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Waking up with numb hands.
Feeling like your fingers are “asleep.”
That tingling, prickly sensation — like pins and needlescrawling under your skin.
If you’ve experienced this before, you’re not alone.
Numbness or tingling in the hands can be caused by something as simple as sleeping on your arm , or it could point to a deeper issue involving your nerves, spine, or circulatory system.
Let’s explore what might be behind that strange sensation — and when you should take action.
🧠 Why Your Hands Go Numb: The Top 7 Reasons:
1. Pressure on the Nerves (Most Common):
Sleeping with your hand tucked under your head or lying on your arm can compress nerves like the ulnar or radial nerve , cutting off blood flow temporarily.
2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
This occurs when the median nerve in your wrist is compressed.
Common signs:
- Tingling in thumb, index, and middle fingers
- Worsens at night or during repetitive tasks
- Often mistaken for arthritis
🚨 Tip: If symptoms last longer than a week, see a doctor.
3. Pinched Nerve in the Neck (Cervical Radiculopathy):
A pinched nerve in the neck can cause hand numbness, shoulder pain , and even weakness in the arms.
It’s common among people who:
- Sit for long hours at a desk
- Carry heavy bags on one side
- Sleep in poor positions regularly
🧠 This is sometimes called a “cervical nerve pinch.”
4. Diabetes (Diabetic Neuropathy):
High blood sugar over time can damage nerves, especially in the extremities.
Signs:
- Gradual onset of tingling or burning
- Symptoms often begin in the feet but spread to hands
- Worse at night
🩺 If you have diabetes and frequent numbness, talk to your doctor about nerve health .
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