What are Possible Causes of Numbness in my Left Hand?
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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.
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38
I've been facing this numbness from six months. i'm 25 and the numbness slowly starts near the elbow when i starve. when it is numb, i feel a pain in my neck as well. - anon51058
37
I am a 44 year old woman with numbness in her left hand. I also have arthritis in that same hand. It does not hurt, but I can definitely feel the numbness. I have been on the computer a lot -- can that make a difference? - anon48847
36
i am a 44 year old man. i have numbness in my left side and arm for one. week. i am taking blood presser medicine right now. My blood pressure is ok. what happened to me? can you give me advice? - anon48222
35
hi i am sixteen and i have have this random numbness in my left hand thumb and pointer finger. it doesn't hurt but i have had it for four days now. will it go away? should i go and see a doctor? - anon47485
34
i am a healthy young man, 22 years old, and I got to the gym and run often. your opinions on numbness in my left hand pinky and ring finger, the palm section below these two fingers go numb as well. generally in the morning and maybe sometimes during the day. could i be in for a stroke at my age? what could this be? - hype
31
today i got this real weird feeling in my head and top of my left hand. the top of my hand was hurting and my head felt like something was moving under my scalp. I was hungry at the time and also very busy at work. I felt like I was almost not in control of my body.felt like i was going to drop. it went away after about 45 minutes. this is not the first time. - anon44108
30
Recently I got internet installed into my new flat where I spent a few hours behind the computer updating my work. When I went to bed i felt my left hand go numb. The next day it was still around. It's now been three days and i woke up last night with my right hand having the same symptoms. My elbows feel connected to this problem. is it ulnar neuropathy or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I'm trying to keep my arms straight at all times, but nothing is really making it better. I'm 24 years old and I would like for this to go away. Please help. - brucewillis
29
I started having numbness in my left hand three days ago, affecting mostly the tips of my fingers and outer side of my hand.
But then, I just noticed that I was resting my left elbow on the edge of my desk and I have been spending too much time on the computer lately. So, I am going to cut back and watch how I rest my elbow. Perhaps it will stop. - anon43172
28
Question 21 had the answer for me, thanks!
Ulnar Neuropathy is the issue. My left pinkie, ring finger and heel of my hand went all tingly numb. I noticed this happened after a long day on the computer while leaning on my elbow. I had just changed the desk to an old vintage one that is hard-surfaced. I looked up the info online and there are a few facts and treatments if it comes to that. - anon41954
27
My left thumb and forefinger are numb/tingly as a result of a stroke 3 months ago. Right after the stroke it was the whole hand so it's gotten better. But for the past 6 or 8 weeks there has been no improvement. Is there some exercise(s) that I could/should be doing to help the brain rewire so this symptom goes away. Other than this, I'm doing fine! - anon38199
26
Hi im seventeen and i went for a 120 km bike ride yesterday and my left hand fingers went numb and still are late the next day. what would this be? dehydration, heat stroke, the rapid movement of handles of the bike as i travelled on gravel? - anon37533
25
i am 17 years old and i have tingling/numbness in my left hand. it started yesterday and hasnt stopped. what should i do - anon36791
24
It has been five days now and this numbness in my left hand has not gone away.i have noticed my pinky is looking a little thinner than usual. this aching tingling numbness is moving up my arm and is starting to cause some immobility. what might one do? my friend says i may have pinched a nerve? - anon36694
23
Hi, im a 25yr old male, and my numbness an tingling starts at my elbow and travels down my hand when my arm is bent a short period of time. as im typing this my thumb an first two figers are getting completely numb and my forearm is slightly fatiuged. any ideas - anon36313
22
Same thing but mine is so painful it wakes me up out of a sound sleep and i am a very heavy sleeper! Seems to occur more when i lay down, however does happen throughout the day as well. I had surgery in my left hand about 18 years ago and always have had some issues but never quite like this. I have a high pain tolerance and it takes alot for me to mention it, i am very concerned because i am only 36 years old and i can't imagine if it is like this now what it would be like when i am 60! - anon32857
21
I'm dmr:I called my doctor, and he said my problem sounds like ulnar neuropathy. (Look it up.) I made a concerted effort to *not* lean on my left elbow while on the computer, the the problem has basically gone away. I have a tiny bit of numbness in my fingers still, but nothing major. YAY! - anon28619
20
I notice the numbness and tingling in my left hand only today. I have arthritis, tendinitis, tennis elbow in both hands. Anybody have some idea what this is about?Please I need to know. I read the other posts but nobody seems to know about the root of the pain and symptoms either. - anon28590
19
I'm a 38-year old single mother with a full time job as an Executive Assistant. When I woke up yesterday morning, I noticed my left hand felt as if it had fallen asleep and I was left with that tingling sensation By the afternoon the sensation had traveled up my forearm and a day later I feel it in my bicep. It's strongest around my thumb. I just had a physical and my white and red blood count was pretty low so I had a second CBC ran. I expect the results in a couple of weeks. My blood pressure has always been on the low side and I don't have a history of heart disease. Any thoughts? - Litebred
18
Hi - I'm a 50ish-year-old mom. I have been having numbness in my fingers on my left hand off and on for a week or two. I do have tendinitis, but I've never had these symptoms before. I have varicose veins, so I know I have poor circulation, but it doesn't seem like the numbness would come on suddenly like it does. I woke up one day with my pinky numb. Another day I noticed the numbness while at the computer (remember, I'm right-handed). I guess I'll call my doctor, but if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate hearing them. Thanks so much! - dmr
17
I Have numbness in my pinky finger on my left hand jut stated today. any with the same problem? i am 61 years of age. - anon24932
16
i had experienced numbness and tingling sensation in my hands and arms..before it happened, 2 months ago was admitted to the hospital due to raynud's phenomenon..all of digit fingers become bluish... - anon23863
15
Hello,I have had numbness in my two small fingers in my left hand for the past couple of weeks. Can anyone tell me what this could possibly be. I also get the occasional cramping in the same hand. I did do a fair lot of repetitive work throughout my career but not a real lot of late? Should i see a Doctor or just wait it out to see if i goes?
- davidmurray
14
A week ago I woke up and noticed a weakness in the last two digits of my left hand. Also, there is noticeable numbness along the outside edge of that hand. Actually, I noticed it when I was typing because it seems the outer joints of the ring and little fingers will not bend when commanded to do so. I am 54 yrs. old and suffer from high blood pressure and chronic gout. - drdraper
13
Interesting that I have identical symptoms to some others here. This morning I woke up to find two fingers of my left hand feeling numb - the pinky and ring finger. It has continued all day, but is slightly less numb tonight. I am 66 and have never experienced this before. - rsteveslater
12
Left hand is numb. Doctor doesn't know, no one knows. - anon21667
11
a few days ago i got the flu. b4 that i started working at my mother's restaurant and i started getting some major back pain. once i got the flu i noticed my left hand pinky and the finger beside it started going numb like a prickly feeling. and so does half of my left hand palm. i'm 18 years old and i'm a diabetic. is this going to go away or should i go see a doctor? i never had this b4... and also sometimes it feels like it is going half way up mu forearm and the left side as well all the way up to my elbow. now and i type the feeling is going up. i'm going to the doctor. i'm guessing i'm leaning on my elbow to much but i have no idea. - anon17126
10
I type for a living, medical transcription, and have been doing this for 25+ years. I've been tested for but was never found to have carpal tunnel syndrome. Lately, the thumb and first two fingers of each hand, but especially the right hand have periods of time when they are numb which gets worse at night when I am in bed. From what I have read, this sounds like median nerve compression. Is it dangerous for me to continue in my line of work? - anon14636
9
I have been having numbness and tingling in my left hand. Mostly in my pinky and ring figer. I am 30 and in good health otherwise. I have recently pulled a muscle in my chest and have been having a tough time getting that to heal up. Could it all be connected? - zanesa
8
Hi,
I am 17 and will be 18 in August. Since May 12 my left hand has been numb kind of like a sleeping feeling. I have never felt this before until then. Most of the numbness is in my pinky finger and the ring finger. Should I see my doctor or do you think it will go away? - anon12977
7
I am 18 years old and over the past two days, I have been experiencing numbness in my left arm and sometimes down to my left leg. I do have quite a bit of stress (family, school etc.). In fact, my exams are going on right now. Can someone please tell me what I should do? - anon12463
6
if he lost use of his arm... can he say "I, e, o, u" vowel sounds? my father had a stroke a couple of years ago... it happened early in the morning when he first woke up... went to kitchen to make coffee and then his left side went numb and he fell.... it felt better but then returned.... If you can get to the doctor soon enough after a 'mild' stroke or the warning stroke... hopefully you can get the TPA shot that helps thin the blood and correct a clot situation... it could save their life! whatever the case... see a doctor! the other kind of stroke could become worse if you thin the blood so see a Dr. ASAP! - anon6965
5
there is no pain just no use of his hand
- lilacrosie
4
Hi,
My husband will be 65 12/24. this morning he woke up and his left hand and arm up to his elbow was numb and has been all day. He said there is no pins and needles... he has no use of his left hand. he wouldn't go to the er but he said if it doesn't go away by morning he will go... i think he may have had a mild stroke or is about to have one do you have any input?
Thankx - lilacrosie
3
i am 32 years old now. female. since i was a teenager i have had numbness in the left hand when ever i get stressed. (i.e. stress in family, office , confusions in life etc). it usually goes off once the reason for the stress is sorted out. - anon3537
2
my husband is experiencing muscle numbness in his left hand, down to his legs since he was 3 years old. what would be the possible cause of this? - anon2862
1
i have started very stressful job,i stay uptight here lately i have had dizzy spells and my left hand feels like it is asleep all the time what could be wrong? - anon770
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Last Modified: 09 November 2009
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