What Is Tingling In Hands?
If the hands tingle frequently, this could be because of an underlying condition. There are numerous causes of any tingling in the hands.
When a person sits or sleeps in an unusual position, a nerve may be compressed, resulting in tingling sensations in the hands. It commonly gets referred to as “pins and needles.” Others may feel as if ants are crawling on the hand. Some causes of tingling in the hand are more severe and may necessitate visit to a hand surgeon, proper assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
Tingling In Hands And Feet At Night
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet is an abnormal sensation that is caused by a variety of conditions. It is also known as paresthesia.
The most common cause is nerve compression, which occurs when you sleep on your arm. This result in the person waking up in the middle of night, shaking the hand .It may disturb the sleep to a great extent.
Tingling In Hands: Symptoms & Signs
Tingling in hands may occur in conjunction with numbness, pain, and several other symptoms, depending on the underlying cause and the affected nerve. The person may drop objects or have alteration in the hand writing. Several muscles over the thumb may waste.
What Are The Causes Of Tingling In Hands?
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of peripheral neuropathy, accounting for approximately 30% of cases. Tingling and other symptoms of diabetic neuropathy frequently begin in both feet and progress up the legs, followed by tingling and other symptoms that affect both hands and progress up the arms. Approximately two-thirds of people with diabetes have mild to severe nerve damage.
1. Entrapment syndromes of the nerves
Entrapment of the nerve by far remains the most common cause of tingling and numbness in the hand and feet. Carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve palsy, radial nerve palsy, and peroneal nerve palsy are a few examples. The nerve gets trapped in narrow anatomical passages within the body, which effectively compresses them.
2. Systemic illnesses
Systemic illnesses that cause tingling in the hands and feet are kidney and liver disease, vascular damage and blood diseases, amyloidosis, connective tissue disorders and chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances (including hypothyroidism), and cancers and benign tumors that impinge on nerves.
3. Deficiencies in vitamins
You need vitamins E, B1, B6, B12, and niacin for healthy nerves. A B12 deficiency, for example, can cause pernicious anemia – a major cause of peripheral neuropathy. However, too much B6 can cause tingling in the hands and feet.
4. Alcoholism
People with alcoholism have poor dietary habits and are more likely to be deficient in thiamine – a common cause of peripheral neuropathy). It’s also possible that alcoholism can cause nerve damage, also known as alcoholic neuropathy.
5. Toxins
Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and thallium are examples, as are some industrial and environmental chemicals. They also include certain medications, particularly chemotherapy drugs used to treat lung cancer, as well as some antiviral and antibiotic medications.
6. Infections
Lyme disease, shingles (varicella-zoster), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex, and HIV and AIDS.
7. Autoimmune disorders
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Genetic disorders
These include a group with sensory and motor symptoms; the most common type is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
9. Injuries
Nerve pain is frequently associated with trauma, as nerves can be compressed, crushed, or damaged in other ways. A herniated disc or a dislocated bone are two examples of nerve compression.
10. Multiple sclerosis (MS)
The disease causes your immune system to attack the fatty myelin sheath that wraps around nerve fibers throughout your body. A common symptom is tingling in the hands and feet.
Diagnosis For Tingling In Hands
If you visit a hand surgeon for an unexplained tingling in your hands or feet, they may ask for several tests to aid in their diagnosis.
They could use:
- A physical examination that may include a neurological analysis to assess your reflexes and motor power or sensory function.
- A review of your medical history, during which they will inquire about your symptoms, any preexisting conditions you may have, and any medications you are currently taking.
- Blood testing. It will allow the doctor to assess the levels of certain chemicals, vitamins, or hormones in your blood, your organ function.
- 4Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds.
- A nerve function test, such as nerve conduction velocity tests or electromyography.
Treatment For Tingling Hands
What causes the tingling in your hands and feet will determine the treatment. Following a diagnosis by a hand surgeon, your healthcare professional will discuss with you and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Blood sugar control in diabetes can help keep diabetic neuropathy from worsening, and vitamin supplements can correct peripheral neuropathy in vitamin deficient people.
Some treatment options may include one or more of the following:
- Adjusting the dosage of an existing medication or switching to an alternative medication.
- Vitamin supplementation.
- Modifying diabetes management.
- Treating underlying medical conditions such as an thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus.
- Surgery to relieve nerve compression.
Tingling In Hands After Exercise
The ulnar nerve runs along the back of your arm, just behind your elbow, through the outside of your wrist, and into your hand – a blow to the ulnar nerve causes the tingling sensation you feel when you hit your “funny bone.”
Pressure on the nerve can cause numbness from your shoulder to your pinky, resulting in tingling hands after exercise. Avoid exercises that require you to lift your arm while bearing weight with your elbow bent for a prolonged period, which can irritate the nerve. Tight grips on cardio machine handrails, poor form when lifting weights, and inadequate cushioning in gloves are all common culprits. Relax your grip and buy weightlifting gloves with extra cushioning in the heel of your hand.
When To See A Doctor For Tingling In Hands?
If the tingling in your hands is only temporary and occurs under certain conditions, take note of when and where it occurs? A one-time occurrence may not be cause for concern, especially if the tingling is brief.
If the tingling occurs frequently, it is best to seek the advice of a hand surgeon. If any of the following symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately:
- Other parts of your body are numb.
- Paralysis.
- Dizziness.
- Confusion.
- Speech, if it gets slurred.
What Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Tingling In Hands?
Tingling in the hands or feet can be caused by a lack of vitamins B-1, B-6, B-12, or niacin. These vitamins are essential for proper nerve function. A lack of vitamin B-12 can result in peripheral neuropathy. Dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, digestive problems, chest pain, nausea, or an enlarged liver are other symptoms. Vitamin deficiencies can get treated with a healthier diet or dietary supplements.
Can Blood Pressure Medicine Cause Tingling In Hands?
Some prescription drugs frequently cause nerve problems as a side effect. Chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, and certain infections can all cause weakness or numbness in your hands and feet. Consult your doctor to determine whether your medication is to blame.
Can Diabetes Cause Tingling In Hands And Feet?
The most common cause of numb or tingly hands and feet is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar. Other symptoms of untreated diabetes may occur. You may be thirsty, pee frequently, or your breath may smell fruity. Your doctor can perform a blood test to determine if you have diabetes. If you do, they’ll tell you how to slow or stop potential nerve damage and keep it from worsening.
Can High Blood Pressure Cause Tingling In Hands?
High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes can both cause kidney failure. When your kidneys aren’t working well, fluid and waste products can build up in your body, causing nerve damage.
Can Statins Cause Tingling in Hands and Feet?
Statins can cause muscle weakness (myopathy), loss of sensation, or tingling in the nerve endings in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). According to the Danish study, people who took statins were 14 times more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy than people who did not take statins.
Can Antibiotics Cause Tingling in Hands and Feet?
In rare cases, antibiotics can disable, long-lasting, or permanent side effects on the joints, muscles, and nervous system. Stop taking antibiotics immediately and consult your doctor if you experience severe side effects such as tendon, muscular, or joint pain – usually in the knee, elbow, or shoulder – or tingling, numbness, or pins and needles.
Can Anxiety Cause Tingling in Hands and Feet?
Anxiety can cause numbness in a variety of ways. During panic attacks, blood vessels constrict, raising heart rate and blood pressure. It reduces blood flow to various body parts, particularly the hands and feet, potentially causing tingling, numbness, or a cold sensation.
Can Smoking Cause Tingling in Hands and Feet?
Smokers frequently report more severe symptoms. Tobacco use reduces blood flow to the microcirculation of the nerve.
Can Stress Cause Tingling in Hands and Feet?
Because stress causes the body’s muscles and arteries to tighten, an overly stressed body can cause blood flow to the hands to be restricted, resulting in a numb, tingling, and tingly sensation. If you find yourself stressed out recently, this could probably cause numbness or tingling in your hands.
Summary
Tingling in the hands is a common symptom of various medical conditions, including the peripheral nervous system. However, the tingling can be temporary and one-time, so it may not be a cause for concern. If you experience tingling in your hands regularly, consult a hand surgeon who will be able to determine the underlying cause and the appropriate treatment.
Meet with an Expert and Address Your Problem
Dr. P. Jindal at Pune Hand Surgery Clinic or Jindal academy for hand surgery will assist you and ensure that you receive appropriate treatment including if you have an injury, fracture, pain, or any other hand issue. You will be in good hands with best-in-class infrastructure and expertise. You can reach us at our phone number or use this form to schedule an appointment.
