Numbness and tingling in the arms and hands could be symptomatic of one of several conditions. The severity of the symptoms varies, corresponding to the range of severity of the conditions they represent. Although the symptoms could signal any one of quite a large range of problems, they are invariably a sign that you need to consult a medical practitioner as soon as possible. Whatever the cause may be, it is usually easily treatable, provided you seek care promptly. Numbness and tingling in the hands may indicate one of the following:
Poor Sitting or Standing Habits:
It may be a simple case of your body telling you that you’re spending far too long sitting in front of your computer every day. Typing and texting for long periods of time or too repetitively can also be a cause of these symptoms. These repetitive activities can lead to strain of the wrist or arm and even nerve damage in the wrist, resulting in conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome and or tunnel of Guyon syndrome.
A Neural Injury:
You may have sustained an injury to a nerve in your hand, arm or wrist. You may not even be aware of it, but the tingling or numbness is warning you of the damage.
Diabetes:
Chronic blood sugar level problems can lead to peripheral neuropathy, in other words, damage to nerves in the hands and feet. This is, in fact, the most common complication of diabetes, and can lead to constant pins-and-needles or a complete loss of sensation.
Pinched Spinal Nerve Due to Herniated or Bulging Vertebral Disc: This is way more common than you think. Poor spinal alignment due to prior injuries, poor posture, and repetitive motion trauma can lead to pressure on spinal discs and pinching of delicate nerves which can travel from the spine into the arms and hands, creating disturbances.
A Number of Other Causes:
Several other conditions, ranging from alcohol use disorder to multiple sclerosis can also manifest in the form of tingling hands and arms.
While some of these causes are more serious conditions that will need to be treated by relevant specialists, tingling or numbness in the hands is most often a result of something minor and easily solved. Where they are related to headaches or bulging spinal discs, a doctor can provide effective treatment. If you experience these symptoms, contact the Head and Neck Centers of Excellence. We can most likely treat the problem without the need for drugs or surgery.
