Do your hands always feel numb? (Numbness in Hands) Let's find out more about this, shall we?

Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your hand feels numb and lifeless, right? Or while you're doing something, your fingers suddenly feel numb and you feel like ants are walking around. This is something we experience all the time. Most of the time, we don't pay much attention to it, thinking that it's just because we've been holding our hands in the same way. However, this tingling in the hands can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious illness than we think. So today, let's talk about why these hands feel numb, what causes it, and when we should really be concerned about it.

What exactly is tingling in the hands?

Tingling is an unusual sensation in your hands. To be precise, it feels like your sense of touch is decreasing. Sometimes you may also feel a tingling sensation along with a burning sensation , like ants crawling along your hand or being pricked by needles. In medicine, we call this condition ``paresthesia.`` Most of the time, this sensation occurs temporarily and then goes away when a nerve is pressed while you are in the same position. But if it persists or occurs frequently, it may be a symptom of a medical condition.

What are the main causes of tingling in the hands?

There are many possible causes of tingling in the hands. Some of them are very simple, temporary, while others can be serious medical conditions. The main cause is compression or damage to a nerve in the hand, arm, or neck.

Let's see clearly what these reasons are from the table below.

What tests does the doctor do to find the cause?

When you go to see a doctor about your tingling hands, he or she will first ask you questions and get a detailed explanation. How long has it been, when does it occur most often, and whether you have other symptoms. Then, they may recommend some tests to find the exact cause.

• Blood tests: A complete blood count can check things like thyroid hormone levels, vitamin levels (especially B12), and electrolytes.
• Scans: You may be asked to have a `CT (Computed Tomography)` scan or `MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)` scan of your brain or spine. These can detect things like tumors and nerve compression.
• Neurological function tests: A test called `EMG (Electromyography)` checks the function and health of your nerves and muscles.
• Other tests: An ultrasound of the blood vessels in the neck, an X-ray, an angiogram to look inside the blood vessels, or a lumbar puncture to look for diseases of the nervous system may be performed as needed.

What are the treatments for tingling in the hands?

Okay, now that we've talked about the causes and the tests, how do you treat this? The most important thing is that the treatment depends on what's causing your tingling hands.

For example, if your numbness is caused by a medication you are taking, your doctor will change the medication. If it is a vitamin deficiency, he will recommend the right vitamins or a nutritious diet. If it is a condition like `Carpal Tunnel Syndrome`, you may need to wear a splint, do exercises, or in some cases, have minor surgery.

If you have a chronic condition like diabetes, the most important treatment is to control the condition. In some cases, you may be referred to a specialist, such as a neurologist, rheumatologist, or surgeon.

Are there things you can do at home?

Yes, in addition to the doctor's advice, there are some simple things you can do at home.

• Taking painkillers (e.g. Paracetamol) with the doctor's approval.
• Giving your hands a break from continuous work (e.g. typing).
• Use splints if recommended by your doctor.
• Hot or cold frying.
• Engaging in simple exercises that strengthen the hands and wrists.

When should you see a doctor immediately?

This is the most important part. It's normal to feel tingling in your hands when you wake up in the morning after sleeping the same way. It will go away on its own after a while. However, if your tingling in your hands lasts for more than a few hours, or if it comes and goes frequently , you should definitely see a doctor.

In particular, if you have any of the symptoms below along with numbness in your hands, it could be a sign of an emergency, such as a stroke. See a doctor immediately. If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

• Tingling in other parts of the body (e.g., leg, face).
• A state of paralysis, meaning loss of limbs .
• Confusion , loss of consciousness.
• Dizziness .
• Slurred speech or slurring of words while speaking.
• Inability to control bowel and urine.
• A skin rash.

Don't ignore symptoms like these. Early treatment can prevent serious complications.

ath hiri wateema, numbness in hands, pins and needles, carpal tunnel syndrome sinhala, nerve damage, diabetes, stroke, paralysis, vitamin B12, paresthesia sinhala