Why Does My Hand Keep Falling Asleep? Common Causes & What to Do
Have you ever felt a strange tingling in your hand, like it's "asleep"? Maybe you wake up in the middle of the night with your hand numb. Or maybe your fingers feel tingly while using your phone or working at a desk. It's a common feeling, but if it happens often, it might indicate something more serious.
When your hand “falls asleep,” it usually means a nerve is being pressed or pinched. This can happen when you lean on your arm for too long, bend your wrist in a certain way, or sleep with your arm under your pillow. In those cases, the feeling disappears away quickly once you move your arm. But if your hand feels numb or tingly often, there may be a medical reason behind it.
Common Causes
One common cause is carpal tunnel syndrome. This happens when a nerve in your wrist gets squeezed. It can tingle your thumb, index, and middle fingers. People with carpal tunnel may notice it more at night or after doing the same movement over and over, like typing or using tools.
Another cause is ulnar nerve compression, which occurs when the nerve near your elbow is pinched. This often causes numbness in your ring and pinky fingers. It might get more painful if you rest your elbows on a desk or bend your arms while sleeping.
Sometimes, the problem starts in your neck. A pinched nerve in your spine can send pain, tingling, or numbness down your arm and into your hand. Having a slipped disc in your neck or arthritis can cause cervical radiculopathy.
You might also feel this way from sleeping in an unsuitable position or using your hand in the same way for a long time. These moments are usually not serious. But if the feeling keeps returning, or it lasts for a long time, it’s important to get it checked out.
In some cases, health conditions like diabetes, low vitamin B12, or thyroid problems can also affect your nerves. These conditions can make your hands and feet feel numb or tingly more often. If you have one of these health issues and your hands fall asleep often, talk to your doctor.
So how do I know when to see a specialist?
If your hand feels numb often, if it wakes you up at night, or if you're dropping things more than usual, it's time to get help. A hand specialist can test what’s occurring on and suggest the right treatment.
There are many ways to treat hand numbness. You might wear a brace at night, change the way you sit or use your hands, or try our In-House therapy to stretch and strengthen your muscles. If the nerve is very compressed, surgery might be needed to fix it. But the earlier you get help, the better your chances of avoiding long-term problems.
At the Hand & Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio, our team helps people with hand and nerve problems. Dr. Srinivasan and our specialists are trained to find the cause of your symptoms and help you feel better.
If your hand keeps falling asleep, don’t ignore it. A simple problem could also be a symptom of something more serious. Call us today to schedule an appointment and get expert care from doctors who focus only on the hand, wrist, elbow, and arm.
Expert Hand Care in San Antonio you can trust
Our team focuses only on conditions that affect the hand, wrist, elbow, and arm. Our specialists are highly trained in diagnosing and treating nerve-related issues that can cause numbness, tingling, or hand weakness. If you’re experiencing symptoms that don’t go away, we’re here to help you get answers—and get back to doing the things you love, pain-free.