Experiencing hand numbness while sleeping isn’t uncommon, but if this happens often, it could be a sign of underlying medical conditions that may require immediate attention.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a condition that affects 1-5% of the general population, is a common culprit. However, it is not the only reason for waking up with numb hands.
Let’s explore some of the most common causes of numbness in hands and discuss when it’s important to seek medical attention. Read on.
What Typically Causes Hand Numbness?
Sometimes, a tingling or numb sensation in the hands is short-lived and resolves quickly, while in other cases, it might persist and indicate a deeper issue. Let’s discover some of the most common numb hands causes below:
Sleeping Position
One of the most common reasons for morning hand numbness is your sleeping position. When you sleep with your arm or hand in an awkward position, pressure can be placed on the nerves, leading to that tingling or numb sensation when you wake up.
This nerve compression in hands is usually temporary and resolves once you change positions, allowing proper circulation and nerve function to return.
Similarly, temporary compression from activities like holding your phone for too long or keeping your arm bent during sleep can also result in short-term numbness. In most cases, simply adjusting your position can alleviate the symptoms.
Poor Circulation
Restricted blood flow can result in morning hand numbness or numbness at other times throughout the day. Poor circulation is often linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular issues.
Symptoms of poor circulation in the hands may include:
- Cold hands
- Numbness or tingling
- Swelling or discoloration of the fingers
If these symptoms persist, it’s worth discussing with your doctor. Improving circulation through exercise, a balanced diet, and medical treatments can often alleviate these symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a leading cause of numb hands and is especially common among individuals who use their hands repetitively, such as typing or working with tools. This condition occurs when the median nerve, which runs through the wrist, becomes compressed.
Common carpal tunnel symptoms include:
- Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
- Pain or weakness in the hand and wrist
- Difficulty gripping objects
Treatment options range from wearing wrist braces and doing specific exercises to surgery for more severe cases. If you experience frequent numbness that matches these symptoms, you may need to explore whether CTS is the underlying cause.
Peripheral Neuropathy
This condition results from damage to the peripheral nerves, which send signals between your brain and the rest of your body. There are various types of peripheral neuropathy, and the symptoms can include:
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Muscle weakness
- Sensitivity to touch
Some common causes of peripheral neuropathy include diabetes, infections, autoimmune diseases, and even certain medications. Managing the underlying condition, such as blood sugar control for diabetics, can help reduce the symptoms of neuropathy.
Vitamin Deficiencies
A lack of certain vitamins can lead to numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands. Vitamin B12, in particular, is crucial for nerve health, and a deficiency can result in nerve damage or dysfunction, causing numbness.
Other vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin D or B6, may also contribute to nerve issues. Eating a nutrient-rich diet or taking supplements can help, but it’s important to have blood tests to confirm if a deficiency is the culprit.
Other Potential Causes
Though less common, conditions such as arthritis, pinched nerves, or side effects from certain medications can also contribute to hand numbness. Arthritis may cause swelling that impacts the nerves in your hands, while pinched nerves in your neck or back can lead to tingling and numbness radiating into your arms and hands.
Additionally, some medications may cause peripheral nerve damage as a side effect, leading to numbness.
Waking Up With Numb Hands: Signs of a More Serious Condition
While waking up with numb hands is often temporary and harmless, it’s essential to understand when it might indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention. Here are some warning signs and associated health concerns to watch out for:
Persistent or Frequent Numbness
If you experience numb hands in the morning consistently, or if the numbness lingers for long periods throughout the day, it could indicate an underlying problem. Persistent numbness may point to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, where the median nerve becomes compressed, or nerve compression in hands from other sources.
Chronic numbness shouldn’t be ignored, as it can lead to more severe nerve damage over time.
Numbness Accompanied by Pain or Weakness
Numbness combined with pain, tingling, or weakness in your hand, wrist, or arm may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as peripheral neuropathy or a pinched nerve.
If you find that gripping objects or performing daily tasks becomes difficult, or if you experience sharp, radiating pain, it’s important to seek medical advice. These symptoms can suggest nerve damage in the hands or inflammation that needs prompt treatment.
Numbness Spreads to Other Parts of the Body
If the numbness in your hands begins to spread to your arms, legs, or feet, it may indicate a more systemic issue, such as diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy or other nerve-related conditions.
This symptom progression could signal that your body’s nerves are being affected on a larger scale. Seeking help early is crucial to prevent further complications.
Numbness Following an Injury
If you’ve experienced a recent injury, especially to your neck, back, or arm, and you notice numbness in your hands, it could indicate nerve damage or compression. Injuries can lead to pinched nerves, herniated discs, or even fractures that affect nerve function.
If your hand numbness follows trauma, make sure you have it evaluated by a healthcare provider to ensure proper healing and avoid long-term nerve impairment.
Sudden Onset of Numbness
A sudden onset of numbness in one or both hands, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, blurred vision, or difficulty speaking, could be a warning sign of a stroke.
While this is a rare cause of hand numbness, it is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you experience sudden numbness alongside these other symptoms, seek emergency medical care right away.
Numbness Paired With Changes in Skin Color or Temperature
If your hand numbness is accompanied by noticeable changes in the color or temperature of your hands, such as a bluish or pale hue, it could indicate a circulation issue.
Conditions like Raynaud’s disease, which affects blood flow to certain areas of the body, may cause these symptoms. Poor circulation can lead to tissue damage over time, so it’s important to identify the root cause.
Simple Hand Numbness Remedies: What You Can Do
Many cases of numbness in hands are mild and temporary and don’t require seeking medical attention. Here are some effective steps you can take to address mild cases of numbness right at home:
Improve Your Sleep Posture
When sleeping on your side, avoid resting on your arms or wrists. This can put pressure on the nerves and contribute to numbness. Instead, sleep with your hands in a more neutral position, avoiding any pressure points.
You can also prop your arms up with supportive pillows to prevent them from bending awkwardly during sleep.
Consider Using Wrist Splints
If you frequently experience numbness or tingling, a wrist splint can help immobilize the area and reduce pressure on the nerves. These splints keep your wrists in a neutral position, reducing pressure on the nerves and preventing carpal tunnel symptoms from developing or worsening.
Wrist splints are an effective way to provide support and can be a simple solution to reduce morning hand numbness. Before using a wrist splint, consult a qualified doctor to ensure it’s appropriate for your condition.
Stretching and Exercises
Regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your wrists and forearms can help improve flexibility and reduce tension in the muscles that surround the nerves.
Some of the best stretches and exercises for hand numbness include:
Median nerve glides help mobilize the median nerve, which is often compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Start by making a fist with your thumb tucked inside
- Slowly extend your fingers and thumb out, keeping your wrist straight
- Continue extending your wrist, fingers, and thumb fully until your hand is open and fingers are pointed away from you
- Reverse the motion, returning to a fist
- Repeat 10 times on each hand
Wrist circles help improve mobility and circulation in your wrists, which can reduce morning hand numbness.
- Hold your hands out in front of you
- Slowly rotate your wrists in circular motions in one direction for 10-15 seconds
- Switch directions and rotate the wrists the opposite way for another 10-15 seconds
Hand Squeezes with a stress ball strengthen the muscles in your hands and fingers can reduce nerve compression and improve overall hand function.
- Hold a stress ball or a small rubber ball in your hand
- Squeeze the ball firmly for 3-5 seconds, then release
- Repeat this motion 10-15 times for each hand
The Prayer Stretch opens up your wrists and helps alleviate pressure from carpal tunnel symptoms.
- Place your palms together in a prayer position in front of your chest, just below your chin
- Slowly lower your hands while keeping your palms pressed together until you feel a stretch in your wrists and forearms
- Hold for 15-30 seconds, then release
Gentle wrist stretches and forearm exercises can relieve pressure on your nerves, improve circulation, and strengthen the muscles that support your wrists.
Lifestyle Changes
Making small lifestyle changes can go a long way in improving your nerve health.
Staying hydrated, for instance, helps maintain proper blood flow and can reduce the risk of numbness caused by poor circulation. Additionally, ensuring that your diet includes essential vitamins like B12 and folic acid can support nerve function and reduce the risk of hand numbness related to vitamin deficiencies.
A balanced diet and regular exercise are key to reducing hand numbness.
Treatment Options for Chronic Hand Numbness
If you experience moderate to severe hand numbness, seek medical attention, especially if symptoms persist over time. Here are some effective medical treatments and interventions available for relieving hand numbness.
Medications
Doctors often recommend anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids for individuals dealing with inflammation or swelling that may be causing morning hand numbness. These medications help reduce inflammation around the nerves, relieving pressure and reducing numbness.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are typically nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which help decrease swelling and pain. In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections help target the specific area of swelling and provide relief for longer periods.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be an excellent non-invasive treatment option for chronic numbness in the hands. A physical therapist will guide you through specialized exercises and stretches designed to strengthen the muscles around your wrists and hands, reducing pressure on the nerves.
Regular therapy sessions and targeted exercises help address nerve compression in your hands, providing natural remedies for your symptoms.
Surgery
Where carpal tunnel syndrome or other forms of nerve compression don’t respond to medications or therapy, surgical intervention may be required.
A carpal tunnel surgery is typically considered when numbness affects your ability to perform everyday tasks or when nerve damage is likely to worsen.
While surgery is generally considered a last resort, it can offer significant relief and restore hand functionality for those suffering from long-term numbness.
Find Relief for Hand Problems in Houston, TX
Chronic hand numbness, whether due to carpal tunnel syndrome or other medical conditions, can be debilitating. Timely and effective treatment is crucial to prevent permanent damage and maintain hand function.
Worried about consistently waking up with numb hands? At the Hand Surgery Specialists of Texas, we use the most advanced and minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat problems with the hand, wrist, and elbow. Our skilled, Houston-based physicians are trusted for their vast expertise and specialized focus on hand care, offering thorough treatment from the shoulder to the fingertips.
Get in touch today to schedule a consultation.
