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What Do Nighttime Tingling And Numbness In The Hands Indicate?

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Posted on Wed, 4 Oct 2017
Question: Tingling and numbness in hands, especially at night. I don't think it is a matter of laying on them and causing them to feel like they are asleep.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
may be neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Numbness and tingling are due to neuropathy which is abnormal function of the nerves. It can be temporary or permanent and there are different possible causes.

One of the causes is trauma to the nerves. This is the likely cause for you. The neuropathy may be related to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a condition where the nerves are compressed as they pass by the wrists into the hands.

Symptoms tend to be worse or occur at night.

It is diagnosed mainly based on history but physical examination is still done.

It can sometimes be linked to other conditions such as :
(1)increased repetitive movements at the wrists
(2)diabetes
(3)thyroid disease
(4)rheumatoid arthritis
(5)recent menopause
(6)lesion in the wrist eg a ganglion
(7)increased weight
(8)decreased physical activity

Treatment consists of : (1)physical therapy
(2)use of splints particularly at night for at least 3 weeks
(3) a steroid injection may be needed
(4)there are also medications that are specific for neuropathy eg lyrica, gabapentin
(5)some persons benefit from the use of pain killers such as the ibuprofen that you are currently using

There are also other causes of neuropathy that may need to be ruled out

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16845 Questions

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What Do Nighttime Tingling And Numbness In The Hands Indicate?

Brief Answer: may be neuropathy Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic Numbness and tingling are due to neuropathy which is abnormal function of the nerves. It can be temporary or permanent and there are different possible causes. One of the causes is trauma to the nerves. This is the likely cause for you. The neuropathy may be related to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a condition where the nerves are compressed as they pass by the wrists into the hands. Symptoms tend to be worse or occur at night. It is diagnosed mainly based on history but physical examination is still done. It can sometimes be linked to other conditions such as : (1)increased repetitive movements at the wrists (2)diabetes (3)thyroid disease (4)rheumatoid arthritis (5)recent menopause (6)lesion in the wrist eg a ganglion (7)increased weight (8)decreased physical activity Treatment consists of : (1)physical therapy (2)use of splints particularly at night for at least 3 weeks (3) a steroid injection may be needed (4)there are also medications that are specific for neuropathy eg lyrica, gabapentin (5)some persons benefit from the use of pain killers such as the ibuprofen that you are currently using There are also other causes of neuropathy that may need to be ruled out I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions