Everything You Need to Know About Numbness in Hands

Numbness in Hands (NIH) can be understood as a lack of sensation or feeling in the hands, which can stem from various causes. If left unaddressed, it can lead to potential problems with loss of grip strength and fine motor skills. In some cases, the numbness may be temporary and may go away without intervention. However, certain cases may necessitate medical attention. For instance, your hands may go numb as a result of multiple sclerosis, a serious autoimmune disorder. The costs of dealing with such a critical disease are huge, emotionally as well as financially. Opting for health insurance online can help in such scenarios by providing much-needed financial support.* Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under health insurance policy. As important as it is to buy a health insurance plan, it is equally vital to be aware of any medical issues you face. With that in mind, let’s take a detailed look at the symptoms, causes and potential treatments of NIH.

Symptoms of Numbness in Hands

Even though the term is self-explanatory, there may be other symptoms you might experience alongside, such as:

1. Sensations of tingling and burning
2. Weakness or heaviness in your hands
3. Trouble coordinating or with fine motor skills
4. Difficulty holding onto objects/gripping objects
5. Pain/discomfort in hands or wrists

As mentioned earlier, these can be a sign of multiple causes. Let’s look at them now.

Why Your Hands May Be Going Numb

You may be experiencing NIH for a variety of reasons, some of which can include:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Pressure on the median nerve in the wrist (usually due to repetitive activities) can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.

Raynaud's Disease

This condition narrows blood vessels in the hands and feet, causing reduced blood flow, which can further lead to numbness, paleness, and pain.

Peripheral neuropathy

Damage to nerves in the peripheral nervous system can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands and feet.

Diabetes

Long-term high blood sugar due to diabetes can lead to numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, it can lead to numbness, weakness and tingling in the hands.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

This vitamin is crucial for nerve health, and a deficiency can result in nerve damage, resulting in numbness of hands or other parts.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when there is an interruption to the blood supply to the brain. Even though NIH is not a sign of emergency, it may be a symptom of a stroke in some cases.

Multiple sclerosis

As mentioned earlier, multiple sclerosis can lead to NIH. It causes damage to the nerve fibres due to which one may experience numbness in various body parts.

Lupus

An autoimmune disease like lupus can cause nerve damage and weakness in the hands, along with joint pain, rashes, headaches, and fatigue, among others.

Lifestyle factors

Repetitive motions, poor posture, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to numbness by causing circulation problems and nerve damage.

Treatments for Numbness in Hands

Here are some solutions for when your hands go numb, depending on the severity of the underlying cause:

Conventional measures 

Certain measures such as rest, stretching exercises, and physical therapy can relieve numbness symptoms by reducing the pressure on nerves and encouraging blood flow to the affected area.

Medications

Pain relievers, anti-convulsant drugs, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants may be recommended to alleviate symptoms. These should be taken strictly under prescription by a medical practitioner.

Surgery

It may not be the first course of treatment, but surgery may be needed in severe cases. Some surgeries may be relatively low risk, such as carpal tunnel surgery.

Alternative modes of treatment

Given the diverse causes of hand numbness, alternative treatments, such as heating pads, ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, immobilization through wearing a brace, Botox injections, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and so on, may help.

Importance of Health Insurance for All-Round Protection 

From the above points, one can say that even small issues, such as hands going numb, can be an indicator of serious, underlying health problems. It takes a good amount of time and finances to treat serious diseases. Hence, one should take preventive measures, such as buying health insurance online. The right health insurance plan covers hospitalisation as well as road ambulance charges, day-care procedures, organ donor expenses, convalescence benefits, and so on.* One should also renew health insurance on time to continue enjoying its benefits over the long run. Sometimes, people hesitate to buy health insurance due to the costs involved in the process. However, health insurance is a vital part of financial planning, and one should look at it as an investment.* Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under health insurance policy. You can also plan as per your budget by getting an estimate of the premium using the health insurance calculator.   *Standard T&C apply. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.