Why do we experience numb arms and hands?

Numbness in the arm and hand can have many causes, from nerve damage to circulation problems. The most common cause of hand or arm numbness is sitting or sleeping in the same position for a long time. This puts pressure on your nerves and cuts off blood flow, causing short-term numbness. It may be mild and temporary, or a symptom of a more serious medical condition. So how can we find out if we need serious medical help? In this article, we’ll be discussing the different causes of numb arms and hands.

Causes of arm and hand numbness

Migraines

There is a type of migraine called “migraines with auras”. This causes you to partially affect your senses, including your sense of touch. Numbness of the arm is a side effect of migraine with aura, this happens within the first hour of the migraine but usually ends in less than an hour. If you have symptoms of migraine with aura, you should see your doctor because some of these symptoms, such as vision problems, are also symptoms of a stroke or retinal tear.

Diabetes

High blood sugar levels can damage your nerves and cause a problem called diabetic neuropathy. You may experience numbness, usually starting on your feet. In some rare cases, it can also affect your hands. There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy but it can be prevented by having better control of your blood sugar levels

Poor blood circulation

Having blocked or compressed blood vessels can interfere with blood circulation to and from the heart. Poor circulation can cause numbness and tingling in the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Other symptoms of poor blood circulation include cold hands and feet, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain.

Neurological conditions

There are a number of neurological conditions that can have numbness as a side effect(such as multiple sclerosis). Generally speaking, this causes a range of symptoms, depending on the nerves it affects. Aside from numbness, other symptoms and side effects include having problems with speaking and concentrating weak muscles,

Pinched nerve

Injury or overuse can cause nerve compression. Sometimes it’s due to a health problem, such as arthritis, narrowing of the space between the bones in the spine, or a spinal tumor. If your cartilage, muscle, or tendon puts too much pressure on your nerves, it may not work properly.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain ruptures or becomes blocked by a blood clot. Symptoms of a stroke are numbness in the arms or legs, and a stroke can lead to weakness, confusion, problems with vision and speech, and drooping of one side of the face.

Thoracic outlet syndrome(TOS)

People with Thoracic outlet syndrome may experience numbness or tingling in the hands and weakness in the neck or arms. Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) refers to a group of disorders that compress the nerves and blood vessels between the clavicle and the first rib. If your cartilage, muscle, or tendon puts too much pressure on your nerves, it may not work properly.