Poor blood circulation due to incorrect body positions can cause numbness during sleep.
Common causes of numbness during sleep include poor blood circulation due to certain sleeping positions, pinched nerves, and paresthesia, a condition that affects neurons in the brain. For most people dealing with nighttime numbness, finding different sleeping positions can provide relief. For other cases, however, medical and nutritional intervention may be necessary. If the problem persists after treatment, further testing along the nerves of the body should be done to determine if the individual has a disease.
Poor circulation can cause numbness in the extremities.
Most of the time, complaints of numbness during sleep are primarily due to sleeping in positions that disrupt blood circulation. This includes sleeping on your hands or arms, which puts pressure on these areas for hours at night. Being more aware of sleeping positions before falling asleep is a good first step in preventing this problem.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause numbness.
If the numbness still occurs when your arms and legs are at your sides, it could be a sign of a deeper problem, such as a pinched nerve. When nerves become compressed, they can often cause tingling and numbness in the hands, feet, or legs. A tingling sensation throughout the body due to problems with certain neurons in the brain is called paresthesia and can usually be felt during sleep. The causes of paresthesia may be related to metabolic disorders such as diabetes or malnutrition, in addition to the fact that the body is low in vitamin B12. Connective tissue diseases, as well as infections, can contribute to disturbances in the neural pathway of the brain, leading to numbness that is often associated with paresthesia.
A pinched nerve can cause numbness.
In severe cases of sleep numbness involving the face, it can be a sign of cardiovascular problems such as stroke or early cardiovascular disease. If numbness occurs frequently over a period of a few weeks without relief, people should see a medical professional to determine if a person is at risk for heart disease. Carpal tunnel syndrome and circulatory disorders can also cause numbness. Medications for these problems are available to most people and, when taken, should resolve any numbness or tingling sensations experienced during sleep or during the day.
