Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with numbness in your hands? You might have been puzzled, asking yourself, “What causes numbness in hands while sleeping?”. While sleeping, numbness in the hands is a common complaint affecting many people. It can be disconcerting and may cause concern, especially if it occurs frequently. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind what causes numbness in hands while sleeping and provide suggestions on how to prevent hand numbness.
Causes of Numbness in Hands While Sleeping
There are several reasons why your hands might become numb during sleep. The most common explanations include the following:
Poor Sleeping Position
A poor sleeping position is one of the primary reasons behind numbness in the hands while sleeping. Sleep in an awkward position can put pressure on your nerves, especially in the arms, hands, and fingers. This pressure can reduce blood flow to the area, leading to numbness and tingling sensations.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by median nerve compression as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This condition can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, primarily affecting the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Symptoms are often more noticeable at night, as many people inadvertently flex their wrists while sleeping, which increases pressure on the median nerve.
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Ulnar nerve entrapment, also referred to as cubital tunnel syndrome, takes place when compression of the ulnar nerve develops at the elbow or wrist. This particular nerve is responsible for delivering sensations to the ring and little fingers. Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, symptoms often worsen during sleep due to flexing the elbow or wrist, which results in extra strain being exerted on the nerve.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome encompasses a collection of conditions that arise when the nerves or blood vessels situated in the area between the collarbone and the first rib (known as the thoracic outlet) experience compression. This can provoke numbness, tingling, and pain in the arm and hand, which may be more noticeable while sleeping.
Diabetes
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur in people with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, including those in the hands. Numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and fingers are common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, and these sensations may be more pronounced during sleep.
Vitamin Deficiencies
A deficiency in certain vitamins can lead to peripheral neuropathy. This condition can cause numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Ensuring adequate levels of these essential vitamins can help prevent these symptoms.
What deficiency causes numbness in hands while sleeping?
A deficiency in vitamins, particularly vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin), can contribute to peripheral neuropathy, affecting the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. This condition can cause numbness, tingling, and sometimes pain in the hands and feet, which may be more pronounced during sleep. These vitamins play a crucial role in maintaining the health of your nerves and supporting normal nerve function.
To prevent or address these deficiencies, consuming a balanced diet that includes foods rich in B vitamins is important. Good sources of vitamin B6 include fish, poultry, whole grains, legumes, and bananas, while vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. For vegetarians and vegans, fortified cereals and plant-based milk alternatives may provide a good source of vitamin B12. If necessary, discuss supplementation with your healthcare provider.
If you experience persistent numbness in your hands while sleeping, you must consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation to determine whether a vitamin deficiency or another underlying cause is responsible for your symptoms.
Can high blood pressure cause numbness in hands?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, does not typically cause hand numbness while sleeping. However, high blood pressure can contribute to conditions that might lead to numbness in hands during sleep. Here are some ways that high blood pressure may be indirectly associated with numbness in hands while sleeping:
- Vascular issues: Chronic high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and impair circulation. Reduced blood flow to the hands and fingers may lead to numbness, tingling, or a cold sensation. Still, this is more likely to occur in cases of severely uncontrolled hypertension or long-term damage to blood vessels.
- Nerve damage: High blood pressure over an extended period can cause nerve damage, similar to how diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy. The nerve damage might result in numbness, tingling, or hand pain during sleep.
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke or TIA. Although these events are typically sudden and severe, they can sometimes present as temporary or intermittent numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands or other body parts.
It is worth mentioning that while high blood pressure may be associated with these conditions, hand numbness while sleeping is more commonly caused by other factors such as poor sleeping positions or nerve compression syndromes like carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment.
How to Prevent Numbness in Hands While Sleeping
To avoid experiencing numbness in your hands while sleeping, consider the following tips:
- Improve Your Sleeping Position
Ensure you maintain a comfortable and neutral position while sleeping to minimize pressure on your nerves. Avoid sleeping with your arms bent or underneath your head or body. A supportive pillow that aligns your head and neck can also help.
- Manage Underlying Health Conditions
If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve entrapment, thoracic outlet syndrome, or diabetes, work with your healthcare provider to manage these conditions effectively. This may include wearing a splint at night, making lifestyle changes, or taking medications as prescribed.
- Exercise and Stretch
Regular exercise and stretching can improve blood circulation and muscle strength, which can help alleviate nerve compression. Incorporate hand, wrist, and arm stretches into your daily routine, especially if you perform repetitive tasks or have a sedentary job. Yoga and other low-impact exercises can also help maintain flexibility and muscle tone.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly B6 and B12, can help prevent vitamin deficiencies that may contribute to peripheral neuropathy. Foods high in B vitamins include fish, lean meats, dairy products, whole grains, and legumes. If necessary, discuss supplementation with your healthcare provider.
- Address Ergonomic Issues
If your job involves repetitive hand movements or extended typing or writing periods, ensure your workstation is ergonomically designed to reduce the strain on your wrists and hands. Use ergonomic keyboards, wrist rests, and adjust your chair and desk height to maintain proper alignment.
- Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake
Smoking can impair blood circulation and exacerbate numbness in the hands while sleeping. Limiting alcohol intake can also help, as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to nerve damage and vitamin deficiencies.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the question of what causes numbness in hands while sleeping can be attributed to factors such as poor sleeping position, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve entrapment, thoracic outlet syndrome, diabetes, and vitamin deficiencies. To prevent these symptoms, it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, address underlying health conditions, and practice good sleep hygiene.
Remember that if you consistently experience numbness in your hands while sleeping or if your symptoms worsen, you must consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment. By taking these proactive measures, you can enjoy restful sleep and reduce the likelihood of waking up with numbness in your hands.