Arm numb at night, paresthesia: what to do?

2018-09-06 10:13:37

It has probably happened to you, at least once in your life, to feel a numbnessand tinglingor one tingling at arm level at night. Many factors can cause nerve damage that leads to a feeling of sleepiness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. Some are benignwhile others require and treatment. We take stock.

Often it is a bad position during sleep

It is the most common reason numbness, tingling, and tingling of the arms or legs at night or upon waking. This usually painless “sleeping limb” and tingling sensation has a name: the paresthesia.

When you wake up, you may touch your arm, but it seems asleep and has acquired the same consistency as foam or rubber. Your reflex: shake your arms and hands in order to make this feeling disappear. Fortunately, most people go through an episode of paresthesia temporary and quick.

How to explain this phenomenon ? The body exercises pressure on a nerve in the arm, who ends up “falling asleep”. Numbness follows the course of the nerve root that is involved. These cases of paresthesia are completely harmless, and usually the sensation disappears following changing position.

What disease causes arm numbness?

Certain conditions can cause numbness or tingling in the arms.

carpal tunnel syndrome

Very common, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in people whose work involves repetitive hand movements. Too much pressure on the median nerve, which runs through the arm, hand and wrist, causes pain and numbness. These symptoms tend to show up at night because we often sleep with our wrists bent.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are at risk of nerve damage: diabetic neuropathy. It occurs when high levels of sugar and fat in the blood damage nerve endings. Diabetic neuropathy usually causes numbness and tingling in the feet and legs, although it can also affect the arms and hands.

Vitamin B deficiency

Vitamin B deficiencies can cause different problems, including anemia and tingling to ends. It can be easy to confuse this tingling sensation with arms falling asleep, the site says. Medical News Today (source 1).

Other factors causing a “sleeping” arm

other factors can cause nerve damage causing the arms, hands, legs or feet to feel sleepy. They include:

  • Certain types of injuries;
  • Alcohol use disorders;
  • Autoimmune disorders;
  • Taking certain medications;
  • Bone marrow disorders;
  • Infections;
  • Tumors;
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS);
  • A cerebrovascular accident (CVA);
  • Other peripheral neuropathies.

Numb arm during the night: what are the solutions?

Most arm numbness is harmless and go by themselvesespecially if they are caused by a bad position during sleep. In some cases, certain habits can help prevent numbness:

  • If it is the carpal tunnel syndrome, a splint and exercises are usually enough to solve the problem;
  • If it is the diabetes, medical care is essential to manage the disease as well as possible;
  • If it is a vitamin B deficiencya doctor can prescribe supplements or advise dietary changes to overcome this deficiency.

When to worry regarding arm numbness?

Anyone who suspects that their paresthesia is the result of underlying medical conditionof a medication or a alcohol use disorder should see a doctor.

Some warning signs of a stroke require calling 15 or 112. If a person notices this feeling of numbness frequently, they may need medical attention, especially if she also feels:

  • Visual disturbances;
  • Numbness or tingling in the face;
  • Difficulty speaking;
  • Difficulty in coordination (when walking for example);
  • Sudden unexplained weakness or pain.

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#Arm #numb #night #paresthesia

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