What causes numbness and pain in hands?

If you maintain a posture for a long time, your hands and feet may become numb and tingling. This is caused by obstructed blood circulation. The discomfort will disappear after proper exercise and it does not cause any harm to the body. So what is the cause of this symptom if it occurs frequently?

Compression of nerves in the neck or back

Stanley Ayendri, assistant professor of neuromuscular medicine at Ohio State University, explains that if pain and tingling radiate from the neck to the arms or from the back to the feet, it may be due to nerve compression caused by vertebral injury, poor posture or underlying medical conditions (such as arthritis). When seeing a doctor, patients should tell their doctor in detail when the symptoms began and how they progress.

Vitamin deficiency

If the tingling occurs in both hands (rather than just one), a vitamin B12 deficiency may be to blame. If accompanied by symptoms of fatigue and drowsiness, you may have anemia. If blood tests confirm that you do have this problem, taking a vitamin B12 supplement or injection should resolve the tingling in your hands and feet.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

People who type a lot or use power tools all the time are prone to this symptom. Repetitive motion or vibration can eventually pinch the nerves in your wrists, causing tingling in your hands. Electromyography and ultrasound are often helpful in diagnosis. Once diagnosed, changes in daily activities may be necessary. Other treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and even surgery.

Spinal stenosis

Esther Young, a neurologist at Beaumont Health in Michigan, explained that the narrow space in the cervical or spinal canal can compress the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing tingling in the limbs. Imaging tests (MRI or CT) can diagnose the stenosis, and treatment may be with physical therapy, epidural injections, or surgery, depending on the severity of the pain.

diabetes

Whether you have diabetes or insulin resistance (a common early form of diabetes), high blood sugar is a toxin to the nerves, causing numbness and tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), just like wearing gloves. If you also experience excessive thirst, hunger, or frequent urination, you may have diabetic nerve damage and need to have a fasting blood sugar test or a glycated hemoglobin test. Lifestyle changes and medications can help control diabetes.

Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid gland can cause symptoms such as tingling, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, unexplained weight gain, dry skin, and hair loss. A blood test can easily diagnose whether you actually have a thyroid problem and whether you need to take thyroid hormone if necessary.

Multiple sclerosis

If you experience weakness along with numbness or tingling, double vision, clumsiness, or problems with bladder or bowel control, multiple sclerosis may be the culprit. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests can show characteristic plaques or scars in a person's brain or spinal cord. There are several drugs that can treat the symptoms of MS and slow the progression of the disease.