Do your hands start to tingle at night and become numb? Here you can find out why this could be and what you can do about it.
Table of contents
- This is what happens when limbs fall asleep
- Most likely reason: posture
- Hands fall asleep at night: possible diseases
- Is it harmful if your hands fall asleep?
You too have probably had a numb foot or a numb hand. Often it is only when you feel the tingling sensation that you realize that you have twisted yourself strangely while sitting or that you are sitting on your own hands. At night, when you want to sleep, the feeling is of course doubly unpleasant.
The unpleasant pricking sensation often occurs in the arms, legs, hands and feet, but in theory it is possible anywhere. Where does it come from? And how do you get rid of it?
This is what happens when limbs fall asleep
The cause of hands or feet falling asleep (“transient paraesthesia”) is as simple as it is logical. TheNDRexplains: There are nerve pathways throughout our body through which the brain transmits impulses to the muscles. This is how we can move.
But if these nerves are now clamped, they cannot transmit these signals. This means that the affected limbs, such as the hand, are cut off from the brain, which now assumes that they no longer exist. The body part becomes numb.
As soon as we change the sitting position, the nerves are no longer crushed. Communication with the brain is sluggish for a short time, but then it gets better and better. The tingling pain that plagues those affected comes from the nerves, which signal that they are “ready for action” again.
Most likely reason: posture
So much for the theory behind the “asleep” hands or feet. But where does that annoying tingling sensation come from at night? This could be due to your posture.
The wrong sleeping position
The first explanation is also the simplest: You are lying in the wrong bed! If you take a bad sleeping position, the pressure may pinch a nerve or interrupt blood circulation. Your hands fall asleep - and you wake up.
What helps? TheSleep Foundationrecommends:
- Change your sleeping position.
- Try not to lie on your arms, like when you like to tuck them under the pillow.
- Side sleepers should make sure to keep their hands in a neutral position and switch sides every now and then.
- If you sleep on your back and stretch your arms up, you should try to let your arms lie next to you on the mattress more often.
- Shake and stretch your arms, hands, and wrists before going to bed.
- Also special wrist supports (like this one from Amazon*) can be useful. They stabilize your wrist and thus avoid certain strains.
Tense muscles
If the muscles are cramped, tension is often the result. But it can also cause an unpleasant feeling of numbness! For example, if the neck is very tense. Incorrect posture during the day can lead to problems at night.
A few stretching exercises will help loosen the muscles. Massages or warm compresses are also often useful.
Hands fall asleep at night: possible diseases
In addition to incorrect posture, there could also be much more serious causes behind your tingling hands. Some are listed here:
carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
According to theGerman Society for NeurologyHands that fall asleep are a very typical sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerves become trapped in the wrist tunnel, the “carpal tunnel”. If the syndrome is not treated promptly, it can have serious consequences.
With this disease, the tingling sensation occurs primarily at night or in the early hours of the morning, which has a huge impact on sleep. By moving your hands, for example by hanging them out of bed, the discomfort quickly disappears.
There are different treatment methods depending on the severity of the syndrome. In the worst case, carpal tunnel surgery is necessary. It's best to talk to your doctor about this.
Vitamin-B-12 Deficiency
Yes, sleeping hands can (in rare cases) also be a sign of vitamin deficiency. The pharmacologist Prof. Joachim Schmidt told theSociety for Biofactors e. v.: “Neurological disorders are often the earliest and sometimes the only clinical symptoms of a functional vitamin B-12 deficiency.” According to the professor, this would also include “asleep” hands or feet.
Vitamin B-12 is mainly found in animal foods. Certain groups should pay attention to their care, including:
- Vegans and vegetarians
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- People with gastrointestinal diseases
Polyneuropathien
If it sounds complicated, it is. Polyneuropathies are diseases of the nerves. These disorders can cause numbness, tingling or even pain. The illness must be clarified by a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.
There are an enormous number of different triggers for the clinical picture. Neurologist Dr. Gunther Karlbauer explains in an interview withPharmacy look aroundHowever: “In many cases it isDiabetesthe cause of polyneuropathy”.
Other possible triggers
In addition to the causes of tingling hands listed above, a whole range of other things can be responsible, such as:
- migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Metabolic disorders
- Thyroid problems
- Herniated disc
- Medication
It is therefore always advisable to consult a doctor if symptoms occur for a long time or more frequently. You can talk together about the possible cause.
Important: In the worst case scenario, it could also be a stroke, especially if other symptoms such as paralysis occur. Then the emergency doctor must be called immediately!
Is it harmful if your hands fall asleep?
That depends on how often, how long and to what extent your hand falls asleep. And of course it also plays a role as to what triggers the symptoms.
Do you sleep crookedly and therefore squeeze your nerves for a short time? Then you probably don't have to worry. If the pressure disappears quickly, it does not cause any lasting damage - even if the discomfort makes it difficult to sleep.
Things are different if the numbness doesn't go away on its own, severe pain occurs or other problems arise, for example when you want to lift objects. Those affected should then contact a doctor.
The following applies: If in doubt, seek medical advice!The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis.
