Numbness and tingling are not a good feeling, especially when you feel it in your hands. This sensation can be debilitating as it can inconvenience your work.
Most people may mistakenly conclude that the sensations are caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is caused by pressure on the median nerve. It happens to many people who use their hands in front of a keyboard for hours on end. Of course, there are other ways this could develop.
While carpal tunnel is common, it is not always the cause of hand and wrist discomfort. To give you some perspective, here are other reasons why you could be feeling any of these sensations:
1. Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a disease or dysfunction that can affect one or more peripheral nerves. These nerves in your nervous system are responsible for sending sensory information to your brain and spinal cord. When these nerves are not functioning properly, the outside sensation may not be transmitted to the central nervous system.
One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes, a common medical condition that can be quite alarming and needs proper medical attention. Peripheral neuropathy can also be caused by physical trauma from previous injuries, exposure to toxins, and infections.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, causing chronic pain. People diagnosed with this don’t experience constant numbness in their hands, but some studies have shown that it could be an early warning sign.
RA could also be a pre-existing condition that can make you more vulnerable to carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by these symptoms.
3. Vitamin Deficiencies
The body needs a good balance of vitamins and nutrients to function properly. A vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause numbness in your hands as it is necessary to keep nerves healthy. Potassium and magnesium also keep nerves strong and healthy, so a lack can also cause numbness.
4. Disease from the Central Nervous System
Multiple Sclerosis, stroke, and other brain disorders may cause numbness in the forearm and hand. These diseases are pretty alarming, so if you experience this out of the blue, you should seek help right away.
5. Poisoning
If you or your profession requires you to expose yourself to metals and industrial compounds, you are at risk of getting poisoned, which is also a possible cause of numbness.
6. Chemotherapy
There are medications in chemotherapy that can cause tingling sensations in the hands, which can be temporary while undergoing treatment. However, it is possible for the numbness to become permanent. It differs among patients because of the body’s way of responding to treatments.
Conclusion
Whether you think it is carpal tunnel syndrome or something else entirely, anything weird happening to your hands needs a clear diagnosis. Stay calm when you start to feel such sensations. If the feeling goes away instantly, it may not be a medical emergency. Nevertheless, prolonged numbness and tingling in your hands can be alarming.
If you’re feeling any uncomfortable sensations in your hands, seek help from a specialist for hand pain treatment. The North Florida Hand and Wrist Center is led by Dr. Richard D. Curtis and Dr. Jose Baez, expert hand and wrist surgeons with the skills and dedication to help patients get the best care possible. Get in touch with them today.
