I feel numb in my arms at night. Some people doubt it is a disease. Most of the cases are caused by sleeping positions. If a person who is used to sleeping sideways presses his weight on the nerves of his arms or legs all night, and when he wakes up, he feels like he is stabbed by many small needles. This symptom is called abnormal sensation, not a disease, and it usually disappears on its own. In addition, vitamin deficiency can also cause numbness in the arms. Vitamin C and B6 will affect the production of collagen , a key protein necessary for connective tissue .
However, there are also some types of hands or arms that are numb, so you should be alert.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Sleep until the middle of the night and wake up, and there is a feeling of needle pricking on your hands. This is one of the signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Another sign is that you will feel numb and tingling when holding the steering wheel while driving. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disease that affects the hands and wrists. The main reason is that the median nerve is compressed, which runs from the forearm to the wrist and passes through a small and narrow channel called the carpal tunnel. Pressure of the median nerve can affect the sensation on the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger side, and symptoms usually start slowly, some may occasionally wake up from the middle of the night and find a needle sensation on their hands and arms, which others describe as pain or numbness. By pinching hands or swaying hands, the discomfort may be reduced or disappear. However, if not treated in time, it will lead to problems with typing, picking things, and even buttoning up shirts.
cervical nerve root problems
Problems may also occur on the neck. Pressure or stimulation of the cervical nerve roots can cause numbness or pain in the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Some people also have neck pain and the back of the head. Early changes in sleep posture can relieve it, numbness may disappear, symptoms appear intermittently, and gradually become more and more frequent, mainly manifested as:
- There is a tingling sensation on the fingers or hands.
- The muscles on the arms, shoulders or hands are weak.
- The arms, fingers or hands are unconscious.
The reason why it feels obvious at night is related to the temperature. When you sleep, the body temperature is lower, and the damaged nerves can be more obvious. In addition, poor sleeping posture can also aggravate the symptoms. According to a 2020 survey, 97-99% of patients with cervical radiculopathy have numbness and pain in their arms.
Diabetes
Diabetes High blood sugar can cause peripheral neuropathy, numbness and tingling of fingers, toes, hands and feet, and may also cause burning or severe pain. The pain may be mild at first, and it will get heavier over time and gradually spread to the legs or arms. Peripheral neuropathy is also the most severe at night, but usually starts from the feet and legs and then spreads to the hands and arms. In a study of 650 patients, researchers found that patients with diabetes peripheral neuropathy, regardless of age, gender, and other health problems, were generally severe from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. About one-third of people also suffer from sleep apnea, wake up repeatedly at night, and have poor sleep quality.
Generally speaking, numbness in the arms at night is usually caused by nerve compression. Usually there is no major problem, even if you wake up in the middle of the night due to pressure, changing your posture can relieve numbness. If you wake up with other symptoms, or the numbness will not be relieved, you should be alert. Examination items include blood tests, nerve conduction , ultrasonic , electromyography test, etc. If necessary, nuclear magnetic resonance is required to rule out tumors, inflammation or stroke .
Medical science popularization, for reference only
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