Fingers fall asleep: 3 causes, symptoms and treatment options

Contents

Introduction – Fingers fall asleep

The phenomenon of numb fingers is familiar to many people and can occur both temporarily and chronically. It can have various causes, including carpal tunnel syndrome, circulatory problems or nerve compression. In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes, symptoms and treatment options for numb fingers.

What does it mean when your fingers go numb?

Fingers falling asleep, also known as paresthesia, is a condition in which a tingling, numbness, or reduction in sensation occurs in the fingers. This feeling may be temporary or last for a longer period of time. There can be several factors that cause fingers to fall asleep, including:

– Compression or irritation of the median nerve in the wrist
– Circulatory disorders that affect blood flow to the fingers
– Nerve compression elsewhere in the arm or hand.

fingers fall asleep what to do curpal
A medical professional conducts a comprehensive Carpal Tunnel Syndrome test with a senior woman, assessing wrist function and nerve health

Carpal tunnel syndrome as a common cause

One of the most common causes of numb fingers is carpal tunnel syndrome. This syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed or irritated. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist through which the median nerve passes. If this tunnel is narrowed, symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or pain in the fingers may occur.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can worsen over time and include:

– Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers
– Pain or burning sensation in the wrist or affected fingers
– Weakness in the hand that makes gripping difficult

Diagnosis and treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually diagnosed through a physical examination and specific tests such as the Tinel test and the Phalen test. In some cases, a nerve conduction velocity test may be necessary to check the functioning of the median nerve.

Treatment options for numb fingers

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome can vary depending on the severity of symptoms. Treatment options include:

curpal to stabilize the wrist and reduce pressure on the median nerve
– Medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief
– Physiotherapy exercises to strengthen the hand muscles and improve mobility
– In severe cases, surgery may be considered to relieve pressure on the median nerve

Summary

Numbness in the fingers can be an annoying symptom that can have a variety of causes, including carpal tunnel syndrome. It is important to identify the underlying cause and take appropriate measures to relieve symptoms and prevent long-term damage.

As an alternative treatment method , curpal can treat the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome without surgery.

Sources and references:

– American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2022). Carpal tunnel syndrome.
-MayoClinic. (2022). Carpal tunnel syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355603

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