home Drugs My left shoulder is numb. Why does my left (right) hand go numb and what to do?

My left shoulder is numb. Why does my left (right) hand go numb and what to do?

Paresthesia, or numbness upper limbs, can affect certain areas - some people experience numbness in their hands, others - in their fingers, and in others, loss of sensation occurs in the entire hand - from shoulder joint to your fingertips. According to statistics, almost all people over the age of 35 experience this condition, and every second person in the younger age group.

What could be the cause of numbness, and should you pay attention to this symptom? If sensitivity in the hand is lost for a short time and then goes away without a trace, then no treatment is required. However, if numbness regularly appears for no apparent reason, you should consider visiting a doctor.

Poor circulation and muscle hypertonicity

Temporary numbness of the arm from the shoulder to the fingers very often occurs after sleeping in a certain position, when one or both arms lie under the head for a long time or top part torso. Clothes that are too tight or tight elastic bands on the sleeves may well compress the blood vessels and nerves of the limb, which will inevitably lead to numbness as a result.

The wrong pillow, staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, carrying heavy bags and a number of other factors can also lead to numbness in your fingers, hands or entire arm. But if you change your position, take off tight clothes and buy an orthopedic pillow, you can forget about the problem.

However, the cause may not always be the usual compression of muscles and skin; there are also more serious reasons paresthesia, and among them there are very dangerous pathologies that require immediate medical intervention.

Cardiovascular diseases

Acute and chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels are always accompanied by circulatory disorders. Blood does not flow in sufficient quantities to the peripheral and distal parts, and therefore the limbs lose sensation.

If your left hand goes numb, the cause may be:

With such serious pathologies as stroke and heart attack, as a rule, the entire arm goes numb. This is especially acute at night and early in the morning. A characteristic feature of an impending heart attack are pressing pains behind the sternum, even at rest. The patient may feel a burning sensation and severe pain radiating to the scapula, neck, shoulder and arm. A feeling of fear almost always accompanies the onset of an attack, as a person’s emotional and mental state changes.

With thrombosis of any location, time plays a decisive role - irreversible changes occur already 6 hours after the onset of the attack

Thrombosis is no less than dangerous disease, in which the walls of blood vessels become inflamed and blood clots - thrombi - form. Subsequently, blockage of the venous lumen occurs, and normal circulation blood, provoking various pathological processes.

Inflammation often develops against the background varicose veins, and manifests itself in the fact that the right or left arm goes numb (depending on the location of the blood clot), pain and swelling occur. Clinical picture thrombosis is often accompanied by an increase in body temperature to 38° and above. If numbness and pain lasts more than one hour, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help, since this condition threatens tissue death and limb amputation.

If a blood clot forms in the brain, not only general cerebral but also neurological symptoms are observed:

drowsiness;
confusion;
lack of coordination;
feeling dazed;
unilateral hand numbness.

The clinical symptoms of cerebral thrombosis are similar to those of stroke, and both diseases pose a threat to the patient’s life.

Deposits of “bad” cholesterol on internal walls blood vessels with atherosclerosis lead to their gradual compaction and loss of elasticity. As a result, blood access to organs is reduced, and with complete blockage of the vessel, there is a risk of developing thrombosis and ischemia.

The danger of atherosclerosis is that noticeable symptoms appear already late stages illness when conservative methods therapies no longer work, and the patient is offered surgery– balloon angioplasty, artery stenting, etc.

Thromboangiitis obliterans, otherwise called Buerger's disease, also manifests itself as numbness of the upper and lower extremities. In the initial stages, loss of sensation is observed only in the fingertips. With progression inflammatory process in the arteries and veins, the symptoms become more pronounced - the hands hurt and swell, acquiring a pale or bluish tint.

Buerger's disease develops rapidly, and due to circulatory problems appear on the skin. trophic ulcers, the muscles of the limbs atrophy, and an irreversible process of necrosis begins.

Raynaud's disease is characterized by acute disorder blood circulation in limited areas of the body and is more common in areas with cold climates, with women getting sick almost 5 times more often than men.

The main symptom of this pathology is a temporary decrease or complete loss of sensitivity on the surface of the fingers and hand. The course of the disease is paroxysmal, and over time the frequency and duration of such attacks increases. On early stages paresthesia occurs after exposure to a certain factor - excitement, hypothermia or smoking - and is accompanied by coldness and pallor skin.

The feeling of numbness is replaced by burning and bursting pain, heat due to a sharp rush of blood. Raynaud's disease affects the hands first and then the feet. If no attempts are made to cure, the prognosis is unfavorable, since the tissues begin to gradually die, the skin becomes ulcerated, and bone osteolysis is observed - the resorption of bone structures without any replacement. In advanced stages, only surgical treatment is possible.

Osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis can manifest itself in different ways, but one of the main signs is tension and pain in the affected area, as well as aches and periodic loss of sensation in the upper extremities. Discomfort occurs, as a rule, only in one hand, and the localization depends on the location of the injury intervertebral disc.

The sensitivity of the upper extremities disappears due to prolonged stay in the same position, namely:

when the head is thrown back (pressure on nerve endings and blood vessels increases);
arms crossed on the chest (the blood vessels of the upper extremities are pinched, and numbness occurs due to lack of nutrition);
back bent;
arms raised above the head (for example, while sleeping or holding repair work on the ceiling, high walls).

Therapy cervical osteochondrosis will be successful if integrated approach and the active assistance of the patient himself

The entire arm may be amputated if the discs of the 3rd, 4th or 5th vertebrae are damaged; thumb, index and middle finger goes numb when the 6th vertebra is damaged. The seventh vertebra is responsible for the loss of sensation in the little and ring fingers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Numbness of the upper extremities is a consequence of pinching median nerve bones and tendons located in the wrist. Therefore it is more correct to call this pathology carpal tunnel syndrome.

When a nerve is compressed, the following symptoms occur:

the hand bends poorly;
big and index fingers go numb;
the hand hurts, the muscles become weaker - it is difficult to hold an object or type.

When the disease just begins to develop, you can cope with it on your own. Ordinary mittens - knitted fingerless mittens - will help restore functionality. Mittens made from dog hair: warmth will reduce pain, prickly wool will provide a massaging effect, and a thick cuff will relieve stress on ligaments and joints.

To reduce inflammation, relieve swelling and get rid of pain, you can make hand baths with sea salt. Compresses and rubbing with camphor and peppermint oil will also help alleviate the condition.

However, the most important component of treatment is the elimination of the traumatic factor that causes the pinched nerve. If professional activity associated with monotonous movements of the wrist, you need to take breaks more often, avoid excessive stress and monitor correct position hands while working. Proper organization of the workplace - a comfortable table, a high-quality computer keyboard and mouse - is excellent prevention tunnel syndrome.

If carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by trauma, inflammatory disease joints or endocrine pathology, self-medication is unacceptable. It is necessary to consult a neurologist who will prescribe treatment, including the following methods:

reduction of dislocation in case of injury;
immobilization of the hand in the hand area;
correction of the underlying disease;
stopping the inflammatory process.

During the rehabilitation period, after acute symptoms have been relieved, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage are prescribed.

In 10% of cases, tunnel syndrome cannot be treated conservative treatment, and is carried out surgical intervention. The essence of the operation is to cut the transverse carpal ligament to widen the carpal tunnel and relieve compression of the median nerve. The procedure is carried out in outpatient setting endoscopically. Hand function is restored after two weeks, rehabilitation period lasts several months.

Multiple sclerosis

Crash in immune system, which is accompanied by multiple lesions of the nerve membranes of the brain and spinal cord, called multiple sclerosis. The symptoms of the disease are very diverse, but one of the first manifestations in 40% of cases is numbness and weakness in the muscles of the extremities, especially in the distal parts - the hands and feet.

In most cases, there is a unilateral lesion, that is, discomfort occurs only in one arm or leg. Along with this, visual acuity decreases, and eye movement disorders appear - strabismus, nystagmus, etc.

Very often, in almost 50% of cases, already in the first stages multiple sclerosis Bladder function is impaired - often this is the only symptom. Increased fatigue And constant fatigue are also characteristic of this disease.

TO early symptoms relate:

neuritis of the facial nerve;
dizziness;
unsteady gait;
decreased blood pressure;
movement coordination disorder.

In case of severe disease, it is not excluded death, in all other cases, patients face disability. However, with timely treatment, this prognosis can be corrected, and disability is postponed for a sufficiently long period.

Migraine

Headache on one side, known since ancient times as hemicrania, was first described almost 6 thousand years ago by the ancient Sumerians. Intense throbbing pain, which can last from 4 to 72 hours, occurs under the influence of provoking factors.

They can be like this:

hormonal imbalances, intake oral contraceptives And medicines based on hormones;
eating foods such as chocolate, red wine, cheese, nuts, eggs;
change of weather and time zones;
lack of sleep and nervous stress;
light and olfactory irritants - bright sunlight or artificial light, pungent odor;
sleeping too long;
starvation.

Migraine is one of the diseases that greatly affects social adaptation and performance

Immediately before the onset of a headache, neurological signs appear:

tingling and numbness in various parts of the body, but mainly in the upper extremities;
hearing and smell impairment;
visual disturbances occur most often, in almost 75% of patients - they see geometric patterns, bright flashes of light, dots and spots, people and objects seem too small or, conversely, huge, and color perception often changes.

To avoid painful attacks, it is recommended to exclude provocative foods from the menu, normalize your sleep patterns and not overwork. Nowadays, there are pain relief medications that, when combined correctly, give positive effect. Diagnosis and treatment of migraine is carried out by a neurologist.

Collagenoses

Diseases characterized by damage to connective tissue, and especially collagen fibers, are classified as collagenoses. Numbness of the upper extremities is characteristic of most pathologies of this group:

rheumatism. Inflammation of connective tissue due to several causes - transferred streptococcal infections, allergic reaction and genetic predisposition;
periarteritis nodosa. Inflammatory-necrotic damage to the vascular wall with the formation of microaneurysms is manifested by a fever, weakness, and weight loss. On the part of the skin, pallor with a marble tint or uneven cyanosis is observed due to the translucent network of blood vessels. A rash and subcutaneous nodules appear in the area of the forearm, legs and thighs;
scleroderma. In some cases, the disease begins with Raynaud's syndrome, and only then do lumps on the skin and swelling appear;
lupus erythematosus. Violation autoimmune processes leads to increased production antibodies to one's own healthy cells body. The disease has a seasonal course and worsens during periods of greatest solar activity - from spring to mid-autumn.

Chronic numbness of the arms from the shoulder to the fingers is undoubtedly a reason to visit a doctor and get examined. By establishing the exact reason why this happens, you can not only get rid of the unpleasant symptom forever, but also avoid dangerous complications. And if signs such as dizziness, weakness, chest pain and other disorders appear, it is better not to postpone a visit to the doctor. Be healthy!

All people are familiar with the feeling when, due to an uncomfortable position of the hands, they can lose sensitivity and go numb in the hands and fingers. If this phenomenon is short-lived, then it is associated with compression nerve endings and should not be alarmed.

However, if numbness occurs for no apparent reason and continues long time, or does not stop at all, then this is a clear sign of an existing pathology.

What diseases cause your fingers to go numb, the causes and treatment of this unpleasant and sometimes dangerous phenomenon - further in the article.

Symptoms

Characteristic symptoms of numbness in the hands are discomfort in the hand, forearm and elbow area. In this case, there may be tingling of the skin and a feeling that goosebumps are crawling on them. In this case, a person’s threshold of sensitivity to a numb arm or leg decreases, a feeling of coldness occurs, and sometimes pain.

When the appearance this symptom Associated with pathological processes, quite often the skin at this moment acquires a bluish tint. In medicine this phenomenon called paresthesia.

Physiological factors

Temporary hand numbness may be caused by:

Sitting for long periods of time with an arm thrown over the back of a chair or armchair, as a result of which the nerves are compressed and the blood supply to the limb is stopped.
Carrying a heavy bag on your shoulder or backpack for a long time.
Squeezing the cuff when measuring pressure, uncomfortable and tight clothing.
Work involving raising your arms above heart level.
Narrowing of the arteries in cold weather.

Such obvious causes can be easily eliminated: it is enough to change your position from time to time, move your hand, and, if necessary, massage the stiff area a little so that blood circulation occurs without obstacles. If you have to sit a lot at work, arrange physical minutes every one and a half to two hours.

Causes of hand numbness

Most common cause numbness of the fingers is considered a short-term pinching of a bundle of nerves and blood vessels located in this area connective tissues or muscles. If a limb becomes numb for a short period of time and such symptoms disappear after changing the position of the hand or vigorous massage, there is no particular cause for concern.

If this feeling persists for a long time and neither a change in body position nor a massage helps to get rid of the problem, we can assume a serious infringement of the area on which the blood supply to the median nerve depends.

There are a number of diseases whose symptoms are manifested by numbness:

If the problem of numbness in your hands arises, you should not brush it off, hoping that it will “go away on its own.” First of all, you need to analyze your lifestyle, the comfort of your pillow and sleepwear. Of course, a consultation with a general practitioner who will prescribe you necessary examinations and in doubtful cases will refer to narrow specialists– neurologist, cardiologist, hematologist. And remember! Timely initiation of treatment in most cases guarantees a favorable outcome.

Diagnostics

To figure out how to treat numbness in the hands and fingers, it is necessary not only to diagnose the symptom, but also to determine the cause of its development. To do this, standard tests are prescribed - you need to donate blood and urine.

From hardware techniques use:

X-ray of the cervical spine;
Dopplerography of arterial vessels of the spine and neck;
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
computed tomography (CT);
echoencephalography (EchoEG);
electroencephalography (EEG).

Each method gives Additional information, helping not only to make a diagnosis, but also to choose the optimal treatment methods.

What to do if your hands are numb?

If numbness in your hands occurs suddenly, you should definitely seek qualified medical help. But if these sensations are rare, short-lived and do not cause severe discomfort, then you can get rid of them with the help of special physical exercises.

An excellent prevention of hand numbness is morning exercises, which you can do without getting out of bed. Rotate your hands first in one direction, then in the other direction. After this, to warm up the shoulder joint, make circular movements with your hand.

Besides, ethnoscience offers a wide range of treatments for this condition. We have selected the most popular and effective ones for you. Here are some of them:

Fill a third half-liter jar minced fresh garlic. Fill in clean water"up to the shoulders." Cover with a tight plastic lid and store in a dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the jar every day. Then, drink 5 drops of tincture per 1 tsp. boiled water, three times a day. The course of treatment is at least a month.
Warming lotion: 50-60 grams are taken per liter of water ammonia and mixed with 5-6 drops of camphor alcohol, then a tablespoon of salt is poured into the resulting solution. The lotion should be rubbed into numb joints and left overnight.
An effective method is rubbing. For it we need: 2-3 pickled cucumbers, 3 pods of red pepper and 500 ml of vodka. Chop the cucumbers and peppers thoroughly, mix with vodka and hide in a dark place for a week. Strain before grinding.
Contrast baths will help well with prolonged pain and numbness of the body. Can be taken completely cold and hot shower, or you can pour water into 2 small baths: hot into the first, cold into the second. Now lower your hands one by one, first into the first bath, then into the second. You need to hold your hands in each for at least 2-3 minutes. Wait 1 minute before placing your hands in the second bath. Repeat this procedure 4 times throughout the day. At the time of adoption hot bath try to develop your fingers. To do this, press them firmly on the bottom of the bath, and also squeeze and unclench.

Also very popular methods for treating numbness of the hands are local effects that help restore tissue trophism. There are several ways, including:

Physiotherapy that activates peripheral circulation and improves nutrition in the numb area. In particular, we're talking about about phono- and electrophoresis, affecting the sore spot with drugs, exposure to microcurrents, ultrasound, laser therapy - all these procedures have a biostimulating effect.
Manual procedures, improving blood flow to the site of numbness. When they are carried out, the joint and muscle blocks that cause compression of the nerves and blood vessels are released.
Physiotherapy, which allows you to destroy motor stereotypes, as a result of which joints and muscles are developed and strengthened.

A person must take care of his or her health independently. Then his health will always be good, and no discomfort will interfere with his usual way of life. If any disease is detected, timely adoption of measures to eliminate the disease can guarantee a favorable outcome and the lowest cost, both in time and money.

Hands go numb at night

If your hands go numb at night due to incorrect posture during sleep or an uncomfortable bed, these factors should also be excluded. It is necessary to purchase a high-quality, not too hard orthopedic mattress and a small pillow that will provide complete rest to the spine and will not support the head in a too elevated position.

It’s also worth weaning yourself from falling asleep with your arms up. In addition, you should take care of comfortable clothes for sleeping. She should not squeeze her hands or restrict her movements.

If the causes of the trouble are diseases, then the doctor refers the patient for examination (urine and blood tests, X-ray and MRI of the head and neck, radiography of the joints of the arm and hand).

Which doctor should I contact?

The choice of specialist to prescribe treatment depends on what caused the numbness in the fingers. To begin with, a person can contact a therapist, who will listen to the symptoms and refer the patient to a specialized doctor.

If the cause of numbness is heart disease, then a referral to a cardiologist and appropriate examinations are necessary; in case of neurological pathologies, you will have to visit a neurologist.

Prevention

To avoid encountering these diseases, you should:

avoid carrying heavy objects for long periods of time;
visit more fresh air
introduce into food more products containing vitamin B12;
during monotonous work, take breaks for active physical movements;
treat stress in a timely manner;
completely quit smoking and alcohol;
dress warmly in cold weather.

We should not forget about preventive examinations, which are recommended to be performed at least once a year.

Most even absolutely healthy people encounters paresthesia. Numbness of the limbs occurs due to various factors, including serious diseases and temporary phenomena. For elimination this state It is important to find out why paresthesia occurs.

Left hand goes numb - reasons

All factors that provoke the problem under consideration are conditionally classified into 2 groups. Reasons why the left hand goes numb:

Physiological– poor circulation, muscle compression, tendon strain and others.
Medical– dangerous pathologies of the cardiovascular and nervous system.

The fingers on my left hand are going numb

This symptom often occurs due to harmless factors. After sleeping in an uncomfortable position, working with fingers for a long time (haircutting, typing, knitting), carrying heavy objects and other activities, many people experience numbness in their left hand within the palm. Discomfort quickly disappears if you stretch the limb or massage it, restoring normal blood circulation.

Medical reasons why the fingers on the left hand go numb:

damage to nerve fibers in the shoulder joint;
diseases of the cardiovascular system;
renal dysfunction;
lung pathologies;
liver diseases;
damage intervertebral discs cervical region;
neurological diseases.

Left hand goes numb

If paresthesia extends beyond the fingers, discomfort may be caused by the physiological reasons listed above. At night the left arm goes numb due to an uncomfortable sleeping position or long stay in one position. Sometimes discomfort is provoked by:

compression clothing and accessories;
professional activities (working on a computer, sewing, etc.);
injuries, sprains and bruises;
physical overload.

In other cases, due to more serious factors, the left arm (hand) goes numb - reasons:

acute deficiency of minerals and vitamins in the body;
carpal nerve damage;
osteochondrosis;
tunnel syndrome.

The presented variant of the pathology is observed mainly in the morning, if a person has slept on one side for a long time. Paresthesia can also be caused by other non-dangerous reasons listed above. Sometimes the left arm goes numb from the elbow due to diseases:

ischemic heart damage;
atherosclerosis;
nerve compression;
inflammation of muscles, tendons or ligaments;
arthrosis, arthritis of the elbow joint;
osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic spine;
avitaminosis.

Left arm goes numb from the shoulder

Paresthesia of the entire limb is rare and may indicate serious health problems. When numbness in the arm from the shoulder to the fingers occurs after waking up, it is caused by staying in one position for a long time. This condition is associated with numbness and limb tracking. You should immediately consult a doctor if numbness in your left hand does not go away on its own; the causes often include dangerous pathologies:

heart disease;
heart attack;
Raynaud's disease;
atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels;
stroke;
lung lesions;
chronic kidney pathologies;
diabetic neuropathy.

Left arm and leg go numb

This combination of symptoms indicates nerve damage, inflammation or pinching. If the left arm goes numb and in parallel there is paresthesia of the lower limb with swelling and pain syndrome, destruction of the intervertebral discs or progression of the hernia is more likely. In such situations, mobility is severely limited, the body seems to be constrained. Other serious diseases can also cause hand numbness - reasons:

Why is hand numbness dangerous?

The described symptom itself does not pose a threat, but the reasons that cause it can lead to irreversible consequences. The danger of numbness in the hands depends on the disease causing paresthesia. The seriousness of the problem can be assumed by observing the course of the pathology. If the numbness disappears quickly, for example, after normal circulation is restored, its cause was physiological. When paresthesia occurs randomly and does not go away without special therapy, it is important to consult a doctor.

Specified combination clinical signs often indicates cardiac lesions. If the left arm goes numb, the heart can be damaged due to the following diseases:

There are also less dangerous conditions in which the left arm goes numb and pain is felt in the chest area:

swelling during pregnancy;
pinched nerve;
calcium deficiency in the body.

Numbness of the hand due to osteochondrosis

The pathology of the musculoskeletal system in question progresses slowly but irreversibly. Numbness of the left hand can occur against the background of long-term osteochondrosis, when inflammation of the intervertebral discs occurs. Their protrusion and destruction, the formation of hernias lead to pinching of the nerve roots. This provokes paresthesia and is accompanied by severe pain.

Numbness of the arm after a fracture

The presented symptom is considered typical for the period of wearing plaster cast. It immobilizes the limb, constantly maintaining it in one position, sometimes squeezing the soft tissues, which provokes numbness in the hand, mainly in the fingers. After removing the cast, all signs of paresthesia should disappear on their own. If they do not go away, it is important to determine why the left arm hurts and goes numb. This condition is sometimes a symptom of:

diabetes mellitus;
improper fusion of bone tissue;
stroke;
thrombosis of large arteries;
joint mobility disorders;
tendon inflammation;
ligament damage;
carpal tunnel syndrome;
repeated damage to the limb due to severe overloads.

What to do if your left hand goes numb?

Taking into account the multifactorial nature of the problem under consideration, its therapy always begins with establishing an accurate diagnosis. To find out why your left hand is numb and hurts, you should visit several specialists:

In the process of determining the causes of paresthesia, you will have to perform a number of laboratory tests and undergo clinical studies:

ultrasound diagnostics;
radiography;
magnetic resonance or computed tomography;
Dopplerography;
electrocardiography;
urography;
urine and blood analysis;
liver tests;
linked immunosorbent assay;
hormonal panel;
blood tests for tumor markers and others.

Therapy is prescribed only after it has been established why the left arm is numb - treatment depends entirely on the cause of this condition. This may include:

Taking medications. In accordance with the factors that caused paresthesia, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, vitamins and mineral complexes, hormones, anticoagulants and other drugs.
Physiotherapy. Courses are used to normalize nerve conduction therapeutic massage, magnetic and radio wave effects, compression, water procedures and similar techniques.
Gymnastics. To improve the mobility of joints and muscles and restore their functions, individually selected sets of exercises are recommended.

Hello dear readers. Numbness of the left hand is a symptom that indicates abnormalities in the functioning of our body. Moreover, it can indicate both completely harmless problems and a rapidly developing heart attack or stroke. Most often, discomfort is caused by dysfunction of the circulatory or nervous systems. But one should not exclude trauma or a person’s psychosomatic state as a source of numbness. To understand the source of limb numbness, you should understand the nature of the sensations, pay attention to habits, a number of chronic and acquired diseases, and only then can you make assumptions. Today we will look at why the left hand goes numb, as well as the measures that should be taken.

Nature of pain

Always, first of all, pay attention to the nature of the unpleasant sensations. It is they who will tell you, and the attending physician, a number of reasons that could provoke numbness.

For example, short-term numbness of one or more fingers, which does not have pronounced regularity, can be associated with completely harmless reasons.

Among them are muscle compression or prolonged immobility of the limb. Both problems are solved with with the help of the lung massage and restoration of limb activity.

Short-term but frequent attacks of numbness, as well as constant slight discomfort, are a dangerous symptom.

In this case, the presence of damage to the central nervous system or serious circulatory disorders associated with heart disease cannot be ruled out. This type of pain is often a symptom of the development or exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Complete loss of sensation in the left hand or its parts is a reason to immediately call an ambulance or visit a doctor.

In such cases, the development of a stroke, heart attack or previous conditions cannot be ruled out. In addition, complete numbness of the limb may occur due to injury.

My left hand is going numb - what are the reasons and what to do?

It will allow you to suspect the presence of a serious illness, and will also speed up the diagnosis in case of hospitalization.

All existing reasons, which directly or indirectly cause numbness in the left hand, we divided into three groups.

The first is household, associated with daily human activity, they are the safest and rarely entail serious consequences.

The second is medical, they have serious help in the form of qualitative changes in the basic functions of the body.

The latter - injuries are associated with the main injuries that a person can receive.

1. Household

Numbness is not always caused by illness. For example, it may be caused by insufficient blood supply to nerve bundles or muscles.

This happens in the following cases:

— Paresthesia caused by excess pressure on muscle tissue - clothing, backpack or other heavy load.

— Poor sleeping position . A similar situation, only pressure has a longer lasting effect and, as a result, sensitivity decreases, up to complete numbness of the limb.

In this case, not only muscle tissue, but also a number of other tissues suffer due to deterioration of the blood supply to the arm.

— Occupational “disease” . Pianists, needlewomen, programmers and a number of other professions associated with overstrain of muscles and tendons can cause discomfort in the left hand. In this case, the problem can affect both hands.

— Holding your hand above your head . In this position, the human heart is not able to provide adequate blood circulation, therefore, due to its disruption, loss of sensitivity begins.

2. Medical

Alas, excluding platitudes, the causes of numbness remain medical, the source of which is illness or qualitative changes normal condition body, plus injuries.

Let's look at what are the most common and serious pathologies that cause paresthesia?

3. Vitamin deficiency

Such a banal but dangerous problem as vitamin deficiency leads to damage to the nerve membranes due to their insufficient nutrition.

The result is a decrease in sensitivity of the limbs. A special feature of this problem is the fact that along with the left hand, discomfort can also occur in other parts of the body.

How to determine it:

Decreased immunity.
Violations normal functioning Gastrointestinal tract.
Hair fragility, dandruff, dry skin.

4. Atherosclerosis

Essence of this disease is that normal blood circulation stops due to cholesterol plaques.

Blockage of blood vessels inevitably leads to various consequences. If the problem is localized in the brachial or ulnar artery, then as a result the arm begins to go numb.

In addition, the limb loses its normal color, performance decreases, and tissue degeneration occurs over time.

How to determine? Most often, the disease worries people over 40 years of age. Numbness is accompanied by goosebumps, and the fingers begin to “get cold.”

5. Osteochondrosis

The disease manifests itself as the inevitable destruction of vertebrae, joints, and ligaments. In an advanced state of the disease, destruction affects the nerve channels, completely or partially blocking their functionality.

Depending on the affected cervical region, numbness or complete failure of individual parts of the body can be observed. The lower cervical region is responsible for the left arm.

How to determine?

Osteochondrosis has a number of auxiliary symptoms that greatly simplify the diagnosis:

Numbness starts from the thumb.
Tingling sensations appear, which intensify with movement.
Headaches accompanied by dizziness.
Blurred vision when bending over or standing up suddenly.
High blood pressure.

6. Herniated intervertebral discs

Like osteochondrosis, this reason caused by effects on nerve channels. The main difference is that the pressure on the nerve is exerted by the hernia.

In addition to discomfort in the left arm, the patient experiences severe back pain, including loss of motor functions.

The solution to the problem is most often represented by surgical intervention.

7. Carpal tunnel syndrome

An ailment of office workers that appears as a result of working on a keyboard and awkward hand position.

Increased stress on the carpal tendon, immobility of the limb, and a number of other aspects of office work lead to swelling of the median nerve and swelling of the tendon.

Symptoms:

Selective numbness of fingers.
Tingling limbs.
Swollen wrist.

8. Pre-infarction state

One of the most dangerous reasons numbness of the left hand. It begins with loss of sensation in the ring and little fingers.

In this case, the heart has attacks, and the medications do not have the desired effect, and pain appears, radiating to the arm.

Against the background of the described symptoms, anxiety develops, panic state, the patient is bothered by dizziness and cold sweat.

If you notice such symptoms, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

With prompt treatment, there is a chance to prevent an attack and preserve the health and functional abilities of the patient’s body.

9. Raynaud's disease

A special type of illness associated with impaired performance small vessels, responsible for the blood supply to the hands.

The disease occurs in attacks, during which the blood vessels contract, preventing normal blood supply to the hands.

In this case, one can observe both a symmetrical and localized effect (the right or left hand goes numb).

10. Diabetic neuropathy

In this case, damage to the nerve endings occurs in diabetic patients. At the same time, the process of nerve dystrophy is final and if numbness has appeared, it will be impossible to restore the functionality of the organ completely.

The solution is strict control of sugar levels. On this moment There are no other ways to prevent loss of sensitivity, due to a lack of understanding of how the disease works. To date, the exact reasons for the death of nerve endings have not been established.

11. Chronic kidney disease

In case of complications chronic illness Nitrogen compounds accumulate in the blood. They and a number of other toxic substances in the blood begin to affect the central nervous system, gradually reducing the sensitivity of the nerves.

Most often, the problem affects large areas of the body, although it can also be localized in individual limbs.

12. Injuries

Finally, numbness in the left hand can result from any injury - bruise, sprain or fracture. However, the injury does not always affect the hand itself.

The left arm is directly and indirectly affected by injuries to the neck, spine, and shoulder joint. From positive points- injuries are easier to identify, since numbness occurs almost instantly after injury.

On the other hand, some injuries have serious traumatic consequences, for example, a spinal injury can lead to complete failure of the nerve endings of the left arm.

Nerves can also be damaged as a result of arm fractures, when a sharp edge of the bone damages a bundle of nerves.

Other symptoms:

Numbness of the hand when stationary.
Sharp pain when trying to move your fingers or limb.
Blueness of the skin.
Swelling at the site of impact.
Complete numbness of the hand.

When visiting a doctor, be sure to mention even minor blows or other injuries that preceded the numbness of the hand.

What to do if there is numbness in a limb? When to see a doctor?

Having studied possible problems and their danger, everyone should understand that there are cases when immediate contact with a doctor can save the patient’s life.

On the other hand, slight discomfort may be caused by overwork or incorrect position limbs.

That is why pay attention to the nature and duration of pain.

A single and short-term incident of numbness requires only a little attention. If you are concerned frequent pain— contact a neurologist for advice.

Finally, a sharp and complete numbness of the hand - sure sign serious problems with nervous system or heart. In such cases, contact your nearest point emergency assistance or call the doctors.

How to treat?

There are a lot of possible treatment options, as well as the causes of the problem. Therefore, before taking measures to prevent or treat numbness in the left hand, consult a neurologist.

His professional consultation will help you choose the right and effective course of treatment.

If there are no obvious reasons for hospitalization, then it is necessary to conduct an examination, which includes:

- History.

— Inspection.

— Blood and urine tests.

— X-ray.

A number of other, narrow studies.

The doctor will determine the exact number of tests, and based on them, he will establish a diagnosis and find out why the left arm is numb. Next, the patient will receive recommendations on further actions and, if necessary, a course of treatment.

Most often, treatment consists of a series of medicines(anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, restorative, etc.), which are prescribed based on the results of the examination.

As additional measure and prevention of complications, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.

An important rule for effective treatment is compliance with the doctor’s recommendations regarding the load on the limb. By avoiding overload, hypothermia and intoxication of the body, you can significantly speed up treatment.

If described, conservative measures did not bring the desired result, then surgical intervention may be prescribed. In some cases, surgery is the only chance to restore sensitivity and functionality of the limb.

Important! Don't self-medicate! Otherwise, you risk the functionality of the limb.

Numbness in the left arm may be caused by a problem with nerves, circulation, muscle tissue or bundles.

Based on this, as well as other information presented above, anyone can suspect one or another cause of discomfort.

The main thing to remember is that doctors make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment; our task is to respond to the body’s signals in a timely manner and prevent possible complications.

A huge number of people are faced with the phenomenon of numbness of the limbs. Of particular concern is a sharp numbness of the left hand - such a symptom can warn us about enough serious illnesses. For example, this could be a pre-infarction condition or a sign of an impending stroke.

But don't panic if your left hand is numb! First, let's understand everything possible reasons. In addition, the hand may become numb during sleep or after prolonged work at the computer - this is not so scary.

Why does my left hand go numb during sleep?

If you wake up at night or in the morning, feel an unpleasant tingling in your left hand and can hardly move it, there is most likely no reason for concern. Numbness of the hand, both left and right, may be due to disruption of the blood vessels. Perhaps you simply slept in an awkward position.

Some people also sometimes experience the so-called “lovers syndrome” - everyone probably knows the common sleeping position in which a woman’s head rests on a man’s arm or shoulder.

Because of this, the hand becomes numb, because the vessels in it are pinched and blood circulation is disrupted. So, if you feel numbness in your arm at night or when waking up in the morning, try doing physical exercises. Usually after 5-10 minutes the unpleasant sensations (“goosebumps”) disappear and normal hand mobility returns.

If the symptoms do not recur, then you do not have to worry about anything. If this situation occurs regularly, then it is better to consult a doctor for examination. In some cases, there is numbness in both hands, simultaneously or alternately. This may be a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis or polyneuropathy. More accurate diagnosis Only a specialist can supply it.

Why does my hand go numb while working at the computer?

We found out why your hand goes numb when you sleep. What about numbness during the working day? A huge number of office workers complain from time to time of numbness in their hands. This phenomenon is called "carpal tunnel syndrome." The carpal (or metacarpal) canal is the opening through which the trunk of the median nerve passes.

The metacarpal tunnel is located in the area of the tendon ligaments, which ensure proper mobility of the wrist. This numbness of the hands is sometimes also called “pianist syndrome.” People in various professions that require constant tension on their hands experience “pianist syndrome” at least from time to time. If discomfort occurs rarely and you do not feel severe pain, experts advise simply reducing the load on your wrists and be sure to do exercises for your joints.

However, if the hand often goes numb or the numbness is accompanied by noticeable pain, this may indicate a pinched nerve. In this case, an immediate visit to the doctor is required. In advanced stages, this disease can lead to dire consequences, including loss of the hand.

What to do if your hand suddenly goes numb?

When you feel numbness in your left arm from the hand and above (the numbness has an ascending nature) and at the same time you feel severe increasing pain, call immediately emergency assistance. If symptoms persist for more than an hour, it is most likely arterial thrombosis. A person whose left arm is painful and numb must be urgently hospitalized and measures must be taken to restore normal blood flow. The slightest delay can cost the patient a limb.

This is not the only one serious problem, a symptom of which may be numbness in the left arm. Often this phenomenon indicates an impending stroke or heart attack. If numbness is accompanied by pain in the heart, you should not hesitate for a second, this is a sign pre-infarction condition, call an ambulance.

A stroke can sometimes be recognized even before initial stage. It may not lead to a serious hemorrhage, however, if a person simultaneously has a numb left arm, a headache and speech impairment (it is difficult to pronounce words), these are already signs of a micro-stroke. Also, these symptoms are often accompanied by disruption of the facial muscles (it is difficult for a person, for example, to smile). Immediate appeal In this case, it is imperative to see emergency doctors.

We figured out the main reasons why the left hand goes numb. Fortunately, the most common is numbness associated with disruption of the circulatory system. It is very simple to eliminate its causes, and besides, it is easy to carry out prevention. Morning exercises, walks in the fresh air, proper nutrition And normal sleep in most cases, they reduce the likelihood that you will crush your blood channels in your sleep. The same recommendations should be given to those who suffer from cervical osteochondrosis, as well as to people at risk of heart attack or stroke.

Concerning last group- here one charge will not be enough. Try to avoid stress and see your doctor regularly. It’s better to play it safe once again to prevent a tragedy. If you have problems with blood pressure, get a good blood pressure monitor and measure your blood pressure regularly, especially when you feel unwell. If you see that your blood pressure is even slightly higher than normal, try to take measures to reduce it. This will help prevent critical conditions.

systolic (upper): 109 + (0.5 x age, years) + (0.1 x weight, kg);
diastolic (lower): 63 + (0.1 x age, years) + (0.15 x weight, kg).