Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesPreventionWhen to WorryWhen to Get Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Prevention
When to Worry
When to Get Help
If you have ever awakened with a numbness or tingling in your arm or hand, you may immediately wonder how or why it happened. What does it mean for part of the body to “fall asleep?”
It is common to say that a body part has “fallen asleep” when it feels numb or prickles with “pins and needles.” The medical term for this sensation isparesthesia. There may be pain or other discomfort associated with paresthesia, especially as it wears off.
This article explains the possible reasons why your arm might fall asleep at night. It explains how the position you sleep in might cause paraesthesia, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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What Causes This Sensation?
Paraesthesia is a symptom, not a medical condition of its own. It can be a temporary symptom, like when your arm “falls asleep.” Or, it can be a chronic (long-term) symptom of an underlying medication condition.
Many people believe that paraesthesia occurs due to loss of blood flow, but that’s not the case. Paraesthesia is a nervous system problem. It happens when a nerve in your arm, leg, or another extremity gets compressed.
Nerves carry sensory information from your body to your brain. They allow you toperceive pain, temperature, pressure, and other sensations. They enable voluntary movements,reflexes, and much more.
This is essentially what happens when you experience paraesthesia or your arm falls asleep. There are several conditions or situations that can cause it:
Sleeping Position
There’s not much you can do to control your body position while sleeping.
Without realizing it, your sleeping position may put pressure on nerves in your arm, especially if you sleep with it bent at an odd angle or tucked under your head or body.
Certain sleep positions may be more likely to cause nerve compression than others, such as:
If you awake with a numb or tingling arm, don’t panic. Your symptoms should resolve soon after you change your position and take pressure off of the compressed nerve.
Peripheral Neuropathy
“Neuropathy” is the general medical term for nerve damage.Peripheral neuropathyrefers to any nerve damage that affects the peripheral nervous system. The nerves in your arms, legs, and anywhere else outside of your brain and spinal cord are peripheral nerves.
Someone with peripheral neuropathy may experience one or more of the following:
There are over 100 types of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and alcoholic neuropathy. The exact symptoms one experiences, along with how severe those symptoms are, depends on the type of neuropathy they have.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Another common cause of peripheral neuropathy isvitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency is typically detected in people ages 40 years and above. In many cases, they present to healthcare providers complaining of neurological (nerve-related), behavioral, or cognitive symptoms.
Vitamin B12 plays a critical role in several body processes. The vitamin maintains the health of nerves, along with the protective covering around nerves, known as themyelin sheath.
Peripheral neuropathy related to vitamin B12 deficiency may result in:
A person with vitamin B12 deficiency may also experience psychiatric disturbances, such as depression,delusions, and cognitive changes.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Thecarpal tunnelis a passageway in the wrist through which passes the median nerve. If the median nerve gets compressed in this tunnel,carpal tunnel syndromecan ensue.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is also a type of peripheral neuropathy. With this syndrome, you may experience the following symptoms in one or both hands:
Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome experience pain and numbness in their wrists or hands that is particularly worse at night and may even interrupt sleep.
Genetic Disorders
Certain genetic disorders can predispose affected individuals to nerve injuries. One such disorder is known as hereditary neuropathy with a predisposition to pressure palsies (HNPP).
HNPP leads to episodes of weakness and loss of sensation often associated with compression of single nerves. It most commonly affects nerves in the wrists, elbows, and knees, but may also affect nerves in the fingers, shoulders, feet, and scalp.
Depending on the body areas affected, a person with HNPP may experience:
HNPP symptoms usually begin during adolescence or early adulthood, but can start at any time.
Stroke
A stroke can cause symptoms that feel similar to your arm falling asleep, and may include:
Stroke occurs when a blood vessel to the brain gets blocked (ischemic stroke), or there is bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The symptoms you experience depend on the location of the stroke.
Other possible symptoms of stroke include:
Stroke symptoms tend to happen suddenly. If you think you may be having a stroke, do not drive yourself to the hospital or have someone else drive you. Every minute counts when you are having a stroke. Call 911 for immediate medical care en route to the hospital.
New Stroke Symptom Acronym Says ‘BE FAST’ About Calling 911
How Is Paresthesia Prevented?
There are steps you can take to prevent your arm from falling asleep at night:
You may not be able to prevent paresthesia in every case. Since paresthesia can be a symptom of stroke, diabetes, and other health problems, it’s important to get regular medical screenings with a healthcare provider.
When Should I Worry?
Most people experience their arm falling asleep on occasion. When it’s an occasional occurrence that resolves after you adjust your position, it’s nothing to worry about.
However, paresthesia becomes more concerning when it:
If you have a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes and are experiencing paresthesia more frequently, this may be a sign of a worsening problem.
Numbness, weakness, and tingling are possible signs of stroke and heart attack. All people should know the signs of stroke and heart attack, and get immediate medical attention should those signs appear.
The Importance of Health Screenings As You Age
When to See a Healthcare Provider
When your arm falls asleep due to nerve compression, it should resolve soon after you adjust your body position. If it doesn’t go away or seems to be getting worse, you may need medical attention.
Give your healthcare provider a call if:
If you develop paresthesia suddenly or have any other sudden, concerning symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Do not hesitate to get medical attention if you feel worried about the sensation—or loss of sensation—in your arm or elsewhere in your body.
Summary
Some conditions, like carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes, and hypothyroidism can cause nerve damage (neuropathy). These conditions may also result in weakness, numbness, or loss of sensation in your arms or elsewhere. If you experience paresthesia in addition to sudden symptoms like headache, vision problems, or confusion, call 911 right away.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ljungquist KL, Martineau P, Allan C.Radial nerve injuries.J Hand Surg Am. 2015;40(1):166-72. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.05.010Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hand while sleeping: Causes and remedies.National Cancer Institute.The peripheral nervous system.Yang H, Sloan G, Ye Y, et al.New perspective in diabetic neuropathy: From the periphery to the brain, a call for early detection, and precision medicine.Front Endocrinol. 2020 Jan;10(1):1-13. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00929Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peripheral neuropathy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Badar A.Neuropsychiatric disorders associated with vitamin B12 deficiency: An autobiographical case report.Cureus. 2022 Jan;14(1):e21476. doi:10.7759/cureus.21476Johns Hopkins Medicine.Carpal tunnel syndrome.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arm care after a stroke.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Stroke symptoms.UCLA Health.Lifestyle changes can help arm numbness at night.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get your blood pressure checked.Keck Medicine of USC.Is arm numbness and tingling ever cause for concern?.Additional ReadingHarati Y, Bosch EP. “Disorders of Peripheral Nerves.” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5th edition. pp. 2262-2266.Misulis KE. “Hemiplegia and Monoplegia,” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5thedition. pp. 346-347.Moore KL, Dalley AF. “Clinically Oriented Anatomy.“Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th edition, 1999, pp. 665-830.Papanicolaou GD, McCabe SJ, Firrell J.The prevalence and characteristics of nerve compression symptoms in the general population.The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2001;26(3):460-466. doi:10.1053/jhsu.2001.24972Spinner RJ, Poliakoff MB, Tiel RL.The origin of “Saturday night palsy”?.Neurosurgery. 2002;51(3):737-741. doi:10.1227/00006123-200209000-00023
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ljungquist KL, Martineau P, Allan C.Radial nerve injuries.J Hand Surg Am. 2015;40(1):166-72. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.05.010Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hand while sleeping: Causes and remedies.National Cancer Institute.The peripheral nervous system.Yang H, Sloan G, Ye Y, et al.New perspective in diabetic neuropathy: From the periphery to the brain, a call for early detection, and precision medicine.Front Endocrinol. 2020 Jan;10(1):1-13. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00929Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peripheral neuropathy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Badar A.Neuropsychiatric disorders associated with vitamin B12 deficiency: An autobiographical case report.Cureus. 2022 Jan;14(1):e21476. doi:10.7759/cureus.21476Johns Hopkins Medicine.Carpal tunnel syndrome.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arm care after a stroke.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Stroke symptoms.UCLA Health.Lifestyle changes can help arm numbness at night.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get your blood pressure checked.Keck Medicine of USC.Is arm numbness and tingling ever cause for concern?.Additional ReadingHarati Y, Bosch EP. “Disorders of Peripheral Nerves.” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5th edition. pp. 2262-2266.Misulis KE. “Hemiplegia and Monoplegia,” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5thedition. pp. 346-347.Moore KL, Dalley AF. “Clinically Oriented Anatomy.“Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th edition, 1999, pp. 665-830.Papanicolaou GD, McCabe SJ, Firrell J.The prevalence and characteristics of nerve compression symptoms in the general population.The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2001;26(3):460-466. doi:10.1053/jhsu.2001.24972Spinner RJ, Poliakoff MB, Tiel RL.The origin of “Saturday night palsy”?.Neurosurgery. 2002;51(3):737-741. doi:10.1227/00006123-200209000-00023
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ljungquist KL, Martineau P, Allan C.Radial nerve injuries.J Hand Surg Am. 2015;40(1):166-72. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.05.010Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hand while sleeping: Causes and remedies.National Cancer Institute.The peripheral nervous system.Yang H, Sloan G, Ye Y, et al.New perspective in diabetic neuropathy: From the periphery to the brain, a call for early detection, and precision medicine.Front Endocrinol. 2020 Jan;10(1):1-13. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00929Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peripheral neuropathy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Badar A.Neuropsychiatric disorders associated with vitamin B12 deficiency: An autobiographical case report.Cureus. 2022 Jan;14(1):e21476. doi:10.7759/cureus.21476Johns Hopkins Medicine.Carpal tunnel syndrome.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arm care after a stroke.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Stroke symptoms.UCLA Health.Lifestyle changes can help arm numbness at night.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get your blood pressure checked.Keck Medicine of USC.Is arm numbness and tingling ever cause for concern?.
Ljungquist KL, Martineau P, Allan C.Radial nerve injuries.J Hand Surg Am. 2015;40(1):166-72. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.05.010
Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hand while sleeping: Causes and remedies.
National Cancer Institute.The peripheral nervous system.
Yang H, Sloan G, Ye Y, et al.New perspective in diabetic neuropathy: From the periphery to the brain, a call for early detection, and precision medicine.Front Endocrinol. 2020 Jan;10(1):1-13. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00929
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peripheral neuropathy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.
Badar A.Neuropsychiatric disorders associated with vitamin B12 deficiency: An autobiographical case report.Cureus. 2022 Jan;14(1):e21476. doi:10.7759/cureus.21476
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arm care after a stroke.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Stroke symptoms.
UCLA Health.Lifestyle changes can help arm numbness at night.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get your blood pressure checked.
Keck Medicine of USC.Is arm numbness and tingling ever cause for concern?.
Harati Y, Bosch EP. “Disorders of Peripheral Nerves.” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5th edition. pp. 2262-2266.Misulis KE. “Hemiplegia and Monoplegia,” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5thedition. pp. 346-347.Moore KL, Dalley AF. “Clinically Oriented Anatomy.“Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th edition, 1999, pp. 665-830.Papanicolaou GD, McCabe SJ, Firrell J.The prevalence and characteristics of nerve compression symptoms in the general population.The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2001;26(3):460-466. doi:10.1053/jhsu.2001.24972Spinner RJ, Poliakoff MB, Tiel RL.The origin of “Saturday night palsy”?.Neurosurgery. 2002;51(3):737-741. doi:10.1227/00006123-200209000-00023
Harati Y, Bosch EP. “Disorders of Peripheral Nerves.” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5th edition. pp. 2262-2266.
Misulis KE. “Hemiplegia and Monoplegia,” inNeurology in Clinical Practice. Eds. Bradley WG,et al. Butterworth, Heinemann, and Elsevier. 5thedition. pp. 346-347.
Moore KL, Dalley AF. “Clinically Oriented Anatomy.“Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th edition, 1999, pp. 665-830.
Papanicolaou GD, McCabe SJ, Firrell J.The prevalence and characteristics of nerve compression symptoms in the general population.The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2001;26(3):460-466. doi:10.1053/jhsu.2001.24972
Spinner RJ, Poliakoff MB, Tiel RL.The origin of “Saturday night palsy”?.Neurosurgery. 2002;51(3):737-741. doi:10.1227/00006123-200209000-00023
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