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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Numbness In The Arm. Due To Poor Blood Circulation?

Hi, for the past couple months, I ve fallen asleep on my arm multiple times, and when I wake up my arm is completely numb! It doesn t respond, it s like a deadweight. I can t move my fingers either. After a couple of minutes I can move it again. Is losing circulation for the whole night bad for my arm? Does it hurt my muscles in my arm in anyway?
Thu, 8 Nov 2012
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hello,
Due to prolonged pressure on the arm there is an obstruction of blood supply to the arm especially to the nerves of the arm. Also pressure is transmitted to the nerve directly also and causes the disturbance of its function. If pressure is taken off well in time the damage is not irreversible. But prolonged pressure during sleep can cause palsy which can be permanent !!
It is advisable to get rid of this habit of sleeping over the arm. Once in a while many people experience this, but having it recurrently should be a warning for you to act before it is too late.
Good luck.
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Numbness In The Arm. Due To Poor Blood Circulation?

Hello, Due to prolonged pressure on the arm there is an obstruction of blood supply to the arm especially to the nerves of the arm. Also pressure is transmitted to the nerve directly also and causes the disturbance of its function. If pressure is taken off well in time the damage is not irreversible. But prolonged pressure during sleep can cause palsy which can be permanent !! It is advisable to get rid of this habit of sleeping over the arm. Once in a while many people experience this, but having it recurrently should be a warning for you to act before it is too late. Good luck.