It is normal to experience some numbness in your hands, especially if your hands have not been active and they have fallen asleep. Or you may be doing a strenuous activity that can easily provoke it. But if you can trace back the causes and the feeling comes back, then there is no need to worry.
However, there are times when you do need to take the numbness in your hands seriously and visit the doctor right away. There are 12 causes of numbness in your hands that you cannot ever ignore. Let’s talk about them.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
You need vitamin B12 to keep your nerves healthy, and you may not be maintaining the vitamin as this issue is quite common. However, if you are consistently deficient in the vitamin, it can cause nerve damage. You need to get your B12 levels checked and you might even need injections if you are struggling to absorb it.
Slipped Cervical Disc
A slipped cervical disc can put pressure on the nerves in your spine which can radiate down to your hands. This can cause numbness and weakness, There are treatments for herniated discs but you need to have an examination for it. Especially if you are dealing with numbness in your spine as well.
Raynaud’s Syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome is also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon and that is when your blood vessels become narrow which does not allow enough blood to reach your feet and your hands. Therefore, it can cause numbness. It can also cause pain, and it happens when you are stressed for cold. Have your doctor check for this issue as there are treatments for it.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens after doing repetitive tasks such as typing or factory work causes the tissues in your wrist to become swollen. Therefore, the nerves are affected and you can experience numbness as well in your hands. You may need surgical treatment if it is severe. However, your doctor may want to put a brace on your wrist first to see if that heals the tissues.
Cubital Tunnel
There is a nerve that runs from the pinkie fingers to the neck and that is the ulnar nerve which is the same one if you hit the funny bone. If this nerve becomes too stretched or compressed from activities you do as well as poor posture, then you can begin to experience numbness in the hands. You may feel the numbness and weakness the most in the pinkie finger, and in your arm as well.
Cervical Spondylosis
There is a type of arthritis that has an impact on your discs in your neck and it is called cervical spondylosis. Wear and tear damage on the spine is the result of this condition and the vertebrate that is pressed will cause stress to the nerves nearby and be the cause for numbness in your hands. You may have other symptoms such as poor balance, headaches, and hearing a popping sound as you move your neck. You will need physical therapy for helping you treat this condition.
Ganglion Cysts
If you have ganglion cysts, that will cause hand numbness, as well as they, are fluid-filled cysts that grow on the wrists, hands, and joints. These cysts can cause numbness in hands and even though they are benign, you will want to have them drained.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious disease where blood sugar levels are out of control due to the lack of insulin or non-responsive insulin. It can be caused by weight gain, poor cardiovascular health, and an unhealthy diet that is high in sugar and simple carbs. Eventually, as diabetes progresses, it can cause numbness in your hands and in other parts of the body.
Other symptoms such as extreme thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue result from uncontrolled diabetes. Diabetes can be controlled with medication, and in extreme cases, insulin, as well as a modified and low-carb diet.
Thyroid Conditions
The thyroid that is located in your neck is your body furnace and responsible for your metabolism. However, it can be underactive or overactive, and it shows in the thyroid hormone levels. You will feel cold and struggle to lose weight if it is underactive, or you will rapidly lose weight even if you consume a high number of calories and you will sweat all of the time if it is overactive. If your thyroid is underactive, it can also cause nerve damage and it is known as peripheral neuropathy. It causes numbness and weakness in your hands, arms, and legs, and it needs prompt treatment from a doctor.
Alcohol-Related Neuropathy
If you drink too much alcohol, it does not only damage your liver. It can damage your nerves as well. This is when you will experience numbness and weakness in your hands, feet, and other parts of the body. You will also feel sensations of pins and needles, muscle cramps as well as spasms, and problems with controlling urination.
If you have consistent numbness in your hands with other symptoms that match any of these conditions, you cannot let it go and ignore it. It does not have to be too late for you to worsen if you get prompt treatment.
