Is arm numbness at night harmful? Not always, because it is very common for every person when their one or both arms seem to fall asleep, they feel as if they are going numb, or as if they are being poked by pins and needles. The medical term for this feeling is paresthesia. Let’s talk about paresthesia and how it can be treated?

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What is Arm Numbness at Night?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the United States, paresthesia is a “burning or prickling sensation” which more commonly happens in the limbs, hands, and feet. People also move to describe paresthesia as a feeling of pins and needles, crawling skin, or numbness. It can appear at any time, with no warning. The period of the sensation may be uncomfortable, it is usually painless.

What are the Causes of Arm Numbness at Night?

This pins and needles sensation is also known as paresthesia. Most of the time, the cause is simple. It happens if you’ve laid on your arm or put some pressure on it. It prevents the blood from flowing normally to the nerves.

Poor positioning can also lead to pressure being placed directly on a nerve. The nerves begin to react to the lack of blood flow or pinching by causing momentary tingling. If you wake up with this kind of a feeling, readjust to relieve this pressure. More longterm paresthesia may be a sign of an underlying medical issue.

Possible conditions might include:

Vitamin B deficiency

There are many types of vitamin B, and they all help to maintain cell health and keep you energized. Although many people get enough B vitamins through their diet, some people may also need to take supplements to meet their recommended daily amount.

If you aren’t getting enough vitamin B, you may experience paresthesia. This is most common among:

• Older adults

• Vegans

• People who drink alcohol excessively

• People with pernicious anemia

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Fluid Retention

Fluid retention can be caused by a number of things, including high salt intake and fluctuating hormone levels during menstruation. This can cause swelling to occur throughout the body or it can also be localized in certain body parts. Sometimes this swelling can disrupt circulation and trigger a tingling sensation in the affected area.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If the numbness or tingling is also affecting your hand, it may be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. This happens when the median nerve is compressed or pinched. Making the same motions repeatedly such as typing on a keyboard or working with machinery, can trigger it.

Peripheral Neuropathy:

If you have diabetes and are experiencing paresthesia regularly, it may be caused by nerve damage. This damage is called peripheral neuropathy and is caused by persistently high blood sugar levels.

How to Prevent Arm Numbness at Night?

It is possible to prevent the issues which cause paresthesia in the arms at night. For example, a person may benefit from learning to sleep in a less restrictive position. If a person is at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, wearing a brace or doing exercises might help. If a vitamin B deficiency is causing the sensation of the arms falling asleep, a doctor can prescribe supplements or recommend changes to the diet.

What is the Treatment of Arm Numbness at Night?

If the paresthesia is infrequent, it may not need to undergo any treatment. Repositioning yourself to release pressure on the nerve may be enough to relieve any tingling or numbness that you’re experiencing.

If you experience this pins and needles sensation on a regular basis, it may be a sign of an underlying condition. Your doctor will work with you to determine the cause of your paresthesia and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Conclusion

Here, we have discussed arm numbness at night and its, causes, preventions and the treatment. Basically, the treatment is to keep doing regular exercises, yoga and take proper and good sleep. If your problem gets worst and the numbness increases then don’t ignore and consult your doctor as soon as possible.

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