Perhaps you have woken up in the middle of the night with a tingling sensation in your hands, probably because the weight of your body has been on them for a long time. This can cause us not to be alarmed. However, apart from the numbness in the hands, we feel burning or pricking. It may be due to a problem with the nerves in this area. This sensation usually occurs in parts of the body such as the arms, feet, hands, and legs, and generally, they are not a symptom of severe conditions. Still, in the same way, if you notice that the numbness is constant, it will be necessary that you visit your doctor. In FastlyHealwe will give you an answer to why my hands go to sleep.
Table of Contents
Carpal tunnel syndrome
The first cause of why my hands go to sleep is carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition causes inflammation of the tissues around the tendons and exerts pressure on the median nerve, which provides mobility and sensitivity to the wrist, causing tingling in the hands. Symptoms appear mainly at night, and their incidence is higher in women than in men. Apart from the pain that this ailment generates, there may also be signs such as:
- Clumsiness when grabbing an object.
- Atrophy of the muscle located under the thumb.
- Misery reaching the elbow.
- Difficulty carrying bags.
Some of the causes for suffering from this syndrome are:
- Being born with the most miniature carpal tunnel.
- Perform repetitive movements with the wrist and hand.
- Use vibrating tools.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Bone fractures
Contrary to what is believed, activities such as typing on the computer, playing a musical instrument, or using the mouse do not cause carpal tunnel syndrome, but they contribute to tendon swelling. We will start with some preventive measures such as splints, especially in the morning or in heat and cold in the affected area, when treating this condition.
If this does not affect pain, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroid injections. If this is not enough, surgery will be the last treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome, the ligament that presses on the nerve will be cut to release the canal.
Wrist overload
As we have said before, tasks such as typing on the computer, using the mouse, and playing an instrument are not activities that cause carpal tunnel syndrome, but they do have an effect on the wrists, which can cause numbness in the hands. . If you have to do work on a day-to-day basis that involves flexing or extending your wrists or applying too much force on them, it may be the answer to why your hands go to sleep. In this case, stretching exercises will be of great help to reduce pain.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 is responsible for forming red blood cells, metabolizing proteins, and absorbing calcium, iron, and vitamin A. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause symptoms such as:
- Tingling sensation in the hands and limbs.
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Lack of energy.
- Difficult to focus.
- Diarrhea or constipation
The ways to treat vitamin B12 deficiency are through diet or periodic injections, under medical supervision, and oral supplements. Foods rich in this vitamin are:
- Red meat, beef liver, and pork.
- Eggs and dairy.
- Chicken and fish.
- Seaweed, mushrooms, wheat germ, and soy.
Fluid retention
Being overweight and leading a life with unhealthy habits produce fluid retention, another cause of why my hands go to sleep, generated by an imbalance in strength that normalizes the flow of fluids from one area to another—causing fluid to accumulate in the tissues of our body. Fluid retention is a sign that accompanies other diseases, whether of the heart, digestive system, or kidney.
This condition occurs especially during pregnancy and menopause due to hormonal changes. Depending on the cause that is generating fluid retention, whether it is due to circulatory disorders or problems of being overweight and sedentary, some home remedies will help you reduce this feeling of numbness in the hands, feet, and legs:
- Exercise daily.
- Don’t wear clothes that are too tight.
- Keep hydrated.
- Eat foods rich in potassium, such as chard, cabbage, avocado, spinach, banana, and potato.
- Avoid foods rich in sodium such as seafood, meats, and dairy products such as cheeses and yogurts.
Home remedies
As we have seen, the numbness of the hands, in most cases, is due to situations that we can control or deal with by changing our daily habits. Here are some home remedies to reduce tingling in the hands.
- Wear a wrist strap if you spend a lot of time each day pressing on it.
- Stay hydrated, drinking 2 liters of water a day.
- Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin B.
- Relieve the inflammation of your feet by immersing them in cold water before going to sleep.
- Avoid consuming too much salt.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.