There are many things that may cause numbness in an individual’s left hand. Left hand numbness could be caused by a repetitive-stress motion disorder. Carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, could cause numbness in an individual’s left hand.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common repetitive-stress motion disorder. It is caused by nerve compression and can be quite painful. With carpal tunnel syndrome, symptoms usually start gradually. At first, an affected individual may notice numbness and tingling in the hand. Eventually, symptoms move on to continuous pain, often leaving the numbness and tingling behind.

Another cause of left hand numbness could be nerve damage or disease. In such cases, numbness is frequently associated with pain described as prickling pins-and-needles in the hand. Burning sensations are also common with such conditions.

If numbness starts in the left hand and moves to a different part of the body, it could be related to a circulatory, neurological, or muscle-related condition. If the numbness is sudden and affects the hand and the arm, it could be a warning sign of an impending stroke. As a stroke can be life threatening, it is imperative to seek medical help right away if you experience this type of numbness.

Without a doctor’s examination, it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine the cause of left hand numbness. Though you may have the symptoms of a specific illness or condition, the cause of left hand numbness could be something completely different from what you might expect. To protect your health, consult with a doctor to determine the cause of prolonged numbness.

To make it easier for your doctor to diagnose your left hand numbness, take notice of when the numbness occurs and record, on paper, the date on which you first noticed it. If symptoms occur at specific times during the day, write this information down for your doctor’s use. Also record whether or not the numbness begins after a certain activity and how long it lasts. Describe any other symptoms as well, even if you believe them to be unrelated. Do not rely on your memory alone for this information, as many individuals forget things once they are in an examination room.