It’s not uncommon to wake up with numb hands.
Plenty of individuals have this sensation at one or another time.
Sleeping in some positions which pressure the hand or arm is a common reason for a tingling and numb sensation that goes away after repositioning and waking up.
But, this isn’t the only reason. In other cases, numb hands may signal some medical health problem so you need to be cautious of other symptoms as well.
What Are the Possible Causes of Waking Up with Numb Hands?
- Sleeping position
The pressure on the hands from an improper sleeping posture is a common cause of waking up with numbness in the hands.
It may occur after sleeping on the arm or hand due to nerve pressure. The short-term lack of blood flow may cause a tingling sensation too.
By changing the position, you can alleviate this unpleasant feeling.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
A deficiency of vitamin B12 may be triggered by several factors.
And, it may cause a tingling sensation and numbness in the hands, as well as a reduction in appetite, foot discomfort, and weak muscles.
This is because it’s a pivotal vitamin for a healthy brain and central nervous system, as well as for the synthesis of DNA.
- Diabetes mellitus
This chronic illness causes a high level of sugar in the blood.
Around 50 percent of all people with diabetes will experience some type of nerve damage associated with painful, numb, and weak hands.
- Nerve damage
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nervous system which receives and sends signals between our central nervous system and the rest of our body.
There are more than 100 types of nerve damage. The symptoms vary and depend on the affected nerves.
Often, it can trigger sharp and stabbing pain, tingling, and numbness.
- Neck spondylosis
This condition is caused by wear and tear of the spinal disks in the neck that come with age.
This may trigger osteoarthritis signs like bulging disks and bone spurs. These can make the cervical spine space narrower and pressure the nerve root or spinal cord.
This causes arm and hand tingling. It may also cause numb legs and feet, but also stiffness in the neck and neck pain.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
This syndrome is a result of compression on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. This is the narrow passage on the front of our wrist.
The most common signs of this syndrome are numbness and tingling. Weak grip strength is another symptom.
This syndrome may be caused by repetitive hand movements like typing on a keyboard or using machinery, as well as wrist trauma and obesity.
- Ganglion cyst
This is a non-cancerous lump that may grow along the tendons and joints of the wrists and hands.
If it’s pressing a nerve, it may cause hand numbness.
It may also cause pain when pressed or weaken joint movement. Most of these cysts go away without treatment.
Sources: