The unpleasant numbness of the hands and the subsequent goosebumps - almost every one of us has experienced feelings. Someone felt it after a long sleep, others - after spending many hours in the same position. This should not be a concern if it happens only occasionally, and the sensitivity in the hands quickly returns. If the numbness of the hands worries too often or it is not possible to get rid of it - the advice of a specialist is necessary, it can be dangerous.
Numbness of the hands - causes
Numbness of the hands can occur spontaneously or develop gradually, each time increasing and overgrowing with additional symptoms. Among the most common causes of this phenomenon are the following:
1. Osteochondrosis
Compression of blood vessels and nerve roots in this disease disrupts blood circulation. Loss of sensation of the hands is caused by a cervical type of ailment, numbness is observed already at its first stage. Bone growths, which appear on the second, only exacerbate the problem. At the beginning of the disease, only fingers numbness is characteristic, the hand itself becomes impotent and loses the ability of normal compression. To get rid of numb hands, it is necessary to restore normal blood circulation.
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome (SCC)
The carpal (carpal) canal passes from the forearm to the hand, it contains the median nerve and flexor tendons. The first sign of the disease is numbness of the fingers - the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring fingers "obey" the median nerve. Various reasons that cause a decrease in the lumen of the channel and squeezing the nerve, provoke the appearance of HSC. With the development of the disease, numbness spreads to the entire hand, and along the median nerve pain arises. The numbness of the hands deprives the patient of a restful sleep - he rubs his hands all night to get rid of the unpleasant sensation. With the progression of the disease, the muscle of the thumb gradually atrophies, making it impossible to take or hold something with a sore hand. Computer gamers, active needlewomen, knitters, musicians and drivers, draftsmen and artists are subject to the disease.
3. Raynaud's Disease
The disease is characterized by a pathological violation of the activity of arterioles (small arteries). Located in the fingers of the limbs, they spasm, causing a feeling of cold and numbness. A spasm that lasts for several minutes or even hours causes a change in the color of the skin - from pale to bluish. The pain is rare, but numbness, tingling and burning sensation is almost always observed. Particularly long spasms, often repeated, can lead to irreversible skin changes and the appearance of ulcers. Representatives of the beautiful half of humanity are most susceptible to the disease - chilly whitening fingers can be the result of constant washing dishes with cold water or ignoring the wearing of gloves in winter.
4. Inconvenient posture during sleep
Numbness of the hands, associated with an uncomfortable posture during sleep, is quite common. As a rule, the unpleasant feeling passes soon after awakening. To do this, just move your hand, restoring normal blood circulation. If a positive effect is not achieved, you should consult a doctor.
Interesting fact! Many experts are well aware of the "symptom of the wedding night." The head of the beloved on the shoulder of his chosen one is able to interfere with its blood flow and lead to numbness of the hand. The situation is exacerbated by the adoption of alcohol, which reduces the threshold of sensitivity, and the couple sleeps in this position for a long time. To restore the functioning of the nerves in some cases no longer possible.
Numbness of the left hand
Sometimes the numbness of the hands is manifested only on the one hand, which for the doctor is an important indication in the diagnosis. If the left hand is constantly numb, it can be a symptom of the following diseases:
- Ischemic heart disease - numbness of the left hand is caused by one of the forms of its manifestation - angina pectoris. Sensitivity, along with discomfort in the chest, is lost in the shoulder, forearm and hand. Make a small test - if numbness appears after any physical exertion and disappears without a trace at rest, most likely it is a sign of angina pectoris.
- Myocardial infarction - sometimes numbness of the left hand is the very first sign of a terrible condition. With a heart attack, numbness is accompanied by pain, does not disappear at rest and is not relieved by nitroglycerin, unlike angina pectoris.
- Stroke - the numbness of the left hand in this case indicates a lesion of the right hemisphere of the brain. Concomitant symptoms - a combination of left leg and left arm dysfunction, speech and vision problems. With microstroke signs are not so pronounced and may disappear after taking the medication. However, the danger remains, therefore, with the above manifestations it is necessary to inform the doctor about them.
- Atherosclerosis - narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the left arm, leads to impotence and numbness of the left arm. Confirming factor in the presence of the disease is the increased symptoms in the position when the hand is in a raised position.
In addition, the numbness of the left hand, as well as the numbness of the right hand, can cause:
- osteochondrosis;
- carrying a weighty backpack or bag on one shoulder;
- tight clothing;
- long-lasting action requiring the hand to be raised;
- inflammation of the brachial nerve;
- work at the computer;
- vitamin B12 deficiency.
Treatment of numbness of the left hand should be carried out only in the hospital. Do not neglect the doctor's appointments, the consequences can be very dire.
Numbness of the right hand
In addition to common causes, the numbness of the right hand can be caused by the development of multiple sclerosis, a pre-stroke condition, and a shoulder injury. Unpleasant feelings in a dream can signal the incorrect functioning of internal organs, congestion and adhesions, the consequences of pneumonia and the presence of uterine fibroids. An urgent consultation with a doctor will help to reliably identify the cause and take the necessary measures.
Numbness of hands - diagnosis
Even if the unpleasant signs of impaired blood circulation and numbness of the hands are gone, it is simply necessary to consult a doctor. Modern methods of research can effectively diagnose the disease that caused the numbness of the hands. First of all, the doctor confirms or refutes the presence of osteochondrosis, as the most common cause. Radiography and nuclear magnetic resonance scanning will accurately determine the presence of bone growths, reduction of the intervertebral cervical disk, and sometimes the prolapse of the nucleus of the disk or the presence of an intervertebral hernia.
The neurologist prescribes a survey of brain activity, the functioning of the nervous system, the state of the vessels. Usually, an ultrasound examination is performed for this, rheoencephalography and tomography are done, and a blood test for cholesterol is taken for examination. In conjunction with the examination and collection of anamnesis, the results of the survey allow us to make the correct diagnosis. There is no single method for getting rid of hands numbness, first of all, therapy should be aimed at eliminating the causes that caused it.
Hand numbness - treatment
Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive treatment. Most often, along with medication, used:
- physiotherapy - electrophoresis, laser, microcurrent effect, ultrasound. Procedures help to activate the peripheral blood circulation, improve the nutrition of tissues in the area of hand numbness, affect the pathology of drugs, give a biostimulating effect;
- remedial gymnastics - special exercises help develop joints and muscles, strengthen them. As a result of physical activity significantly improved trophic tissues;
- manual exposure - helps to remove inflammation syndromes, improves blood flow, relieves spasms;
- reflexotherapy (acupuncture) - restores the activity of the nervous system and helps to improve the innervation of the extremities.
Numbness of the hands - treatment of folk remedies
In the event that hand numbness is not associated with serious diseases, some simple tips and secrets of traditional medicine will help to get rid of it:
- moderate exercise in the form of morning exercises, long walks improve blood circulation. When numb hands helps simple exercise - lying on the couch, raise your hands up and actively shake them. After a short rest, press the cams, it can be done at any convenient time;
- Contrast baths help a lot; your hands should go to each of the vessels five times;
- having immersed your hands in a basin with hot water, press the finger on the bottom of it as hard as possible with each finger;
- a glass of ordinary warm water, drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, perfectly strengthens the vessels;
- They say that a woolen thread tied at the wrist helps to get rid of the frequent numbness of the hands.
- take one kilogram of celery and parsley, add two lemons and 250 g of honey. Using a blender or meat grinder, make a homogeneous mixture and eat 2–3 tablespoons of time-tested medication on an empty stomach in the morning;
- compresses from warm pumpkin porridge eliminate numbness of the hands and improve blood circulation;
- shredded eggshells help older people to get rid of hand numbness. A teaspoon of powder is added to food or simply washed down with a glass of warm water;
- numbness with strong pain relieves compresses and baths from the following mixture: 2 liters of milk, 1 liter of water, 600 grams of salt and 50 grams of honey. Heat to 60 degrees. It is necessary to do 15 procedures;
- 1/3 cup of flax seed pour a liter of water and bring to a boil. On the smallest fire soar the mixture for two hours. Insist and strain. The resulting "jelly" lasts for 5 days, drinking before meals in the morning and in the evening for a third glass, the course is two weeks. After three months, repeat the treatment.
Hand Numb - Prevention
So that the numbness of the hands never annoys you with its not very comfortable manifestations, you should take care of your health and avoid risk factors:
- Dress according to the weather, do not ignore gloves in slushy and frosty weather;
- Give up smoking and alcohol - except for problems, they will not give you anything. You should also refrain from overly spicy and salty foods; diversify the menu with vegetables and fruits;
- if you are a fan of computer games or a profession associated with prolonged sitting and an uncomfortable body position - take regular breaks, use them to perform simple exercises;
- more walk, relax, engage in available sports.
Do not disregard the numbness of the hands, and in the presence of additional severe symptoms, immediately call an ambulance.
