Causes of Tingling and Numb Fingers

It is very normal to have tingling in the hands or fingers on occasion. Most of us know exactly what you are referring to since we have experienced it for ourselves.

Tingling fingers can be caused by a nerve that is pinched. Pinching a nerve can interrupt the normal nerve function and create "pins and needles" sensation along the nerve's path. The pinching can occur anywhere along the nerve track, for instance in the neck with a bulging disc, or in the wrist when swelling occurs in the bone canals. Tingling in the hands is especially common at night when we sleep and maintain a funny position for long periods of time.

There are other causes of tingling to consider:

• Hyperventilation, or rapid breathing, which can cause tingling in the fingers and around the mouth by lowering the level of carbon dioxide in the blood stream. This is usually associated with an anxious or panicky feeling.
• Vitamin B-12 is essential to normal nerve function, so low levels of this can cause tingling.
• Diabetes can cause neuropathy where the extremities can tingle or hurt. The nerve disturbance can even occur occasionally before the blood sugar is significantly elevated.
• Medication - there are a few medications that can cause tingling or even neuropathy and nerve damage, so check with your doctor if you are taking medication.
• Heavy metals, which are often found in small amounts in the blood stream, can cause nerve symptoms if they build up to harmful levels.
• Alcohol in excess over long periods of time damages the nerves and may cause permanent loss of feeling.
• Thyroid hormone abnormalities can cause extra fluid to accumulate in the tissues and joints. This can put pressure on the nerves and cause tingling.

Several other less common causes of tingling exist, so if the symptoms are persistent or worsening, please check with your doctor. In some instances, permanent loss of nerve function can occur, so this is an important symptom to have evaluated.