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What Causes Tingling Sensation In Hands That Are Worsening At Night?
Question: I have tingling in both hands specifically in fingers [middle and index and thumb] seems to be worse at night graduating to numbness
Brief Answer:
Probable carpal tunnel syndrome.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and II am sorry about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Reading at that description the symptoms are typical for carpal tunnel syndrome. It happens due to compression of a nerve which is called the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist (a tunnel formed by the bones and ligaments at the wrist area).
Its symptoms correspond exactly to yours, tingling and numbness feeling at the thumb, index and middle fingers, which is worse at night. In many cases it is bilateral.
Causes or predisposing factors leading to nerve compression can be many, such as: congenitally narrow carpal tunnel, rheumatological disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, wrist fractures. Specific activities such as frequent repetitive movements of the wrist, prolonged extreme postures of the wrists, pressuring force on wrist for a long time etc are also at times related to this condition.
Neurological exam and nerve conduction studies are recommended, to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other possible causes. Also some lab tests for some of the above mentioned accompanying conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease are indicated.
Treatment first of all consists in addressing the cause if found (diabetes, thyroid dysfunction). To relieve the symptoms over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen may be tried. The use of a splint to hold your wrist is often helpful. Temporary relief may also be provided by injection of corticosteroids and/or anesthetics in the wrist.
If these conservative measures are not useful surgery may be indicated to relieve pressure, it's a simple procedure under local anesthesia.
I hope to have been of help.
Probable carpal tunnel syndrome.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and II am sorry about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Reading at that description the symptoms are typical for carpal tunnel syndrome. It happens due to compression of a nerve which is called the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist (a tunnel formed by the bones and ligaments at the wrist area).
Its symptoms correspond exactly to yours, tingling and numbness feeling at the thumb, index and middle fingers, which is worse at night. In many cases it is bilateral.
Causes or predisposing factors leading to nerve compression can be many, such as: congenitally narrow carpal tunnel, rheumatological disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, wrist fractures. Specific activities such as frequent repetitive movements of the wrist, prolonged extreme postures of the wrists, pressuring force on wrist for a long time etc are also at times related to this condition.
Neurological exam and nerve conduction studies are recommended, to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other possible causes. Also some lab tests for some of the above mentioned accompanying conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease are indicated.
Treatment first of all consists in addressing the cause if found (diabetes, thyroid dysfunction). To relieve the symptoms over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen may be tried. The use of a splint to hold your wrist is often helpful. Temporary relief may also be provided by injection of corticosteroids and/or anesthetics in the wrist.
If these conservative measures are not useful surgery may be indicated to relieve pressure, it's a simple procedure under local anesthesia.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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