Sometimes, one experiences the strange and uncomfortable feeling of numbness in the hands, particularly in the morning. Numbness, just to clarify, refers to the loss of feeling in a particular part of the body. The issue of hands numb in morning usually occurs in fingers, palms, back of the hand, or any combination of these. It usually happens when a nerve (or nerves) in this area has a sustained damage or when blood supply to this area is insufficient. It can also involve paralysis, which makes you unable to move your hands. 

This condition could be a symptom of some other diseases or conditions. It is hence very important to consult a medical professional whenever one experiences this kind of hand numbness. So, what are the causes of hands numb in the morning?

Cause of Hands Numb in Morning

1. General Causes

• Irregular calcium, sodium or potassium levels;
• Bites from pets and other animals;
• Poor posture when sleeping;
• A broken bone in the hand (which would affect a nerve);
• Side effects of certain medication;
• Excessive smoking, alcohol consumption or lead poisoning can damage nerves and hence cause the numbness;
• Keeping the same posture for a long time (either sitting or standing or even lying down);
• Insufficient circulation of blood to the hands. This can be a result of frostbite or atherosclerosis;
• Enlarged blood vessels, infections, scar tissue, and tumours can bring about pressure on nerves on the periphery and hence result in numbness;
• A herniated disk causes pressure on the spinal nerves, which can lead to numbness;
• Seafood toxins;
• Radiation therapy;
• Herpes zoster or shingles.

2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes the patient to feel tingling, pain and hands numb in morning. This is due to pressure on the median nerve in the wrists. It can be caused by repetitive work, obesity, pregnancy or illness.

Treatment:

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated by simply avoiding or changing the kinds of activities that caused the problem, such as constant hand motion, use of vibration equipment, etc. A wrist splint may also help alleviate the problem. Of course, the best solution is to visit a healthcare facility as soon as possible.

The best time to call a doctor would be as soon as one notices a sudden loss of feeling in one’s arm(s). Tingling, weakness, pain and numbness are also symptoms that need to be looked at by a medical professional, especially if these symptoms are incessant. Call a doctor if one starts losing feeling in one’s hand(s) or fingers.

3. Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where the patient suffers from damaged nerves (the ones that transmit signals between the spinal cord and the brain). This disease can be caused mainly by diabetes, and also by other conditions such as injuries, infections and medications. One can suffer numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

Treatment:

One must quit smoking and maintain a healthy diet to control blood sugar levels. Exercising regularly and massaging hands at times also help. Try to avoid leaning on elbows.

One should call a doctor as soon as one begins feeling weakness in the muscles, a serious decline in one’s reflexes, and numbness. To diagnose peripheral neuropathy effectively, your physician will have to know exactly what causes the condition in the first place. Your physician may prescribe pain relievers, anti-seizure medications and antidepressants, give you physical and occupational therapies, or perform surgeries if necessary.

4. Ulnar Nerve Injury

Our arm consists of three chief nerves. The ulnar nerve is one of them. This nerve can suffer from constriction anywhere in its journey from the neck to the hand. Tennis, golf, baseball and any other sports that need gripping or catching may cause this disease. The common symptoms of ulnar nerve injury include tingling and hands numb in morning. A simple change of activities may alleviate the problem.

Treatment:

To fix the problem on yourself, you ought to make some changes. For instance, one ought to sit in a chair in the same level with a computer if one constantly uses it for long periods. One also should avoid activities where the arm is bent for too long. When sleeping, one should keep the elbows straight. The time to call a doctor is when none of these home treatments seem to work. Apart from similar painkillers, corticosteroid injections may be introduced by doctors to reduce swelling.

5. Brachial Plexus Nerve Injury

The brachial plexus group of nerves travels from the neck down to the arm. This group of nerves controls the muscles in one’s shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. They also control feelings in one’s shoulders, arms and hands. There are a few brachial plexus injuries that are trifling and do completely heal in a matter of weeks. Others, though, are much more severe and may even cause permanent disability in one’s arms. Sports injuries and sometimes the pressure from a tumor or inflammation are causes.

Treatment:

Simple activity changes should help alleviate the problem if it is minor. However, most adults with this type of injury do not recover with self-treatment alone. They require the work of a physician. It is important to contact your doctor as soon as the symptoms get worse. Recovery obviously depends on the extent of the injury.

6. Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage as a result of diabetes. It can cause numbs in your muscles.

Treatment:

To prevent or manage diabetic neuropathy, one ought to properly manage one’s diabetes. That is, manage blood sugar levels, stick to a proper diet, exercise regularly, etc. Medications like antidepressants, anti-seizure medications and other pain relievers may be prescribed if symptoms are getting severe. However, if the symptoms (like hands numb in morning) persist, one should immediately visit a healthcare facility.

7. Vitamin B12 Deficiency 

Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in vegans and alcoholics. It can affect people with conditions such as atrophic gastritis, pernicious anaemia, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, lupus, Graves’ disease, etc. Hands numb in morning can also be seen when having this deficiency.

Treatment:

Treatments of vitamin B12 deficiency include taking supplements or multivitamin, injecting vitamin B12 for those with pernicious anaemia and eating vitamin B12-fortified grains for vegans. Nerve damage as a result of vitamin B12 deficiency may be permanent. Therefore, it is very important to see a healthcare professional as soon as symptoms such as hand numbness start to occur.