Poor falls asleep
introduction
"Falling asleep" of the arm usually means harmless temporary numbness and / or a tingling sensation.
If the arm occasionally falls asleep and there are no further symptoms, the cause is often without any disease value. But numbness and a tingling sensation in the arm can also indicate illnesses that require treatment.
If one or both arms “fall asleep” more often or the abnormal sensations no longer go away, a doctor should be contacted.
Causes of arm asleep
There are many reasons for your arms to "fall asleep". Here one can distinguish between causes without disease value and causes with disease value. Short-term irritation of certain nerves can lead to short-term abnormal sensations and numbness in the arm. These are mostly harmless. Imbalances, tension and tension in various muscles in the neck, neck and arm areas can temporarily compress one or more nerves. This irritates the nerves and causes temporary abnormal sensations. As a rule, no (medical) treatment is required.
But diseases such as multiple sclerosis, a herniated disc or a migraine with aura can provoke one or both arms to “fall asleep”. These diseases must be differentiated and treated by a doctor. Furthermore, certain deficiencies (e.g. vitamin deficiency), diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse, certain medications or infections can cause tingling and numbness in the arms. These causes also require medical assistance.
If a suddenly occurring numbness is accompanied by paralysis and cannot be assigned, emergency medical help should be sought directly. In the event of an inability to move the arm, to specifically grip something, a hemiplegia and / or sudden speech disorders, a stroke should always be ruled out by a medical professional.
For detailed information, see: disc prolapse
Can this be an indication of a deficiency?
A deficiency in certain vitamins and nutrients can manifest itself in abnormal sensations. These mostly manifest themselves in the hands or in the feet. In some cases these nerve disorders can also appear as a deficiency in the arms. In particular, a vitamin B12 deficiency can mean that the hands and feet and possibly the arms "fall asleep".
An imbalance in other nutrients and a deficiency in iron and / or magnesium are also potential triggering factors. If these nerve disorders are caused by a vitamin deficiency, they can result in weakened muscle strength, impaired sensitivity, impaired coordination and even paralysis. Elderly people are particularly affected by a vitamin B 12 deficiency. The extent to which a vegetarian or vegan diet plays a role in this context is controversial. However, a vitamin B12 deficiency is often not recognized. In about 25% of all cases the deficiency symptoms show up without a deficiency being able to be determined in the blood count. There can definitely be a functional deficiency in the vitamin despite normal blood values. This can be proven by measuring the connection between vitamin B12 and a binding protein. This compound is known as holo-transcobalamin (holo-TC).
If the cause of the "falling asleep" arms is a vitamin deficiency, this should be examined and treated by a doctor. Often a change in diet alone is not enough. A vitamin supplement in tablet form is often required, at least temporarily. Regular check-ups should be carried out.
Please also read: Vitamin B12 supplements
Can this indicate a stroke?
A stroke can manifest itself in many different ways. Depending on which area in the brain is affected, the body can suddenly fail. This can affect motor skills, thinking and acting, as well as sensitivity. Sudden sensory disorders, movement disorders and hemiplegia of one arm can also occur.
Often - but not necessarily - other complaints occur in addition to the disorders relating to the arm. If there is any suspicion that a stroke has caused the symptoms, an emergency doctor should be called immediately. It is very possible that the person concerned does not notice the disturbance himself or that he cannot react adequately to it. If relatives suspect that a stroke has been diagnosed, a doctor should be clarified as soon as possible. The sooner a stroke is treated, the better the prognosis.
Read more on the subject at: Signs of a stroke
Multiple sclerosis as a cause?
Multiple sclerosis can cause nerve disorders of all kinds. Therefore, theoretically, these can also manifest themselves in the form of the arms "falling asleep". Multiple sclerosis leads to inflammation and breakdown of the nerve cell insulation discs. These are also known as myelin sheaths and are located in various places in the central nervous system. Therefore, the disorders and the course can show very different.
According to current statistics, the most common first symptoms are sensory disorders of the arms and legs. About 30-50% are affected. The second most common symptom is visual disturbance (see also: Dizziness and blurred vision). About 20% of the patients who show this initial symptom are of a young age. The third most common signs of the disease are muscle dysfunction, including in the arms, but also in the legs. These can be expressed as increased muscle stiffness, lack of strength or paralysis. Often there are problems with balance and coordination. If the arms are affected, specific grasping and fine motor functions can be restricted. If the legs are affected, standing insecurities and gait disorders can develop.
In addition, other complaints can occur, such as abnormal fatigue, bladder emptying disorder, bowel emptying disorders, sexual disorders, disturbed, altered articulation and mental disorders.
Read more at: Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Can it also come from the heart when the left arm falls asleep?
Some people who have had a heart attack report a referred pain in their left arm. These complaints are usually described as pain and less as "falling asleep" of the left arm. But since the perceptions and descriptions are very different, this should be taken seriously. Heart exams should be performed especially if additional chest pain or heart problems occur.
Read more about this:
- Signs of a heart attack
- Diagnosing a heart attack
Diagnosis with the arm asleep
In order to make an adequate diagnosis, the doctor must conduct appropriate questioning of the patient. In some cases an (additional) questioning of a relative is necessary. The doctor looks at the arm and the overall picture of the body.
The sensitivity, agility, coordination and reflexes are tested. Depending on the suspected diagnosis, various examinations are carried out. These could be various blood tests and imaging tests.
Which diagnostic procedures still exist? You can find detailed information on this at: Diagnosis
Concomitant symptoms
The accompanying complaints can often give important clues to the causes of the poor "fallen asleep". If deficiency symptoms are the reason for the sensitivity disturbances, fatigue, exhaustion, susceptibility to infection, movement and coordination disorders up to paralysis can occur.
If the cause of the arms “falling asleep” is a cervical spine problem and / or a herniated disc in the relevant area, neck, back and headaches can also occur. In a very acute state, vegetative derailment can occur. This can lead to sweating, nausea, vomiting and dizziness, up to and including a circulatory collapse with unconsciousness.
If there is causal multiple sclerosis, unspecific accompanying symptoms such as tiredness, general feeling of illness, fatigue and weight loss can arise in the preliminary stages. In addition, disturbances in coordination and targeted gripping can occur at the same time. An intention tremor can sometimes be seen in the hand or arm. This means that the hand and arm tremble (intensified) when reaching for an object. In addition, coordination and movement disorders of the trunk and legs can become apparent. In addition, multiple sclerosis can cause eye tremors and a slurred or choppy articulation. The arm and other parts of the body can also be painful.
You might also be interested in the following articles:
- Hand falls asleep at night
- Symptoms of a herniated disc
- Numbness in the hand
Pain in arm asleep
Depending on the cause, the arm itself or other parts of the body can hurt at rest or when touched or when stressed. With reduced sensitivity, however, there can also be reduced pain and thus the failure of an important protective function. For example, in the context of diabetes mellitus it is possible that the pain is reduced.
Shoulder pain
The causes of arm “falling asleep” associated with shoulder pain can be polymorphic. The pain can be caused by local changes in the shoulder. These can affect the muscles, nerves, bones or bursae located there. The pain can result from external or internal damage to the structures mentioned.
But it can also be that the “real” cause is “hidden” in the context of a disorder, asymmetry or restriction of another area of the body. Through compensatory mechanisms, compensatory movements and compensatory tension, shoulder pain and a "falling asleep" arm can be the consequence.
You can read more detailed information on this topic in the next article: Shoulder pain
Tingling in the arm
When a nerve is temporarily or permanently compressed or damaged, it can represent a "tingling sensation" in the arm. The “tingling sensation” is also associated with paresthesia in technical terms. In most cases it is felt to be very uncomfortable. Some describe it as "ant walking".
Also read: Deafness sensory disorder
Symptoms during pregnancy
During pregnancy, for various reasons, the arms may “fall asleep” (more often). This can be explained by the accumulation of water that can press on nerves and then trigger a “confusion” of the nerves, which can lead to tingling and numbness.
Furthermore, in the course of pregnancy there can be a causal vitamin and iron deficiency - with the result of a nerve disorder and "falling asleep" arms. In addition, during pregnancy, tension, imbalances in the muscles, changes in posture and movement can occur, which can result in paresthesia of the arms. If you are unsure, the gynecologist should always be contacted.
Please also read:
- Vitamins in Pregnancy
- Edema in pregnancy
What if the arm only ever falls asleep at night?
In some cases, irritation of the nerves supplying the arm can only happen at night. If the arm has been positioned unfavorably for a long time at night or has been lying on it, the arm can "fall asleep". Since it is difficult to completely control and regulate the sleeping position at night, a temporary nocturnal nerve disorder can only be prevented to a limited extent. Sometimes, however, changes to the pillow and mattress are helpful.
You can read detailed information on this topic in the next article: The hand falls asleep at night
These therapy options exist
Treatment depends on the cause. If it is only an occasional "fall asleep" of the arm without any disease value, no drug treatment is required. In these cases, it should be carefully observed in which situations the tingling and numbness appear. These situations should be analyzed as well as possible and changes in behavior, posture and / or movement should be made accordingly.
- If the nerve disorders are caused by a vitamin deficiency, an appropriate medically guided substitution should be made.
- If there is an orthopedic problem, advice and treatment from an orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist is recommended. In some cases, surgery is required.
- If there is a neurological problem, for example multiple sclerosis, this is treated with medication and non-medication, depending on the severity and symptoms. In drug therapy, on the one hand, the symptoms, such as Pain, treated and, on the other hand, drugs are used that aim to delay both the breakdown of the myelin sheaths and the breakdown of gray matter. In addition, the focus is on physiotherapy, speech, occupational and neuropsychotherapy, with the aim of maintaining quality of life and autonomy.
- If there are causal infections, these must be treated with suitable agents depending on the pathogen.
- If diseases such as a migraine with aura or diabetes mellitus have caused the disturbances, adequate drug and non-drug treatment is required. This also includes advice and support for any lifestyle modification that may be necessary. Please also read: Beta blockers for migraines
- In the case of causal alcohol abuse, appropriate withdrawal therapy and accompanying symptomatic therapy must take place.
Duration of the arm asleep
The length of time the arm “fell asleep” is linked to the cause. In the case of harmless temporary irritation of the nerves, the state of the "asleep" arm usually only lasts a few minutes. If the symptoms persist and persist for more than 30 minutes or if they are permanent, it is strongly recommended to contact a doctor.
If the cause is orthopedic or neurological in nature and is not treated, the symptom will recur, persist and worsen over the long term or additional complaints may arise.If the cause of a vitamin deficiency is not corrected, the symptoms will most likely not improve or worsen. A causal, untreated diabetes mellitus can lead to a metabolic imbalance up to a diabetic coma, which is fatal if left untreated.
Such is the prognosis
Harmless, occasional "falling asleep" of the arms without any disease value has a good prognosis. If the causes are appropriately avoided, the likelihood is high that the temporary paresthesias will decrease. As a rule, these occasional irritations of the nerves do not cause any consequential damage. For orthopedic, neurological, infectious and other causes, the prognosis depends on the degree of the disease and the treatment options.
