What are numb hands a symptom of?

Question

my boyfriends hands go numb at night sometimes and i don't really understand why. he works as a cook and has to use grilling swords and grip them really tightly and they cramp up too. just wondering if there's any permanent damage being done or will it go away after he starts a different job?

Answer 1

Lots of things! Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is probably the most common. The worst is a lack of circulation, which could be a serious issue indicating heart disease. Depending on age and occupation. Using grilling swords and gripping them tightly would make me think carpel tunnel more than anything.

Answer 2

It could be a pinched nerve or carpal tunnel sydrome.

Answer 3

Numbness, pins & needles, mild weakness in some cases of a limb is  usually due to prolonged pressure.

Persistent activities that cause numbess (can) lead to nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome among others.

An Osteopath can usually be very helpful in chronic cases that don't leave even after the activity causing it has been stopped.

If his hands are cold in temperatures where you'd expect them to be warm; he could have some circulatory insufficiency to his extremities that can easily be fixed by including some Ginger, Chilli or Capsicum to his diet as these will greatly increase blood to the regions closer to the surface that aren't getting it.

Answer 4

Usually it means a pinched nerve somewhere. Probably in the shoulders or neck. Gripping something can cause strain on the muscles that lead up to shoulders/neck. Try some stretching exercises. See a doctor. Might stop if he does another job, but might not.

Answer 5

a pinched nerve in his neck, he could try changing pillow. put heat and ice on the neck for about 15 each up to 4 times a day. I f that doesn't help see a DR.