Table of contents:
- What causes numb hands during sleep?
- Ulnar nerve
- Median nerve
- Radial nerve
- How to prevent numb hands while sleeping
While sleeping does not mean you will not make body movements. Well, this movement changes the sleeping position to be less precise, so that it can cause the hands to feel numb while sleeping. Although disturbing, this condition is natural to happen to anyone. However, what actually causes the hands to feel numb while sleeping? Is there a way to prevent it?
What causes numb hands during sleep?
In medical terms, the condition of numbness is called paresthesia. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes paresthesia as a condition that causes a burning or stabbing sensation that generally occurs in the legs, hands, or feet.
Paresthesia of the hands can occur due to pinched nerves due to improper sleeping position. During sleep, the wrong hand position and last for a long time will put extra pressure on the nerves.
There are three types of nerves that may be pinched when the hand feels numb, namely the ulnar, median, or radial nerves. The following is an explanation of each of these nerves.
The ulnar nerve functions to help control the forearm muscles to help you hold onto something. When the ulnar nerve is pinched, it usually results from a lot of pressure on the elbow or wrist.
Pinched ulnar nerve can develop into cubital tunnel syndrome. This condition is usually characterized by continuous numb hands accompanied by pain. If this happens, immediately consult a doctor.
The median nerve controls the muscles and sensations in the index and middle fingers. A pinched median nerve also tends to occur when a lot of pressure is placed on the elbow or wrist. The sensation of numbness in this condition usually occurs because you often sleep with your wrists bent
This condition is usually called carpal tunnel syndrome. Apart from the sleeping position, carpal tunnel syndrome it can also occur when there are repetitive movements of the hands and fingers, such as typing or playing the piano.
The radial nerve controls the muscles used to stretch the fingers and wrists and the sensations in the backs of the hands and thumbs. Numbness of the hand can occur when there is too much pressure on the wrist or along the arm.
This condition is commonly called radial tunnel syndrome. In this condition, usually a person does not feel numbness in the hand or finger. In fact, you will often feel pain in the arms, elbows and wrists.
How to prevent numb hands while sleeping
Even though we are not aware of the movements during sleep, there are still ways that can be used to prevent numb hands. The following tips can be tried if you often feel numb hands while sleeping.
- Avoid sleeping in a curled up position orfetal position.Try tucking a blanket over you to make sure you don't turn to curl up while you sleep.
- When sleeping on your stomach, try not to keep your hands under the body. This position can put pressure on the hand and cause numbness.
- Try to sleep with your hands on your sides, not above your head. Although not depressed, the position of the hands above the head can also cause numbness due to poor circulation of blood to that part of the hand.
- Avoid placing your hands under the pillow while sleeping. Your head on the pillow can put pressure on your wrists and elbows.
- Use certain items that can be used to pinch or support your body while sleeping, such as wrapping a towel around your wrists. This is to prevent the wrist and elbow from changing position. But keep in mind, don't be too tight in wrapping the towel. This can also cause you to experience a pinched nerve.
- Get regular exercise. You can focus on working the hand and arm muscles.
