Sometimes, while we are working or just sitting, our fingers suddenly tingle and lose sensation, right? This tingling sensation, which comes with a slight tingling sensation, like an electric shock, sometimes comes and goes on its own. This happens to many people, so we don't pay much attention to it. But if this tingling in the fingers happens frequently, if it is accompanied by pain, it may be a symptom of another medical condition inside our body. So today, let's talk about why these fingers tingle, what can cause it, and what we should do.
The relationship between diabetes and finger numbness
If you have diabetes, you should definitely be concerned about tingling in your fingers. Simply put, when blood sugar levels are uncontrolled and high over a period of time, the delicate nerves in our body begin to be damaged. This condition is called peripheral neuropathy .
This is caused by a disruption in the transmission of messages through the nerves. Therefore, it first affects the most distant parts of the body, such as the fingers, hands, and feet. Tingling in the fingers is just one symptom of this.
The important thing is that once nerves are damaged by diabetes, it is difficult to fully restore them. Therefore, the best thing to do is to control your blood sugar levels well and prevent this condition from occurring.
The table below shows other symptoms that may be seen in nerve damage caused by diabetes.
| Symptom | How you feel |
|---|---|
| Numbness or tingling | Numbness or tingling sensation in the hands, feet, and fingers. |
| Pain or inflammation | Burning or severe pain in the limbs, especially at night. |
| Muscle weakness | A limp feeling in the limbs, difficulty holding onto something firmly. |
| Loss of body balance | Falling while walking, difficulty balancing the body. |
If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. He or she may prescribe medications (e.g., antidepressants, anticonvulsants) or creams to help control the pain.
Do you have this as an office worker? - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is a common condition for those who work with computers, type frequently, operate machinery in the garment industry, or work with their wrists bent in the same position.
There is a small space inside our wrist called the carpal tunnel . A major nerve that controls our hand and fingers passes through this space. When we do work that puts a lot of strain on our wrist, the tissue inside this space swells and starts to press on that nerve. This swelling can also be caused by conditions like arthritis. This is the pressure on this nerve that causes tingling in the fingers.
What are the characteristics of this?
- Numbness or pain in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger (the little finger usually does not feel any numbness).
- The pain increases at night and wakes you up from sleep.
- I feel a little relieved when I shake his hand.
- The hand grip weakens, things fall out of the hand .
- It becomes difficult to do delicate tasks like putting on buttons or writing with a pen.
What can be done?
- Take breaks while working: Give your hands a break at least once an hour, even if you're not working straight. Shake your hands, stretch them out.
- Keep your wrist straight: When using a computer mouse or keyboard, keep your wrist straight without bending it up or down.
- Seek medical advice: Talk to your doctor about this. He or she may prescribe a special splint for you to wear at night. This will help to keep your wrist in the correct position and reduce the pressure on the nerve. Sometimes, steroid injections or, in severe cases, minor surgery can relieve the pressure.
Nerve compression due to other causes
In addition to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, nerves in our hands or wrists can become pinched for other reasons.
- Other dangers to nerves
- Muscle enlargement
- Enlargement of blood vessels
- Formation of cysts
Any of these things can cause one or more fingers to feel numb. Treatment depends on the cause of the pinched nerve. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor to find the exact cause.
Is excessive alcohol consumption also a cause of this?
Yes. People who drink alcohol excessively over a long period of time can develop a nerve disorder called alcoholic polyneuropathy . The nerves are damaged by the toxic chemicals in alcohol and by alcohol's ability to absorb vitamins (especially vitamin B).
The symptoms are similar to diabetic nerve damage. You may experience numbness in the limbs, a tingling sensation, pain, and muscle weakness.
The main treatment for this is to stop drinking alcohol completely . This can prevent further damage to the nerves. If it is difficult to stop drinking, it is essential to seek medical advice and rehabilitation programs.
Fibromyalgia and finger numbness
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain throughout the body for no apparent reason. Although the main symptom is pain, tingling in the fingers is also common among these patients.
- Extreme fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating (Fibro fog)
- Headache
- Depression
- Insomnia
Other symptoms may also occur. It is believed that this condition is caused by a problem with the way the brain processes pain signals. Although there is no specific cure for this condition, medications, physical therapy, exercise, and psychological counseling can help control symptoms and lead a normal life.
Other reasons to definitely be concerned
In addition to the causes discussed above, tingling fingers can also be a symptom of some serious medical conditions. We should be especially aware of these.
- Stroke: In a stroke, caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the brain, a person may suddenly experience numbness in an arm or fingers. If the numbness is accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty speaking, drooping of one side of the face, sudden severe headache, weakness, or dizziness , take the patient to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) without delay.
- Brain or spinal cord injuries: If numbness occurs after an injury to the head or spine, that is also an emergency.
- Multiple Sclerosis: This disease, which affects the central nervous system, can cause numbness in various parts of the body.
- Infections: Numbness can also be a symptom of some infections, such as Lyme disease or syphilis.
- Chemotherapy for cancer: Peripheral neuropathy can occur as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs given to cancer patients.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: Tingling in the hands and feet can also occur when the body does not receive enough vitamin B12. This can be easily avoided by taking vitamin pills as prescribed by a doctor.
- Raynaud's phenomenon: When exposed to extreme cold or stress, the fingers may become pale, blue, and tingly due to decreased blood flow to the fingers.
Take-Home Message
- Tingling in the fingers is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It can be caused by simple conditions like diabetes, nerve damage, and vitamin deficiencies, as well as more serious conditions like stroke.
- If your finger numbness is frequent, accompanied by pain, or doesn't go away, be sure to see your doctor.
- Don't just treat whatever you feel without finding the cause. A correct diagnosis is very important.
- If you have sudden numbness, difficulty speaking , loss of consciousness, or severe headache , it is an emergency. Go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- This condition can often be controlled with lifestyle changes (e.g., diabetes control, alcohol cessation, correct posture).
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