Emotionless Hands: Why Is This Happening?

Emotionless hands can be a frequent and uncomfortable feeling. The affected part of the body becomes stiff and inflexible  and you will most likely have a stabbing pain.

This is often a reason to go to the doctor. The problem is that the origin is very varied, and thus it can be complex to reach the correct diagnosis. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about numb hands and what the most common causes are.

What happens when you experience numb hands?

Numbness hands, as we have explained,  are a change in the sensitivity and movement of this part of the body. The feeling of touch is changed and it is not easy to move his fingers.

In many cases, one will feel a burning and buzzing sensation in addition to feeling the sting. Depending on the cause of the numbness, it may be only in the fingers, in one hand or in both.

One reason for numb hands is cold, which is quite common and usually has no lasting consequences. However, according to a study conducted in Sweden,  the most common disorder is carpal tunnel syndrome. This study explains that one in five people who experience this symptom is probably affected by this syndrome.

Causes of numb hands

Numbness hands can be caused by many different reasons. A systemic disorder that occurs in the upper limbs, or an injury to the nerves (from pressure or injury for example) can lead to this feeling.

However, there may also be a change in the brain or bone marrow in the spine, as both are organs that coordinate emotions and mobility. That said, these injuries are usually more serious and show obvious and disabling symptoms.

Metabolic or infectious diseases as well as certain medical treatments can lead to this situation. In the following sections of this article, we will explain in detail what the primary causes of this problem are.

Disorders of the brain and nervous system

Any disorder that affects the nervous system and in particular damages the area related to the hands can cause numbness. It is, for example, Guillain-Baré syndrome. It is a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerve cells.

According to a study published in the Postgraduate Journal of the Vla Cátedra de Medicina, numb hands are one of the diagnosable symptoms. Cervical spondylosis is also related to this, as it involves wear and tear on the cartilage discs of the spine, which is where the nerves that go out to the extremities begin their journey.

Damage caused by impact or overload

In this category, we find carpal tunnel syndrome as a primary cause. This is where the median nerve gets squeezed. It is a nerve that runs from the forearm and out to the fingers. This causes pain in the wrist, numbness, cramps and a stabbing pain.

Although it is the primary cause, some of the other syndromes and injuries also lead to this feeling. For example, there is cubital tunnel syndrome. Here another nerve is pinched. The same thing happens when the brachial plexus is injured after an accident.

The last mechanism ends in a common nerve that gets pinched. The brain misinterprets the signals that come from the pinched nerves and sends signals of a buzzing, pain and even paralysis to the hand.

Infectious diseases that can cause numb hands

Lyme disease is an infection that you can get from bites from certain ticks. According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  , it is likely that you will experience numbness in your hands if you are not treated in time.

Another infectious disorder that can cause this symptom is syphilis. As with the above disease, delaying treatment damages the nervous system as it develops.

Chronic disorders

Many diseases can result in damage to the nerves. The result of these disorders will be changes in the sense of touch and mobility. Diabetes is one of the most important and common. It produces diabetic neuropathy, which according to the University of California is directly associated with numb hands.

Alcohol intake, amyloidosis and multiple sclerosis are also chronic processes that affect this. Although cancer is not the most typical disease that causes this, chemotherapy treatment uses drugs that can produce certain side effects.

Other possible causes of numb hands

An anecdotal fact blames the ganglia. These are cysts that frequently occur in the joints such as the wrist. If they grow too much or press on a nearby nerve, it leads to numbness.

On the other hand  , vasculitis limits the flow of blood to the palm and fingers. Vascular inflammation causes inflammation in the artery walls, which then reduces their abilities. This therefore means that less oxygen reaches the tissues, causing damage.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you notice numbness in your hands, see a medical professional. They should be able to perform a physical examination and the necessary tests to make a diagnosis.

As we have seen, the reasons are varied and it is possible that to begin with there is no obvious solution. It can take several different attempts to determine what disorder it is. But don’t worry, most cases have a solution.