Adapted from "Numbness in Hands While Sleeping: Why It Happens and What It Means" from Sleep Foundation here

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Pain can impact your quality of sleep and if you wake up with numbness or tingling in your hands and fingers, it may indicate a larger issue.

Why Do I Wake Up With Numb Hands?

Numbness in arms or hands can be caused by a compressed nerve, poor circulation due to sleeping position, or an underlying cause. Numbness may be followed by paresthesia (a pins and needles sensation) and can be associated with nerve compression and certain health issues.

Nerve Compression or Damage

Numbness and tingling in hands can be caused by nerve damage or compression, which can result from repetitive manual labor or other factors such as drug use, infection, hereditary disease, injury or inflammation.

Ulnar Nerve Compression

The ulnar nerve can be compressed by pressure on the elbow or wrist, leading to numbness in the pinky finger, ring finger, or hand below those fingers. Treatment may include adjusting arm position or surgery.

Radial Nerve Compression

The radial nerve controls the muscles in the forearm and wrist, and can be compressed by pressure on the wrist, forearm, or bicep. This compression can cause numbness or pain in the index finger, thumb, or the hand between the index finger and thumb. Sleeping on the wrist or forearm, or sleeping with the arm draped on something, could compress the radial nerve.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the arm. It is caused by the compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel in the arm, and can result in numbness and tingling in the index and middle fingers and the base of the thumb. It can be treated with a brace, stretching, or surgery.

Other Medical Issues That Cause Hand Numbness

Other medical issues that can cause hand numbness include cervical spondylosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and diabetes mellitus.

• Cervical spondylosis can cause neck pain, stiffness, and numbness in the arms, shoulders, and fingers.
• Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by compression or irritation of blood vessels in the upper chest due to anatomical variations of the muscles in that region.
• Diabetes can result in nerve damage, causing numbness and tingling sensations in the hands and feet.

Tips to Reduce Numbness in Hands When Sleeping

Here are some tips to reduce numbness in hands when sleeping:

• Use a supportive yet soft pillow and mattress to avoid pressure points in the neck and shoulders
• Wear a wrist brace to bed to stabilize the wrist during sleep
• Try a new sleeping position, particularly on your side
• Avoid laying on your arms under your pillow and keep your wrists unflexed
• If you often sleep on your back with your arms overhead, keep them next to you to reduce nerve pinching
• Stretch your hands and wrists before going to sleep
• Rule out any underlying disorders with your doctor

When to Talk to Your Doctor

If numbness in your arms and hands is persistent or causing poor quality sleep, it might be time to see your doctor. If you experience numbness that lasts into the day, numbness across the body, muscle weakness, clumsiness in your hands or fingers, sudden weakness or dizziness, or pain in your arms and legs that won't go away, you should consider making a doctor's appointment. Your doctor should be able to assess your symptoms and help you determine the next steps.