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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness In The Hands?

About an hour into my sleep cycle I awake with little finger and one next to it completely numb, both hands. I have to flex my fingers for about 30 seconds to restore felling. Then I am symptom free the rest of the night. I take a small dose of antihypertension med just before bed.
Thu, 21 Jun 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

If this is a single episode, meaning you have not noticed this problem before, than it is very likely to the sleep position and the chance that the arms might have been in a position that quenches the ulnar nerve especially after it comes out of the elbow. This is very likely especially because you were better after waking up and moving the fingers which means you moved from the position you were sleeping and were helping the blood flow locally and in the nerve by moving the fingers. If the episode repeats (which seems very unlikely by what you explain) then other causes need to be considered like narrow spaces between the cervical vertebra. In this case a doctor needs to examine you and check for reduced feeling in the area, helping him to have an understanding of the cause also. If you are using alcohol, please be advised to reduce to 2 drinks a day because alcohol can cause thiamine and B12 deficiency and neurological symptoms.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Numbness In The Hands?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. If this is a single episode, meaning you have not noticed this problem before, than it is very likely to the sleep position and the chance that the arms might have been in a position that quenches the ulnar nerve especially after it comes out of the elbow. This is very likely especially because you were better after waking up and moving the fingers which means you moved from the position you were sleeping and were helping the blood flow locally and in the nerve by moving the fingers. If the episode repeats (which seems very unlikely by what you explain) then other causes need to be considered like narrow spaces between the cervical vertebra. In this case a doctor needs to examine you and check for reduced feeling in the area, helping him to have an understanding of the cause also. If you are using alcohol, please be advised to reduce to 2 drinks a day because alcohol can cause thiamine and B12 deficiency and neurological symptoms. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.