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Copywriting丨Dr. Li's health protection
Editor丨Dr. Li Health Guard
Finger numbness is a common problem for many people. Most people's first reaction is cervical spondylosis, but they don't know that there may be a variety of diseases hidden behind this symptom. An experienced doctor recently shared his professional insights to reveal the truth behind finger numbness.
Finger numbness is no trivial matter. It can be an alarm from the body alerting us to an underlying health problem. Cervical spondylosis is indeed one of the common causes, which can cause nerve compression and numbness in the fingers. Doctors point out that people with cervical spondylosis often experience stiffness and pain in the neck, accompanied by numbness in the arms or fingers. This numbness tends to worsen after sleep or holding the same position for long periods of time.
However, the causes of numbness in the fingers go far beyond that. Carpal tunnel syndrome is another culprit that is often overlooked. This condition is usually caused by repetitive wrist movements, such as prolonged use of a computer keyboard or mouse. People experience numbness or tingling in the palms and fingers, especially the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Doctors emphasize that if left untreated, severe cases can lead to atrophy of thumb muscles.
From a TCM perspective, numbness in the fingers may be related to poor qi and blood. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that poor flow of qi and blood can lead to blockage of the meridians and cause numbness. Acupuncture and herbal conditioning may be helpful in improving this condition. Western medicine pays more attention to the accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment of the cause.
Doctors remind everyone that diabetic patients should also be extra vigilant against finger numbness. Diabetes may lead to peripheral meridian lesions, causing numbness in the hands and feet. This numbness usually starts in the feet and gradually spreads upwards to the hands. Timely control of blood sugar is essential to prevent and alleviate this symptom.
In addition, vitamin B12 deficiency may also cause numbness in the fingers. Vitamin B12 is essential for nervous system health, and deficiency can cause nerve damage. Vegetarians and older people are more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency. Appropriate supplementation with foods or nutrients containing vitamin B12 may help.
It is important to note that certain autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause numbness in the fingers. These conditions can cause inflammation or damage to the nerves, which can lead to numbness. If numbness in the fingers is accompanied by other systemic symptoms, such as joint pain or rash, prompt medical attention is recommended.
Doctors warn that long-term use of certain medications can also cause numbness in the fingers. For example, some chemotherapy drugs may cause peripheral neuropathy. If you are taking medication and experience numbness in your fingers, you should consult your doctor if you need to adjust your medication.
Interestingly, psychological factors can also cause numbness in the fingers. During severe anxiety or panic attacks, people may feel numbness in their hands and feet. This condition is usually temporary and eases as the mental state improves. However, if this symptom occurs frequently, it is advisable to seek professional psychological counseling.
How can you tell the specific cause of finger numbness? The doctor gave a few practical tips:
Observe the specific location and extent of the numbness. If it is limited to a few fingers, it may be carpal tunnel syndrome; If there is numbness throughout the palm, it may be a cervical spine problem or a systemic disease.
Pay attention to the time and duration of numbness. If the numbness is particularly noticeable at night or when you wake up early in the morning, it may be a carpal tunnel syndrome; If it occurs after holding a certain position for a long time, it may be a cervical spine problem.
Watch for other symptoms. If numbness in the fingers is accompanied by neck pain, it is likely to be a cervical spine problem; If symptoms such as thirst and polyuria occur at the same time, it is necessary to be alert to the possibility of diabetes.
Keep a record of your lifestyle and working environment. Long-term computer use or repetitive hand movements may increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome; Looking down at your phone for a long time or sitting in a bad posture can cause cervical spine problems.
Consider whether there is a history of associated disease. If there is a history of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., numbness in the fingers may be related to these underlying conditions.
Assess for nutritional problems. Especially for vegetarians or the elderly, the presence of nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin B12 needs to be considered.
Pay attention to the state of mind. If numbness in the fingers coincides with anxiety attacks, it may be related to psychological factors.
Doctors stress that finger numbness, although common, should not be ignored. Accurate identification of the cause is essential for effective treatment. If numbness in the fingers persists or interferes with daily life, it is advisable to seek medical attention for professional diagnosis and treatment.
In our daily lives, we can also take some steps to prevent and alleviate numbness in our fingers:
Maintain a good working posture. When using the computer, keep your wrists naturally relaxed and avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time. Regular neck and wrist movement can help relieve muscle fatigue and nerve compression.
Exercise moderately. Exercises that strengthen the neck and arm muscles, such as swimming or yoga, can improve blood circulation and reduce the occurrence of numbness in the fingers.
Keep warm. The cold can worsen the numbness in your fingers, especially in winter, so remember to keep your hands warm.
Eat a balanced diet. Consuming foods rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, legumes, fish, etc., can help maintain nervous system health.
Control your blood sugar. For people with diabetes, good blood sugar control is key to preventing numbness in the fingers.
Reduce stress. Learning relaxation and stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, can help relieve numbness in the fingers caused by psychological factors.
Get proper rest. Avoid excessive use of your phone or computer and give your fingers and wrists proper rest.
Use wrist guards. For people who need to perform repetitive hand movements for long periods of time, using a wrist brace can reduce the risk of carpal tunnel compression.
Improve your sleeping position. Avoiding stress on your arms during sleep can reduce the occurrence of numbness in your fingers at night.
Massage. Gently massage your fingers and palms to increase blood circulation and relieve numbness.
Doctors point out that prevention is better than cure. By adjusting our lifestyle and work style, we can greatly reduce the incidence of finger numbness. Don't be alarmed by the numbness in your fingers that has already appeared. In most cases, it can be effectively improved with proper treatment and conditioning.
It is worth mentioning that the treatment of integrative medicine has shown good results in relieving numbness in the fingers. The precise diagnosis and targeted treatment of Western medicine, combined with the overall conditioning and meridian dredging of traditional Chinese medicine, can often achieve twice the result with half the effort.
For example, for numbness in the fingers caused by cervical spine problems, Western medicine may recommend physical therapy or surgical intervention if necessary, while Chinese medicine may use acupuncture or massage to unblock the meridians and improve the flow of qi and blood. For carpal tunnel syndrome, Western medicine may use local injections or surgery, while Chinese medicine may use internal and external application of Chinese medicine to reduce inflammation and promote recovery.
Doctors especially emphasize that for symptoms such as numbness of fingers, it is important not to self-diagnose or blindly treat. Various home remedies or "miracle cures" circulating online may delay the condition and even pose additional health risks. The correct approach is to seek medical attention in time and receive professional diagnosis and guidance.
Finger numbness is common, but the reasons behind it are complex and varied. By carefully observing the symptoms, combined with our own situation, we can preliminarily determine the possible cause. However, the final diagnosis and treatment plan still need to rely on the advice of a professional doctor.
Maintaining good lifestyle habits, paying attention to prevention, and being sensitive to the body's signals can better maintain our health. Let's focus on the small changes in the body to protect a healthy life.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!