Do you know what are the causes of numbness in the arms, hands and feet? The truth is that it is very common, but sometimes it can be a symptom of something more serious.
It is quite likely that you agree with us when we say that there is nothing more unpleasant than feeling cramps or numbness in our hands and feet, although it is true that this numbness can actually occur with any part of the body.
In any case, it is extremely common for them to appear on the arms, hands, legs and feet.
The sensation is even more unpleasant at night, when we are suddenly awakened by a sudden sensation of tingling and numbness in one of the two hands, even having the sensation that we do not feel it or that we simply cannot move it as we would like.
When any part of our body falls asleep, it is common for us to later feel symptoms such as tingling, prickling sensations in the skin and muscles like needles or pins, and pain.
The numbness of the hands and feet is something absolutely normal, which occurs when we are in a bad position and we prevent the blood from flowing normally. But on other occasions its causes are not so normal and can even become a symptom of a disorder or disease.
In fact, depending on whether it is an arm or a leg, its causes are different.
What are the causes of numbness in the hands?
Bad position
It is the most common, normal and habitual cause. It appears when we stay in the same position for a long time, or when we find ourselves in a bad position, which prevents the blood from flowing normally.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
It is another common and usual cause, which consists of the existence of excessive pressure on the median nerve, which allows both sensitivity and movement to different parts of the hand. This is what is medically known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
This syndrome can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness, as well as muscle damage in the hand and fingers. It is the thumb, index and middle fingers that tend to be most affected by this syndrome.
Certain job tasks
Certain jobs can influence our hands to go numb more often, especially those tasks that involve forced flexion and extension of the wrist.
Also tasks that require the use of a lot of force, or the use of tools that vibrates or presses persistently on the wrist or the base of the palm of the hand.
Neurovascular impingement syndrome may appear, causing pain in the shoulder, arm and hand, and arises especially in people who carry dead weights, with the consequent muscle stretching.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
A deficiency of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, can cause numbness in the hands and arms. In addition, they also tend to cause other symptoms such as tiredness, drowsiness and pale skin.
Intervertebral disc injury
Numbness and numbness of the hands can occur when an intervertebral disc herniates, thereby compressing a nerve. Of course, this condition is characterized by being generally slow and progressive, which gradually increases in intensity.
It is common for the pain to start at the back of the neck, continue to the shoulder, spread to the arm and finally end up in the hand.
What to do when faced with numbness in the hands and arms?
First of all, do not worry: in most cases it is something absolutely normal, which disappears after a few minutes as soon as we manage to recover the mobility of the numb member.
In the event that the numbness of the hands is as a result of some work task, the compressive wristbands are tremendously useful and appropriate, since they will exert adequate pressure in order to protect the wrist from overloads.
It is also advisable to follow a balanced and varied diet to provide our body with the B vitamins that it needs so much. Above all, whole grains, fruits such as bananas, green leafy vegetables and fish such as tuna are recommended.
