Why Do Hands Go To Sleep When Sleeping?

When certain areas are compressed, the blood supply may not reach the hands. This is the reason why the limbs appear tingling or fall asleep. Next, we will explain this phenomenon in depth.

We are resting and, in the middle of the night, we are awakened by a kind of “electric shock” in the hands or fingers. Other times it happens that,  when we open our eyes, it seems that someone has come and in the dark has cut off our limbs.

These situations can often even generate a certain feeling of panic among the people who suffer it. However, it may be due to harmless reasons, such as poor posture.

Do you want to know all the causes? Find out in this article!

Numbness of the hands

Both cramps and numbness are unpleasant, whether we are sleeping or not. If it happens to us once in a while, this is not a problem. However, if it is more the rule than the exception, perhaps we should pay more attention to these signs.

Both sensations can occur in any part of the body, although the most frequent areas are the extremities; that is, arms, legs, hands and feet. The symptoms are tingling and a stinging sensation, as if dozens of small pins or needles are being stuck in us; some people even experience burning.

The main causes of numbness in the hands while we sleep or are lying down are, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Lack of vitamin B12.
• Consumption of certain medications.
• Damage or pressure on a nerve in the hand and wrist.
• Staying in a similar posture for a long time.
• Minor injury to the hands: it can be, for example, a blow that we suffer during the day.
• Injury to the neck, which can cause numbness in the fingers, hands or arm.
• Fluid retention:  it occurs mainly due to menopause, pregnancy and being overweight.
• Everyday tasks that involve flexing and extending the wrists,  as well as using great force or handling tools that vibrate or exert pressure.

Damage to the wrist and numbness of the hand

There are people who feel that one or both hands go to sleep at night at least once a week. There are those who go to the doctor to obtain a diagnosis and there are those who consider it something ‘normal’ until it bothers them too much and they decide to consult a specialist.

When there is damage to the wrist, we can suffer not only numbness and night cramps, but even a lack of strength to hold certain objects or great pain when making certain movements.

For example, things fall out of hand or there is a lack of flexibility when wanting to do everyday tasks. If this is not addressed in time, over the years it can lead to a lack of sensitivity.

In order to know if the problem with the hands falling asleep at night is due to a nervous condition, we have to visit a doctor. It is also essential to know the exact area of ​​pain or discomfort.

In this sense, the fingers most affected by cramps or numbness at night are the thumb, index and middle. If this happens, the problem has a name and there is a lot of information about it.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

This condition is also known as “secretary syndrome.” In medical terms, it is defined as a peripheral neuropathy that develops when the median nerve  – which runs from the forearm to the hand – is affected by pressure.

The nerve in the wrist is responsible for sensation and movement of the hand and fingers. When imprisoned, it causes various symptoms; between them, let this part of the body fall asleep.

Why does it happen while we sleep? Sometimes people with carpal tunnel syndrome experience the signs at any time of the day, but they get worse when they go to bed. This is because the nerve has been working for several hours and when it tries to “rest” it tenses.

If the symptoms are reflected in the ring and little fingers, the condition has to do with pressure problems in the ulnar nerve, which can be affected by pressure on the elbow. For example, if you have had an accident and fell on your elbow, you will feel a kind of ‘electricity’ in the area.

This nerve is also responsible for mobilizing the area between the clavicle and the first rib. Also, blood vessels come into play. For this reason, numbness is worth analyzing well.

It usually appears due to a congenital problem, repetitive movements – for example, if you practice tennis (as stated in this research from the Villaviciosa de Odón Health Center, in Madrid) – or due to repeated bad postures over time.

What to do when your hands fall asleep?

If you are experiencing the symptoms of numbness, warmth, tingling or numbness in your hands (especially at night), there is a great possibility that you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or an ulnar nerve condition.

In both cases, it is recommended to go to the doctor for a professional analysis. If the problem is not treated, over time the pain will be excruciating, and you will also experience it during the day. The inability to discern between hot and cold is already a serious consequence, as well as atrophy of the base of the thumb.

The risk of suffering from these problems is higher in women, according to this study carried out by the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán (Mexico). 

Exercises to prevent numbness

In order not to go to such extremes, certain basic exercises are recommended that aim to rest the carpal tunnel or not be so stressed.

• Take a small rubber ball in the palm of your hand;  They are available in toy stores or pet stores.
• Close your fingers and apply pressure.
• Repeat several times, holding the pressure for a few seconds before returning to the starting position.

Try to do this exercise at least once a day. You can take advantage of the dead times of the day, such as when traveling on the subway to work or home, or in line at the bank or while you wait for your child to leave school.

Finally, you can also do it while watching a movie, reading a book or taking a bath. The important thing is that you practice a few minutes every day. In this way, the nerve will be strengthened and you will notice that your hands do not fall asleep so much at night.

Remember that, before any problem of this type, you should go to the doctor. Especially if the numbness lasts over time or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever or other discomfort. Quick prevention will always be key.