Numbness, which can be defined as a change in sensation and sensation, is an important health problem that can cause the person to not be able to feel the numb body area. In the presence of numbness in the form of tingling, stinging, burning or pain, the person may have difficulty feeling the numb area.
What is Hand Numbness?
Numbness that can be felt in one or both hands, patients described as tingling, pins and needles, loss of sensation, and/or electric shock. Arm-hand numbness is one of the most common complaints and these complaints can be felt in the whole hand, on the upper part of the hand, in the palm or part of the fingers.
Hand numbness may occur due to neurological, orthopedic and cardiological reasons. For this reason, when a physician is consulted with the complaint of hand numbness, the physician first examines the person to investigate the cause of the numbness. Many different diseases such as diseases, tumor presence, peripheral arterial diseases, ulnar groove syndrome, vitamin B12 deficiency and muscle spasm can also cause hand numbness.
The condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common cause of hand numbness. In the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be seen in one or both hands, numbness is observed in the thumb, index and middle fingers of the person. . Complaints such as numbness, tingling and burning usually occur at night, and these complaints can be so severe that the person wakes up from sleep.
When carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a progressive disease, is not treated, the person's complaints increase and cause additional symptoms such as weakness. One of the frequently asked questions is "What are the causes of hand numbness?"
What Causes Hand Numbness?
In some cases, the person may not feel the numb area as a part of their body. In other words, the numb area can cause a feeling as if it does not exist in the body. ir. Hand and foot numbness is one of the most common numbness. Numbness, especially in the hand area, may be felt as an electric shock in addition to the burning and tingling sensation. Hand-matching can happen on one hand or both hands. The feeling of numbness can occur during movements that require manual dexterity, such as writing, using a vehicle or tool, or during a part of the day. "What causes hand numbness?" or "How's the handshake?" Before answering common questions like "What is hand numbness?" It is necessary to answer the question. Numbness may develop due to deformation of the wrist after repetitive movements. Doing repetitive movements such as constantly working with the keyboard and mouse, shaking the carpet, wiping the floor, knitting for a long time causes the nerve bonds passing through the inner part of the wrist to thicken and the pressure to increase in the channel through which the nerves pass.
In such cases. The feeling of drowsiness, which starts with a mild intensity at night, increases over time and may cause the person to not be able to sleep or wake up from sleep. Hand numbness due to nerve compressions passing through the elbow area is usually seen in people who work by placing their elbows on the table for a long time. Some of the discomforts that cause hand numbness can be listed as follows:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The region on the wrist, which has a structure resembling a tunnel, is defined as the carpal tunnel. In the inner part of this tunnel, which is located between the bones and tissues of the hand, there are ten different anatomical formations, especially the median nerve. The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers and provides contraction of the thumb. In the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome, the ligaments and tendons in the tunnel swell and press on the median nerve.
In these cases, complaints such as pain and loss of sensation are common in addition to the numbness felt in two fingers. Depending on the role of the ulnar nerve in motor skills, in the presence of Guyon's canal syndrome, the motor skills of the person are also lost. The discomfort, which can cause pain and loss of sensation in the inner part of the wrist, can lead to weakness in the thumb and index finger muscles if not treated.
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: The ulnar nerve passes between the two bone protrusions in the elbow. The nerve is located in this region extremely close to the surface. Therefore, the ulnar nerve can be easily exposed to trauma and pressure in the elbow region. The discomfort caused by compression of the ulnar nerve during its passage through the elbow is characterized by symptoms such as tingling in the little finger and ring finger, loss of sensation, weakness in the hand muscles, decreased grip strength, and coordination difficulties.
Painting work, guitar The discomfort, which is common in people who deal with jobs that require the elbow to be folded for a long time, such as stealing, may also develop due to thickening of the soft tissue around the elbow, bone growth or trauma. ischemia, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, bone fractures, some infections and drug use may also cause hand numbness. In this respect, "What causes hand finger numbness?" only one question There is no answer.
Can Hand Numbness Be Prevented?
Avoiding work that forces elbows, wrists and hands is one of the leading measures that can be taken to prevent discomfort that causes hand numbness. If it is necessary to bend the wrist continuously during the work, the wrist should be rested at certain intervals and excessive load on the wrist should be avoided. Actions such as shaking the carpet and wringing the laundry should be avoided as much as possible. Hand, wrist and finger muscles should be strengthened by performing exercises known as hand numbness exercises.
Hand numbness, tingling and loss of sensation may spread to the arm. A specialist physician should be examined without waiting for these complaints, which cause a significant decrease in the quality of life of the person, to go away on their own. Thus, the disease can be treated before the existing discomfort progresses and complaints increase.
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