Arm Numbness: Exploring Common Medical Conditions

Can determining whether arm numbness occurs suddenly or gradually and whether there are other symptoms help healthcare providers diagnose and treat the condition?

 

Arm Numbness

Arm numbness or tingling is a common symptom caused by various medical conditions. Numbness can result from a sudden health emergency, a nerve disorder, or a nutritional deficiency. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2024) Sometimes, this symptom results from an arm falling asleep and could resolve after just a few minutes. The sensation may be temporary, caused by something like sleeping in the wrong position. However, arm numbness and tingling may also be caused by neuropathy and chronic and progressive nerve damage and can also suddenly occur due to serious conditions, such as a heart attack or a stroke.

Circulation Issues

Deficient blood circulation in the arm can cause numbness and tingling because the nerves don’t receive enough oxygen. Conditions can interfere with normal blood flow and include: (Bryan L. and Singh A. 2024)

• Atherosclerosis – plaque buildup in the arteries that may require medication or surgery.
• Severe frostbite can damage the blood vessels but can be resolved with proper warming and wound care.
• Vasculitis – is inflammation of the blood vessels that can be treated with medication.

Sleeping Position

A common example of sudden numbness and tingling is feeling like your arm has fallen asleep. This usually occurs after sleeping awkwardly or leaning on the arm for a long time. Known as paresthesia, this sensation is related to nerve compression or irritation. (Bryan L. and Singh A. 2024) Sleeping in certain positions can cause nerve compression, especially when the hands or wrists are tucked or curled under the body; maintaining proper spine alignment while sleeping is the best way to prevent arm numbness.

Nerve Injuries and Conditions

Persistent numbness may be related to an injury or underlying health problem that affects the brachial plexus, a group of nerves that runs from the lower neck to the upper shoulders and controls movement and sensation in the arms. (Mount Sinai, 2022) Possible injuries that affect these nerves include: (Smith, S. M. et al., 2021)

• A herniated disc caused by aging or trauma can leak out and press on the nerve root.
• Burner or stinger injuries can also affect the neck and shoulders.
• Backpacker’s palsy is caused by pressure on the shoulders.
• Birth injuries such as Erb-Duchenne’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy.
• Traumatic nerve root avulsion injury in which spinal nerves are damaged.

Diseases and disorders that can cause numbness in the arms include conditions that affect the nervous system, like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Raynaud phenomenon, and shingles. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2023) (Smith, S. M. et al., 2021)

Numbness and Serious Health Conditions

Stroke

• This is a medical emergency in which a blockage prevents blood from getting to the brain.
• One sign of a stroke is a tingling sensation on one side of the body.
• Individuals may also be unable to move one or more limbs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)
• Seek emergency medical care.

Heart Disease

• When the heart is damaged, blood cannot circulate, which can lead to a minor or major heart attack.
• Signs of a heart attack include numbness in one or both arms, and it is not always the left arm. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022)
• Pressure pain in the chest and shortness of breath are other signs that require immediate medical attention.

Spinal Osteoarthritis

• Wear and tear in the spine’s joints can lead to spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerves. (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2023)
• Physical therapy and medication can manage spinal stenosis.

Cancer

• Neoplastic tumors can affect the brachial plexus nerves, causing loss of feeling in the arms.
• Breast and lung cancers are the most likely. (Smith, S. M. et al., 2021)

Diabetes

• Loss of feeling in the arms can be a sign of peripheral neuropathy, which can be caused by uncontrolled diabetes. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024)
• Treatment requires managing blood sugar and oral and topical medications.

Medication Numbness

The relationship between arm numbness and medication usage can be complex. (Senderovich H. and Jeyapragasan G. 2018)

• Many medications, like gabapentin, can be used to alleviate the sensations of arm numbness.
• Some medications can cause numbness as a side effect.
• Some medications can cause complications, and arm numbness may be a symptom of those complications.

Inform healthcare providers about the medications you are taking so they can determine whether they are related to any sensory changes.

Vitamin Deficiency

Peripheral neuropathy can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies and vitamin imbalances, which can damage nerves and cause sensation loss in the left or right arm. The most common sources are vitamin B12 deficiency and excess vitamin B6. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2024) Excessive alcohol consumption and other disorders that affect nutritional intake can also lead to nerve damage.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, our areas of practice include Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, back injuries, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Wellness & Nutrition, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain and restore function. If other treatment is needed, we refer individuals to a clinic or physician best suited to their injury, condition, and/or ailment.

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References

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Paresthesia. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/glossary-neurological-terms#paresthesia

Bryan, L., Singh, A. Sleep Foundation. (2024). Numbness in Hands While Sleeping: Causes and Remedies. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/numbness-in-hands-while-sleeping

Mount Sinai. (2022). Brachial plexopathy. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/brachial-plexopathy

Smith, S. M., McMullen, C. W., & Herring, S. A. (2021). Differential Diagnosis for the Painful Tingling Arm. Current sports medicine reports, 20(9), 462–469. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000877

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2023). Vasculitis. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/vasculitis/symptoms#:~:text=Nerve%20problems%2C%20including%20numbness%2C%20tingling,can%20also%20occur%20with%20vasculitis.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Stroke signs and symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). What Is a Heart Attack? Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-attack

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2023). Spinal Stenosis Basics. Retrieved from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/spinal-stenosis/basics/symptoms-causes

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Peripheral Neuropathy. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/peripheral-neuropathy

Senderovich, H., & Jeyapragasan, G. (2018). Is there a role for combined use of gabapentin and pregabalin in pain control? Too good to be true?. Current medical research and opinion, 34(4), 677–682. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2017.1391756

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Peripheral Neuropathy. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy