The sensation of tingling in the hands is caused by compression of a nerve or poor blood circulation in a particular region of the body. Therefore, all conditions that cause such situations can lead to this symptom.
It can be a normal symptom, caused only by bad posture, or for example when we sleep on the arm and, with that, we compress the nerves and the blood vessels, damaging the local circulation, but also can be symptom of more serious problems.
Among the diseases related to nerve compression, the most common is carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs mainly in women around 40 years of age, but may also appear in men and younger people. It is related to compression of the wrist nerves. This compression may be due to swelling of the wrist, which may occur during the menopause, during pregnancy, in hypothyroidism or as a result of trauma (strokes) in the region.
More and more frequent nowadays is the compression caused by repetitive efforts, especially in people who use their fingers too hard to work, such as those who work with computers and pianists.
Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and the use of some medications may also favor the onset of this syndrome.
Another situation of nerve compression unrelated to the carpal tunnel is herniated disc. In this case, the root of the nerve, which is located in the spine, ends up being "pinched" by the vertebral bones every time the individual turns the neck or stays in a certain position. This "pinch" can be felt as an intense and sudden tingling, which improves when the body returns to the previous position.
With regard to altered circulation, diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and others that cause vasculitis (blood vessel disease) can lead to the symptom.
And there are also the so-called central causes, in which the symptom is caused by changes in the brain, and although they are rarer they should also be thought at the time of diagnosis.
Finally, sudden onset tingling, especially when associated with other onset symptoms, such as chest pain, weakness, visual changes, speech changes, behavioral changes, difficulty walking, fainting, and others may be a sign of myocardial infarction or stroke. In this case, an emergency room should be sought immediately.
In any case, in order to have the most accurate diagnosis in each situation, it is essential to seek a general practitioner or medical doctor for the examinations to be made and the most appropriate treatments are indicated.
