Tingling in the hands is very common when nerves are pinched or otherwise damaged. However, for proper treatment, the causes that triggered the tingling in the hands must be found.
What is tingling in the hands?
Tingling in the hands is often presented as a numb feeling by patients, they feel as if thousands of ants are running over their hands. Medical professionals refer to tingling in the hands as paresthesia. This refers to a sensation that is not accompanied by pain. Tingling in the hands is also not caused by external stimuli. Tingling in the hands is often presented by patients as a numb feeling, it seems to them as if thousands of ants are running over the hands. Often it is damage to the nerves that leads to this numb feeling. They can occur both once and recurrently or even persist permanently. In addition to numbness, other sensory disturbances can accompany tingling in the hands. Circulatory disorders and inflammations are common causes of tingling in the hands.
Causes
The causes of tingling in the hands are varied, and circulatory disorders and damage to the nerves can be responsible. In cases of nerve damage, a nerve may be pinched and cause the tingling in the hands. There is also the possibility that the nerves are not sufficiently supplied with the necessary nutrients and in this way the tingling in the hands occurs. Examples of typical nerve damage include carpal tunnel syndrome, in which the carpal tunnel in the wrist is narrowed and pinches the nerves, or tendon sheath inflammation. Additionally, damage to the spine can cause nerves to become pinched, resulting in tingling in the hands. Other possible causes include diabetes disease, intoxication, and excessive alcohol consumption, which lead to nerve damage and thus tingling in the hands. More rarely, tingling occurs only in the left hand. In the worst case, this can be a harbinger of a heart attack. If the unilateral tingling in the hands occurs, the doctor should be consulted immediately.
Diseases with this symptom
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Polyneuropathy
- Tendonitis
- Mouse arm (RSI syndrome)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Heart attack
Diagnosis and course
The diagnosis in tingling in the hands depends on the causes, so to clarify the causes, various examinations should be performed. Blood tests can provide initial findings, but also the X-ray examination should not be left out. Overall, all imaging diagnostic procedures are possible to find the cause of tingling in the hands. Likewise, the physician can measure the nerve conduction velocity for diagnosis. It is also important to interview the patient. The aim here is to find out when the symptoms occur and whether all fingers, the entire hand or only individual areas are affected. The course of the disease, i.e. how long the tingling in the hands has been occurring and whether it is reduced or intensified by certain movements or behaviors, are also crucial. Only when the patient has answered all of these questions from the physician and the appropriate examinations have been performed can a definitive diagnosis for tingling in the hands be made.
Complications
Tingling in the hands is very uncomfortable and annoying. Often, people try to get rid of this disorder by shaking their hands intensively, but sometimes the first signs or triggers of serious diseases appear here. Dangerous hypoglycemia can quickly develop in patients with diabetes. If the patient also suffers from advanced diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease), the tingling sensation is sometimes barely noticeable or only to a limited extent. If this sign is not recognized in time, it can lead to circulatory disturbances, cramps and even unconsciousness, which can be a life-threatening condition. Furthermore, one-sided tingling of the hand suggests a circulatory disorder of the brain. A doctor should be consulted as soon as possible, as the occurrence is to be seen as a clear indication of a stroke.In particular, left-sided tingling, starting in the hand and spreading over the half of the body, is a harbinger of a heart attack. Depending on the condition, the hospital must be visited immediately or the emergency physician alerted! After hand surgery, most of the symptoms heal after a while. Sometimes complications occur, which remain in case of injuries of the median nerve with numbness and tingling in the hands. For allergy sufferers, insect bites are also very dangerous. For example, severe allergic reactions with nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath or shock can often develop after bee or wasp stings. The onset of an allergic reaction to insect venom is therefore already apparent immediately after contact with the insect by the typical tingling of the hands. To avoid a severe course of reaction, a medical doctor should be consulted immediately. People with knowledge of their insect allergy must immediately use their emergency kit.
When should you see a doctor?
The feeling of tingling in the hands can have many causes. Usually, a brief tingling sensation in the hands has harmless reasons. If the unpleasant feeling repeats or lasts longer than a few days, a doctor should be consulted. A common reason for tingling in the hands is carpal tunnel syndrome. This syndrome occurs more frequently when working in an office. This is because people who work with computers often pinch a nerve. The syndrome also occurs after illness or injury to the wrist. Those who suffer from diabetes may also suffer from diabetic nerve syndrome. In order for the condition to improve, medical treatment is necessary. Not only a nervous disorder due to diabetes can be behind the tingling in the hands. If the tingling is accompanied by a feeling of numbness, it may also be a primary disease of the nervous system. In young people, multiple sclerosis is a possible explanation. Tingling in the hands can also have harmless causes. A large number of people have sensory disturbances in the hands because of a vitamin B1 deficiency. This happens more often when the person suffers from diabetes.
Treatment and therapy
Anyone who feels tingling in the hands can initiate various treatment measures for it. Again, the correct therapy depends on the cause. For pinched nerves, one usually tries to widen the constriction by performing stretching exercises and physical therapy. Heat can also be helpful in widening. If such treatment fails to eliminate the tingling in the hands, surgery is required to remove the narrowing. If tingling in the hands occurs due to a herniated disc, physiotherapy is also the first treatment of choice. The goal is to actively straighten the spine. Exercises that strengthen the neck muscles can also be used specifically to eliminate the tingling in the hands. If these treatment measures are not effective, the neurosurgeon can perform an appropriate operation. Then the disc tissue that presses on the nerve is removed by him. Likewise, a circulatory disorder in the brain can be responsible for the tingling in the hands. This is where neurologists and neurosurgeons are called upon to try to correct the circulatory disorder with the help of lysis therapy. Tingling in the hands can also be treated by administering vitamin B1 and further optimizing the patient’s blood sugar. In addition, mild electrical impulses, such as those delivered by a TENS unit, can help against the tingling in the hands.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, tingling in the hands is a harmless symptom. Often, tingling in the hands occurs especially when the hands are warmed up relatively quickly after a cold period. This can happen, for example, in winter when the hands are cold and are held in water that is too hot. Tingling in the hands also occurs when nerves are temporarily pinched. Here, the typical feeling of numbness occurs. After a short time, the symptom disappears again and does not lead to further discomfort or complications. If tingling in the hands occurs after an accident or if it becomes more frequent, a doctor must be consulted. This may be due to circulatory disorders or nerve disorders.However, the symptom can be treated relatively well with the help of medication. In some cases, tingling in the hands is caused by a psychological disorder. It is often accompanied by mood swings and stress. In this case, a psychologist can help. The patient’s life is limited by permanent tingling in the hands. Using the hands is then no longer easily possible, which reduces the quality of life.
Prevention
To prevent tingling in the hands, it is recommended to pay attention to a healthy and balanced diet. This should be as varied as possible and contain little cholesterol. In addition, one should pay attention to sufficient exercise, especially if one works primarily in a sitting position. This can prevent damage to the cervical spine, which can ultimately lead to tingling in the hands. Moderate consumption of alcohol and abstaining from nicotine are also sensible measures to prevent tingling in the hands.
What you can do yourself
The reason for tingling in the hands and numbness at night is usually an unfavorable sleeping position. In these cases, blood flow is temporarily interrupted because the nerves have been pinched. Once the position is changed again, blood flow to the extremities returns to normal and the sensation returns. In some cases, however, the tingling is due to a medical condition. Irritation can be caused by damage to the cervical spine, for example. If the pain occurs frequently, a herniated disc in the cervical spine may be the cause. If the feeling of numbness lasts for several days, a doctor should always be consulted. In the majority of cases, a herniated disc in the cervical spine can be repaired without surgery. Physiotherapy can be used to push the affected disc back into its original position. Anti-inflammatory injections support the treatment. Nighttime numbness in the hand and fingers can also be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain occurs mainly on the inside of the thumb. Rest is the most important measure. A splint worn at night provides relief. The impairment can also be caused by nerve inflammation caused by viruses, environmental toxins or alcohol abuse. Rheumatism medications can also produce such symptoms. In all cases, the cause must be eliminated. Rarely a nutrient deficiency lies to reason, can however with Veganern quite occur. A blood count will provide information.
