Numbness in hands

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Numbness in one or both hands describes a loss of sensation or feeling in your hand or fingers. Numbness in hands is usually caused by irritation or compression of a branch of a nerve traveling to the arms, hands or fingers. Numbness in hands may be accompanied by tingling, burning, weakness or sometimes sharp pain.

If you experience hand numbness, consult with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, numbness in hands is associated with life-threatening diseases, such as a stroke.

Causes
References
  1. Rosenfeld J, et al. Numbness: A practical guide for family physicians. American Academy of Neurology. http://www.aan.com/familypractice/pdf/FINAL%20NUMBNESS%203.pdf. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  2. Briemberg HR, et al. Approach to the patient with sensory loss. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  3. Amyloidosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch160/ch160a.html. Accessed Feb. 2, 2011.
  4. NINDS brachial plexus injuries information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brachial_plexus/brachial_plexus.htm. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  5. Cervical spondylosis (arthritis of the neck). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00369. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  6. Ganglion (cyst) of the wrist. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00006. Accessed Feb. 3, 2011.
  7. Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm. Accessed Feb. 3, 2011.
  8. NINDS Paraneoplastics syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paraneoplastic/paraneoplastic.htm. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011.
  9. Raynaud's syndrome. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4687. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011.
  10. About Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. http://www.sjogrens.org/home/about-sjogrens-syndrome. Accessed Feb. 3, 2011.
  11. Syrinx. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/sec16/ch224/ch224j.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2011.
  12. Carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm. Accessed Feb. 3, 2011.
  13. Vasculitis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/vas/vas_whatis.html 2/. Accessed Feb. 6, 2011.
  14. What you need to know about stroke. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke_needtoknow.htm. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011.
MY00509 April 21, 2011

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