Left Arm Numbness at Night

Few days back one of my dear friend Maria came to visit me. Like always we got in to our talks and then eventually she told me that for past few months she has been experiencing severe numbness in her left arm at night. Being unaware of the cause, she usually used to wake up with cramps in her hands causing intense pain and discomfort. And for the past one month, she has been suffering more numbing and pain in her elbow, arm and even fingers that most of the time she's unable to sleep at night. Getting worried of her condition, we decided to visit a doctor to diagnose the actual causes and cure for the disorder...

Left arm numbness during the night usually occurs suddenly and may sustain for a few seconds to couple of minutes, and in extreme cases, even till next morning. Although numbness in left arm is not a life-threatening disorder, there are various causes ranging from severe to mild that contribute to its occurrence.

Causes

• Nerve Compression: One of the most common cause of left arm numbness is compression of the nerve running from our central nervous system to the arm. This compression interrupts the blood circulation to the left arm due to which the left arm goes numb. There are various causes for nerve compression like peripheral neuropathy, infections, injuries, metabolic disorders, etc.
• Ganglion Cysts: Ganglion cyst is a swelling or tumor that develops on the wrists and hands, especially the area around the joints and tendons. Though it is not painful and can be removed with the help of surgery, it is also a common cause for left arm numbness felt at night.
• Raynaud's Syndrome: Raynaud's Syndrome is a debilitating condition which is characterized by vasospastic attacks or narrowing of the blood vessels of the fingers and the toes. Quite common in women, it is mainly triggered by emotional stress or extreme cold that causes fingers of the arms to become numb. The attack may last for few minutes to hours causing severe numbness and whitening of the fingers and arms.
• Angina: Angina is a severe health condition which occurs due to thickening of the blood arteries due to reduced oxygen supply to the heart. Intense chest pain with numbness in the left arm is one of the prime symptom of this heart disorder.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Carpal tunnel syndrome is another common cause of left arm numbness at night, in which the median nerve gets compressed at the wrist, causing paresthesias, numbness and muscle weakness in the hand. The most effective treatment for this syndrome is carpal tunnel release surgery which relieves the symptoms and prevents further nerve damage.
• Other Causes: Wrong sleeping postures, alcoholism, vitamin deficiency, poor eating habits, etc., are some other causes for left arm numbness and pain at night.

Symptoms

• Loss of sensation in hands and fingers
• Burning sensation
• Tingling in arms and hands
• Severe numbness with sharp pain
• Muscle cramps or spasms

The treatment primarily depends on the underlying cause. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor for necessary treatment and medications. However, avoid straining the arm or the elbow joints. Trying to sleep with your arms straight to enable easy blood flow, taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medications, etc., are some simple yet effective ways of treating left arm numbness. Having a balanced diet and regular exercise like a brisk walk for 30 minutes will also be very beneficial.