If a person has numbness in the little finger on his right hand, this may mean the presence of one or another disease, so it is advisable to consult a doctor, undergo an examination and, if necessary, begin treatment. In any case, this condition is not recommended to be ignored.
According to statistics, numbness in the fingers of the right hand is observed slightly more often than on the left. This is due, among other things, to the fact that most people are right-handed, which means that the right hand bears more load. Also, along with the little finger, the ring finger often goes numb.
When the little finger on your hand often goes numb, you should consult a doctor and get examined
Only a medical specialist should prescribe and interpret the examination results, make a diagnosis and select treatment for numbness of the upper limb.
Why does the thumb on my right hand go numb?
Constant overload of the joints or illness can provoke the appearance of discomfort.
Compressive neuropathy
The pathology is accompanied by weakness of muscle fibers, spasms, decreased sensitivity, and numbness of the thumb. The main causes of its occurrence are pinched nerves of the wrist, elbow joint, forearm or neck, traumatic injuries, dilation of blood vessels, and the formation of cysts.
Peripheral neuropathy
The disease is accompanied by damage to the peripheral nervous system. The clinical picture depends on which nerves are affected. One of the symptoms of the pathology is numbness of the skin on the arm.
The provoking factor may be:
- insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
- vitamin B12 deficiency;
- chronic liver and kidney diseases;
- abuse of alcoholic beverages.
Constant load
A feeling of numbness in the hand often accompanies people whose profession involves constant stress on the hand.
The risk group includes:
- artists;
- hairdressers;
- kitchen workers;
- athletes;
- office workers;
- drivers;
- persons performing heavy physical work.
As a result of the daily monotonous load on the hand, a feeling of numbness in the fingers appears. This is due to excess pressure on the median nerve from the bones, transverse carpal ligament and tendons. The development of carpal tunnel syndrome is observed.
Other reasons
If your fingers go numb, then the problem may be associated with other abnormalities in the functioning of the body:
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- Rheumatism
- leads to damage to muscle and joint tissues, the cardiovascular department. Accompanied by severe pain and aching fingers. - Endocrine pathologies
- cause rapid weight gain, inflammatory processes in the lymph nodes, and deterioration in health. - Arthrosis and arthritis
- attempts to move the fingers lead to pain. Patients experience swelling and changes in the shape of the phalanges. - Injuries
- bruises, fractures and errors during surgery provoke a deterioration in the functioning of the circulatory department. Old traumatizations can remind themselves when weather conditions change.
A diagnostic examination will help determine the initial source of deviation in pregnant women. Predisposing factors include kidney dysfunction, pinched nerves in the spine, carpal tunnel syndrome, iron deficiency anemia, or insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals.
What treatment is prescribed
To prescribe an adequate treatment regimen, it is necessary to determine the cause of the pathological symptoms.
For this purpose, examinations may be prescribed:
- MRI or CT scan of the brain;
- X-ray of the cervical spine;
- Dopplerography of blood vessels of the cervical spine;
- echoencephalography;
- electroencephalography;
- angiography.
Based on the research results and clinical picture, therapy is prescribed.
Medications that may be prescribed include:
- ointments;
- oral tablets that improve metabolic processes;
- corticosteroids by injection.
In parallel with this, laser therapy, acupuncture, vacuum therapy, and therapeutic exercises are used to reduce the intensity of inflammatory processes, pain and muscle spasms.
If there is no positive dynamics from the completed course of treatment, surgical intervention may be required.
Why does the pad of the right thumb go numb?
The pad of the thumb may become numb during the formation of:
- Raynaud's syndrome. It is characterized by spasm of the blood vessels of the hand under the influence of hypothermia or emotional stress. Numbness is felt from the tip towards the wrist.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Symptoms such as tingling or itching, burning, weakness in the hand, shooting pain, and impaired motor function are observed.
- Arthritis is damage to joint tissue.
- Thrombosis of the subclavian artery. Edema processes, hyperemia of the phalanges, their soreness and numbness are observed.
If you experience discomfort, it is recommended not to delay your visit to the doctor; timely treatment will help avoid the development of complications.
Factors of occurrence
Even short-term loss of finger mobility and numbness should not be ignored. Even if the symptoms do not recur in a short period of time, doctors consider such a disorder to be a sign of pathology that requires proper treatment.
Pathological symptoms can be caused by:
- diseases of the spine accompanied by deformations of the intervertebral discs;
- pathological changes in the cervical spine of a degenerative-dystrophic nature;
- traumatic damage to joints;
- prolonged overexertion during sports;
- compression of blood vessels;
- muscle spasms caused by incorrect position of the back and head;
- circulatory disorders;
- the influence of stress;
- stroke.
If there is occasional numbness in the upper limbs associated with incorrect body position during sleep, there should be no concern. If the sensation is caused by a blood supply disorder, you will need to consult a doctor.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is established based on the characteristic symptoms of the disease and is confirmed by examination data:
- laboratory tests - detect the presence of an inflammatory process, the presence or absence of infection, antibodies to infectious agents, rheumatoid factor;
- X-ray – reveals bone changes in joints;
- Ultrasound - the presence of an increased volume of exudate in the joint cavity is a sign of an active inflammatory process;
- MRI – changes in soft articular and periarticular tissues.
Without additional examination methods, it is impossible to establish the correct diagnosis (and therefore prescribe adequate treatment). Therefore, if you experience pain in the small joints of your fingers, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
What do doctors advise?
To avoid discomfort associated with the development of joint diseases, it is recommended:
- adhere to the correct diet, enriching it with foods containing many vitamins and minerals, and avoiding fatty, salty and spicy foods;
- avoid drinking alcoholic beverages;
- avoid hypothermia;
- do not “crack” your joints;
- perform gymnastic exercises at least twice a day; if a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, they are repeated every hour for 10 minutes.
Drug treatment helps eliminate inflammatory processes in tissues and normalizes blood circulation. To relieve swelling, diuretics are prescribed, which at the same time also reduce the intensity of pain.
In addition to traditional treatment, recipes from folk sources can also be used. For example, to combat Raynaud's syndrome, it is recommended to increase the intake of vitamin C. For this purpose, take ascorbic acid, citrus fruits, and rosehip infusion. You need to avoid physical overload.
Numbness of the nameless
The ring finger of the hand becomes numb as a result of non-compliance with the work and rest regime during activities associated with constant presence at the computer. There is compression of the muscle fibers in the wrist and articular nerves.
The cause of decreased finger sensitivity may be:
- dystrophic changes;
- a history of diabetes mellitus;
- anemia;
- hypovitaminosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- disturbance of blood supply;
- pinching of the intervertebral nerves in the spinal column.
Before prescribing treatment, the doctor must determine the cause of the discomfort. After a complete examination, treatment tactics are determined; it can be medicinal, surgical, or physiotherapeutic.
In parallel, folk remedies can be used. Attention is paid to the intake of sufficient amounts of microelements into the body.
Persons suffering from numbness caused by sedentary work are advised to:
- spend more time in the fresh air;
- monitor your diet, it should be balanced;
- do physical education;
- avoid excessive stress on the spinal column;
- take regular breaks from work.
Visiting a therapeutic massage, going to the gym, and performing finger exercises will have a positive effect. Ointments and creams can be used to improve nerve conduction of tissues. In parallel with this, you need to give up bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Wellness exercises, massage
To obtain the best result, it is recommended to combine the main treatment with additional therapeutic methods such as massage and gymnastics. Massage is considered an effective method of treating numbness of the upper extremities, but it is prescribed only after a complete examination and diagnosis.
The choice of specific exercises, the technique of performing them, the frequency and duration of the exercises will depend on this. It is prohibited to choose massage exercises on your own, because in this way you can only do harm, provoking the development of complications.
By performing massage exercises you can:
- improve the functioning of blood vessels - veins and capillaries;
- eliminate spasmodic muscle contractions;
- relieve nervous tension.
To enhance the therapeutic effect during massage, it is recommended to use massage oils. By adding a few drops of essential or camphor oil to them, you can increase blood circulation. The walls of blood vessels become elastic, metabolic processes are activated and oxygen saturation of tissues improves.
When performing a massage, you must follow these rules:
- The patient is in a comfortable position lying or sitting.
- When stroking, you need to support the limb.
- Movements are carried out along the flow of lymph.
- The massage should end with light, embracing movements.
If the fingers of the upper extremities are numb, the entire hand is massaged and the following is carried out:
- Kneading. Each finger is moved towards each other with pinching movements, stretching the skin, putting pressure on the bones.
- Vibrating movements (tapping).
- Trituration. Straight, circular, arc-shaped movements are carried out.
- Stroking.
Each finger is massaged in turn, the direction of movement is from tip to base. The sides, back and palm surfaces should not be left without attention.
To improve the general condition, eliminate numbness of the fingers, muscle spasms, normalize blood circulation and restore sensitivity, it is recommended to perform a set of rotational exercises:
- The arms are extended in front of you and the palms are clenched into a fist. After this, bend at the elbow joints and rotate towards the chest. Perform at least 20 times for each limb.
- Exercise 1 is repeated in the same way, but the movements should be carried out in the opposite direction (from the chest). The hands can be straightened.
- The hands are connected to each other to form a lock. Without releasing your fingers, perform reciprocal movements in all four directions.
- The arms are stretched out in front of you and all fingers are bent one at a time, while turning the hand towards you. After this, all fingers are extended one at a time, gradually moving the hand away from you. Repeat 30 times for each hand, allowed to be performed simultaneously.
This set of exercises is considered safe and can be performed without a doctor's prescription; it will help prevent the feeling of numbness and reduce the intensity when it occurs.
Other factors
The sensitivity of the little finger on the right hand changes for other reasons:
- Poorly balanced diet. In this situation, few vitamins and microelements are supplied with food. The lack of nutrients affects the functioning of the body in general and the fingers in particular.
- Tight clothing items can block blood flow.
- Bad habits, alcohol and alcohol abuse aggravate nerve conduction.
- When a husband or wife sleeps on their arm, the blood vessels are pinched.
Whatever the cause of numbness, you must pay attention to the symptom, especially in situations where it occurs frequently or the numbness persists for a long time.
Why you should always seek help from a doctor if your fingers are numb
Loss of sensation in the fingers usually indicates problems with blood circulation or compression of nerve endings. Only a doctor can determine the cause of discomfort and make a diagnosis based on the results of a number of studies.
It is difficult to independently determine the provoking factor of pathological sensations, because the cause may be:
- osteochondrosis;
- spondylosis;
- polyneuropathy of diabetic origin;
- hypertonic disease;
- IHD;
- cerebral hemorrhage;
- carpal tunnel syndrome.
All these diseases require proper and long-term treatment, because they can lead to the death of the patient.
Taking medications can also cause numbness in the fingers. To deal with the situation, you need a lot of time and knowledge, so it is better to entrust this matter to a doctor.
Frequently asked questions about the disease
Which doctor should I see for arthritis of the fingers?
It is better to immediately see a rheumatologist; if necessary, he will refer you for consultation to another specialist.
Can folk remedies be used for treatment?
You can, but not on your own, but only as prescribed by a doctor.
Rheumatologists often prescribe hormonal drugs; are they harmful?
Hormones are prescribed in short courses to eliminate pain and swelling. Such treatment cannot harm.
Arthritis of the fingers often develops unnoticed. It is very important to pay attention to aching pain in your fingers in a timely manner and consult a doctor in a timely manner. But even if you have missed time and obvious signs of arthritis appear, do not despair: you can help at any stage. It is difficult to completely cure a chronic disease, but it is quite possible to stop its progression, relieve you of pain and improve your quality of life. Doctors at the Paramita clinic (Moscow) know how to do this.
Literature:
- Zabolotnykh, I.I. Diseases of the joints / I.I. Zabolotnykh. - M.: SpetsLit, 2009. - 256 p.
- Velyaminov, N.A. The doctrine of joint diseases from a clinical point of view / N.A. Velyaminov. - M.: State Publishing House, 2011. - 434 p.
- Shostak N. A. Psoriatic arthritis: new approaches to treatment // Clinician. 2008. No. 2. P. 41–45.
Themes
Arthritis, Joints, Pain, Treatment without surgery Date of publication: 11/13/2020 Date of update: 04/03/2021
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What consequences can result from delaying seeking help from a doctor?
In the absence of adequate treatment, the pathology progresses and can become chronic. In such a situation, treatment will be lengthy and less effective. If the problem is caused by compression of the nerve fibers, they die, so treatment must begin immediately. In advanced cases, the likelihood of full recovery decreases.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is accompanied by compression of nerve endings as a result of repetitive activities. As you continue to exercise, the situation worsens, and even with treatment, the rate of recovery decreases.
During myocardial infarction, the heart muscle suffers, causing numbness in the fingers of the left hand. The condition poses a danger not only to health, but also to life, because without help it can cause death.
A decrease in the level of sensitivity of the fingers is also accompanied by impaired cerebral circulation. The pathology progresses rapidly and therefore requires emergency care. If not treated in a timely manner, the patient may become disabled or even die.
Blood supply problems
The fingers on the right hand go numb due to problems with blood supply that arise for the following reasons:
- Narrowing or blocking of the lumen of blood vessels that deliver blood to micronutrients.
- Raynaud's syndrome or spasms.
- Constantly low pressure. The heart muscle cannot cope with pushing blood into narrow vessels, so numbness occurs due to a lack of micronutrients.
- High ICP does not allow blood supply to certain parts of the body.
A negative condition due to problems with blood supply can be unilateral or bilateral.
Why you should never rely on treatment with folk remedies for such a phenomenon
Carrying out self-medication by using recipes from folk sources can cause a worsening of the situation, the transition of the pathology to a chronic form and the development of complications. Even if it is possible to reduce the intensity of pathological sensations, the disease continues to progress.
The use of folk remedies without the consent of a doctor is not recommended because:
- they can have many contraindications and lead to the development of adverse reactions (this is especially true for oral medications);
- products for external use can provoke the development of serious allergic reactions;
- The effectiveness of traditional treatment may decrease.
Prevention
During the consultation, the doctor provides general advice on preventing numbness in the right little finger:
- The diet needs to be varied.
- If your work requires you to spend a long time looking at the monitor, you will have to do a warm-up every hour.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Buy a good mattress to get better sleep.
- Insulate according to weather conditions, especially in winter.
- If there is no desired result from following such advice, you will have to undergo diagnostics and consult with doctors again.
Many people do not believe that numbness in the little finger may indicate a serious illness, so they are not attentive enough to their health.
Often the little finger on the right hand begins to go numb due to pathologies in the spine or carpal tunnel syndrome. Pathologies of the circulatory system are the most dangerous.
