruptions in the endocrine system, or the result of injury.

Numbness in left hand during sleep

Quite often patients complain of numbness in the left hand during sleep. The appearance of such symptoms can be a harbinger of deeper and more serious diseases in the human body. The cause of the directed pathology:

• Stress, panic, nervous system strain.
• Dehydration.
• Uncomfortable position during rest period of the left arm.
• Taking certain medications.
• Hypothyroidism is a persistent deficiency of thyroid hormones.
• If, in addition to loss of sensitivity, a person feels pain in the chest, nausea, and breathing becomes shallow and rapid, such symptoms may indicate a heart attack.
• Any injury or damage to the shoulder and forearm area.
• Climacteric state.
• Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disease that causes pain and weakness in the muscles and joints.
• Stroke, especially if numbness of the left hand in a dream is indicated by discomfort in the lower extremity of the hand, and is accompanied by speech disorders and vision problems.
• Diabetes mellitus, the physiological manifestations of which affect the growth of nerve cells.
• Migraine is a headache accompanied by spasms of blood vessels.
• Avitaminosis, in particular a lack of vitamins belonging to group B. Although this deviation is not so significant, it still wouldn’t hurt to undergo an examination.
• Intervertebral hernia, capable of replacing a nerve. In this case, a person additionally feels light tingling in the left hand.
• Raynaud's syndrome, characterized by spasms and pathological reduction of the cross-section of blood vessels of the left hand. This disease is most often a consequence of hypothermia, contact with toxins, after stress. Angina pectoris, the presence of a tumor in the wrist area, smoking, malnutrition, as well as chronic alcoholism can also push the development of this syndrome.
• Damage to the nerve endings functioning in the wrist area can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, which in turn provokes the loss of sensitivity in the left limb. Accompanying manifestations can be quite severe pain, muscle weakness, burning, tingling in the forearm and shoulder area, as well as the entire hand.
• Transient ischemic attacks. Numbness of the little finger on the left hand may indicate heart problems.

Numbness in hands after sleep

The night has passed, it's time to start your morning exercise, but your hands don't obey their owner? If sensitivity in such a situation is restored quickly enough, then there is no need to panic. But if numbness of the hands after sleep has become more frequent, you should not wait for "the weather from the sea". It is necessary to urgently seek advice from a specialist and establish the cause of these symptoms. In case of delay, the hidden pathology remains untreated and the degree of the disease worsens.

It is worth analyzing your clothes, maybe the reason is a tight cuff or elastic band that squeezes the vessels. The position of the upper limbs when performing this or that action is also important, if the hands are above the head for a long time or function in an uncomfortable position - this can also provoke numbness of the hands after sleep.

But not only external factors can cause functional discomfort. In the presence of many diseases of internal organs, anatomical defects and systemic pathology, such deviations from the norm are possible. Therefore, if discomfort in the hands appears, it is worth consulting a specialist.

Numbness in fingers after sleep

As sad as it may sound, but almost all pathologies have become significantly “younger” in recent years. Just a few years ago, numbness of fingers after sleep was the prerogative of elderly people, but today, thanks to computerization, such pathology is observed in a fairly large number of young people, especially those who spend a long time near the mouse and keyboard of the computer. This order of things leads to a mismatch in the work of the network of blood vessels in the wrist and phalanges, which leads to unpleasant signals sent by the body.

If you wake up in the morning with numb fingers and decreased sensitivity, you should first analyze the situation to figure out what could be causing numbness in your fingers after sleep.

• If this is an uncomfortable position that causes the upper limbs to go numb, you should try to change the position.
• The problem is uncomfortable pajamas – change your nightwear.
• An uncomfortable bed – perhaps you need to change it or buy an orthopedic mattress with a pillow.
• If this is not the problem, and the patient’s professional activity is associated with monotonous stress on the hands, try taking short breaks from work, doing preventive warm-ups.
• It would not be a bad idea to undergo instrumental diagnostics and clinical examinations, since low blood glucose levels and glandular anemia can also provoke numbness.

You shouldn’t let things slide, because at first glance such minor discomfort may be the first sign of a more serious illness.

Numbness in the right hand during sleep

The first thing to evaluate when waking up and feeling numbness in the right hand in a dream is the quality of the bed the respondent slept on. If you see an old mattress and a high feather pillow, then it is highly likely that they are the ones causing the discomfort in the upper limbs. After all, if, lying in such a bed, the neck and shoulder area become numb, there is blood stagnation, disrupting normal blood circulation in the head-neck-shoulders-arms area. At the same time, the spinal nerves of the cervical spine do not receive sufficient nutrition, and they are responsible for the tactile sensitivity of the skin of the upper limbs, including the right hand. Therefore, after a night spent on such a bed, a person does not feel his hands for some time. If this is the reason, it is worth replacing the old headrest with an orthopedic pillow.

The second most common cause of discomfort can be called osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. It is worth contacting specialists for advice. But even before consulting a doctor, you need to analyze your lifestyle in detail. If your professional activity is related to sedentary work or the patient simply leads a sedentary life or, conversely, the body experiences excessive stress, everything can negatively affect the health of the spine. Hence, osteochondrosis, which, by squeezing the vessels and injuring the radicular nerves, provokes the occurrence of numbness in the right hand during sleep. In this situation, it is worth making it a rule to do a health-improving and preventive set of exercises aimed at returning the spine to flexibility and greater stability. Long walks and swimming in the pool are also excellent in this situation.

It is also worth paying special attention to weight. If it is clearly excessive, it is necessary to take measures to lose weight, because extra pounds are an additional load on the spine, which, unable to withstand it, responds with constant back pain. The pressure on the joints also increases. Obesity provokes the development of arthrosis and osteoarthritis, one of the signs of which is the loss of sensitivity in the affected hand. Weight loss will relieve many medical problems, including those discussed in this article.

Diagnosis of numbness in hands during sleep

To find out the reason that led to the loss of sensitivity in the upper limbs of a person, it is advisable to undergo a comprehensive examination of the body. After all, there may be more than one motivating reason, so having determined, for example, osteochondrosis, it would not be superfluous to check the heart and endocrine system.

Diagnosis of numbness of hands during sleep includes consultation with specialists such as an orthopedist, cardiologist, vertebrologist, surgeon, endocrinologist, neurologist. In most cases, to make a correct diagnosis, the patient will have to undergo:

• X-ray of the spine.
• X-ray of joints.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of joints and spine.
• Ultrasound examination (US) of blood vessels.
• Electroencephalography.
• Laboratory tests:
  • General analysis of urine and feces.
  • Blood for hormones.
  • Complete blood count.
  • Blood sugar test.
• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
• Blood pressure control.

Only after receiving the results of all the studies can we talk about the reason that causes the hands to suffer and lose sensitivity.

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Treatment for numbness in hands during sleep

As already mentioned above, the spectrum of diseases and external influences is wide enough to clearly describe the treatment of numbness of the hands during sleep, because after establishing a diagnosis, in order to remove the unpleasant symptoms, it is necessary to eliminate its root cause. If the cause of numbness is an uncomfortable bed or nightwear, you just need to buy an orthopedic pillow, and preferably also a mattress, or buy soft comfortable pajamas.

When diagnosing one of the internal diseases, the doctor prescribes a treatment protocol aimed at stopping the pathology of this particular organ or system. In most cases, this is a complex treatment consisting of drug therapy, surgical intervention if necessary, as well as various types of physiotherapy procedures, specialized gymnastics and massages.

For example, if the cause of numbness is osteochondrosis or interdiscal hernia (other orthopedic problems), the disease can be treated either by conservative methods or by surgery (if decompression of the nerve root is necessary).

It would not be a bad idea to take vitamins. This is especially true for vitamin B12. The route of administration of the drug is prescribed directly by the doctor, since the medicine can be administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, and intralumbarly (directly into the spinal cord). The route of administration depends on the diagnosis and the severity of the disease. For different pathologies, the dosage also differs. For example, in the case of severe iron deficiency or posthemorrhagic anemia, the amount of vitamin administered is from 30 to 100 mcg. The drug is taken two to three times a week. If the disorders are associated with diseases of the nervous system, the dosage changes slightly and is determined by the figure of 200 - 400 mcg. Injections are administered two to four times a month.

People who advocate vegetarianism and do not consume fish or meat need to include regular brewer's yeast in their treatment, which is sold in a wide range in any pharmacy.

If the problem is related to the spine or frequent hypothermia of the body, one of the methods of complex treatment of numbness of the hands during sleep can be massage, which has a beneficial effect on the human capillary system, if the nerve is pinched, an experienced massage therapist can easily cope with this problem. There are several acupuncture techniques that a person can do independently.

• Place a tennis ball-sized ball on your palm. Knead it in each palm, massaging the surface.
• Squeeze the same ball between your palms and roll it for some time.
• Massage each phalanx and palm of the right hand with the thumb and index finger of the left hand. Then change the actions of the hands.
• It would also be useful to carry out massage procedures using aromatic oils, for example, lilac, 10 g of camphor alcohol diluted in one liter of water at room temperature.
• Perform a general hand massage: stroking, kneading, patting, rubbing.

The doctor can also prescribe such a procedure as amplipulse with the use of ampoule analgin. This is a physiotherapeutic method based on the impact on the biological organism of simulated sinusoidal currents. The frequency of such currents is 2 - 5 kHz, and their amplitude characteristic is 10 - 15 Hz.

In case of detection of congestion and circulatory disorders, when diagnosing Raynaud's syndrome, the vessels must be supported with ascorbic acid.

It is taken orally at a rate of 50-100 mg per day. In this case, a single dosage should not exceed 0.2 g, the maximum daily dosage is 0.5 g.

However, this vitamin should not be used if the patient has a history of thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, or if the patient has an increased sensitivity to this substance.

It is also worth adjusting your diet: introduce more citrus fruits (lemon, orange, grapefruit) into your diet; in this situation, rosehip infusion will help as a drink.

If the problem is tunnel syndrome, the attending physician will usually prescribe injections of glucocorticoids (hormones synthesized by the adrenal glands). For example:

• Esperon. The drug is used for the purpose of muscle relaxant effect on the patient's body. The drug is administered with a starting dosage of 0.6 mg per kilogram of the patient's weight. When using Esperon, special water for injections, or a 0.9% sodium chloride solution, as well as a 5% dextrose solution are usually used as diluents.
• Triacort. The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the affected area one to three times a day. The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor and usually lasts from five to ten days, in more severe cases up to 25 days. They start with a concentration of the active substance in the ointment of 0.1% and subsequently, if there is a positive effect, they move on to a dosage of 0.025% with subsequent gradual withdrawal.

But one must be quite careful with drugs of this type. In combination with diuretics, they can cause arrhythmia. They suppress immune processes, block or slow down the work of heparin, insulin, and various vaccines. Glucocorticoids have a toxic effect on the patient's body, so in combination with them, drugs that support liver function are usually prescribed.

• Carbamazepine. The dosage of the drug is prescribed by the doctor strictly individually. The starting amount of the drug is from 100 to 400 mg. Taking into account the clinical effectiveness and based on medical necessity, the dosage can be increased, but not more than by 200 units at intervals of one week. The frequency of administration is from one to four times a day.

The duration of the treatment course depends on the progress of treatment and is adjusted by the attending physician.

• Phenytoin. The drug is prescribed orally with an initial daily dosage of 3-4 mg per kilogram of the patient's weight. The dose is gradually increased until the desired therapeutic effect is achieved. On average, this is 200-500 mg per day, taken in one or more doses.

If medically necessary, the drug is administered intravenously in an amount of 15-20 mg per kilogram of the patient's body weight. Intramuscularly, a single administration of 100-300 mg of the drug is allowed.

Physical therapy plays an important role in treating numbness in the hands during sleep. A small complex effectively restores muscle tone, improves blood circulation, develops joints, makes the spine more flexible, which cannot but affect the expected result.

For centuries, our ancestors fought this disease with their own methods.

• You can try a mixture of celery and parsley. Grind them in a food processor, blender or meat grinder, 1 kg of each product. Add a glass of honey to the gruel. Mix thoroughly. Take four tablespoons in the morning on an empty stomach.
• Add about 100 g of ground black pepper to a liter of sunflower oil. Put the mixture on low heat and keep it for half an hour. Rub the resulting liquid into the skin of the hand.
• A tincture of red pepper and pickled cucumber is also effective. Chop the cucumbers and pepper with a knife. Pour half a liter of vodka into the resulting mixture. Leave it in a dark place for a week to brew. Rub your hands with this tincture, massaging them.
• Pumpkin porridge also shows good results; apply it warm to the entire arm (from the shoulder to the phalanges). Put some cling film on top and wrap it in a woolen scarf.
• Mix 10 ml of camphor alcohol and 50 ml of ammonia. Rub the resulting mixture into the problematic hand.
• Tie a red woolen thread around your wrist in the form of a bracelet. Wear it until complete recovery.

Preventing Hand Numbness During Sleep

To protect yourself from this problem as much as possible, you don’t have to put in much effort. Prevention of numbness in your hands during sleep includes:

• Constantly monitor your blood pressure, which can trigger a stroke.
• Monitor your kidneys. Edema can cause numbness in your extremities.
• Morning exercises will give you energy and significantly reduce the risk of feeling numb.
• A comfortable place with an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
• Comfortable pajamas.
• Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Avoid mental and physical overload, which has a rather negative effect on the nervous system.
• Walking in the fresh air before bed.
• Compensate for a sedentary lifestyle by doing aerobics, fitness and other active recreation. Or at least make it a rule to walk to and from work, stop using the elevator.
• You should not discount periodic preventive examinations by specialists, and, if necessary, promptly undergo a full course of treatment for the detected pathology.
• Massages.
• Normalize the work and rest regime.
• Avoid hypothermia, especially frequent ones. Dress according to the season, in accordance with the weather.
• Monitor your immunity, avoiding infectious diseases and colds.

Hand numbness during sleep prognosis

If you lead a healthy lifestyle and follow simple preventive recommendations, the prognosis for numbness in your hands during sleep is very favorable.

Many people consider numbness of the hands in sleep to be an unpleasant phenomenon, but not fatal. But from the above it is clear that this is not so. It is almost impossible for a person to determine the cause of the pathology on their own. Therefore, you will have to seek help from a certified specialist. Only a doctor, having the results of biophysical and laboratory studies in hand, will be able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. Do not neglect the signals in the form of symptoms that your body sends you. By taking adequate measures, you can get rid of these symptoms forever.

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