Numbness in Right Arm

The sudden, partial or total lack of sensation in a part of the body is known as numbness. It is accompanied by unusual tingling or burning sensation. In most of the cases, it is found that people tend to ignore symptoms of numbness. Here we will see more on numbness in right arm and its possible causes.

Right Arm Numbness Causes

In most of the cases, numbness is caused due to injury or pressure on the arm. However, a serious cause like nerve compression can also be one of the potential causes. Let us take a look at the causes of arm numbness in detail.

Pressure on Arm
Right arm numbness while sleeping occurs when excess pressure is exerted on the arm. Similarly, lifting or holding heavy objects for a longer period, sleeping with the arm hanging over the back of the bed also causes right arm numbness at night. Although common; this is quite a milder cause of numbness in the right arm.

Injury
Brachial plexus are the nerves present in the shoulder and the arms. Injury to these nerves can occur due to accident or bullet injuries, which leads to symptoms like numbness in arms and arm pain. Broken shoulder blade; injuries to wrist, hand, elbow, etc. can also occur due to several reasons which causes pain, numbness or burning sensation in the right arm.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder of the wrist that occurs due to compression of nerves in the wrist. The exact cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is unknown. However, factors like obesity, overuse of the wrist, arthritis, diabetes, etc. are considered as some of the potential causes. Pain, tingling sensation or numbness in right arm are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Herniated Disc
There is a spinal disc in between two consecutive vertebrae. Sometimes, a portion of the disc protrudes out of the vertebrae, which can lead to pinching of certain nerves, This leads to pain and numbness in hands and legs. The pain and numbness often radiates from arm to fingers.

Apart from these, other conditions like neuropathy, kidney disease, cervical disc syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Raynaud's syndrome, migraine, diabetes, spinal cord injury, ganglion cysts, etc. can also be responsible for right arm numbness. Exposure to cold climate is also one of the minor causes of numbness in arm.

Right Arm Numbness Treatment

If you experience your right arm going numb more than often or for a longer period, you should consult the doctor immediately. Immediate diagnose of the condition is required in order to commence the treatment quickly. The doctor may advice physical examination, X-ray or a MRI for diagnosing the condition. There are several prescription medications, pain relievers that help in relieving pain, numbness and tingling in hands. Sometimes, anti-depressant drugs are even prescribed to get rid of numbness. Specially, carpal tunnel syndrome and other diseases are treated with the help of drugs and medications. In minor cases, complete rest is considered as the best and the most effective method of overcoming numbness. Once the cause for arm pain is treated, physiotherapy is used for proper functioning of the muscles.

This was brief information on causes and treatment of numbness in right arm. Lastly, one should remember that there are several preventive measures that should be followed in order to prevent recurrence of injury to the right arm and wrist. Take care!