Hath Paon Sun Hona: B12, Diabetes, Posture and the Right Test (Video)

Transcript

Why Hands Fall Asleep

Ever wonder why your hands or feet fall asleep even when you haven’t been sitting oddly? Sometimes it’s just a brief pinch, other times it’s a sign your body needs something more. Let’s explore what’s behind that tingling feeling.

What Triggers Numbness

A quick pinch under your own weight can cause that pins-and-needles rush, but when the numbness shows up without a clear position, lasts for hours, or repeats in a pattern, it may be pointing to something deeper.

Positional Numbness

If you sit cross-legged on a charpai for too long, the peroneal nerve behind the knee gets compressed and circulation to the foot drops for a moment. The same thing happens if you tuck an arm under your pillow while you sleep. Move, shake it out, and the feeling fades.

Beyond Position

When the tingling isn’t tied to a specific pose, it could be a sign of low vitamin B12, hidden diabetes, or a nerve that’s been gradually pinched over years. Those three are the usual suspects doctors look at first.

Old Remedy

Many families warm up tingling limbs with a massage of warm mustard or sesame oil. It feels soothing and can help simple positional numbness, but it won’t fix a B12 deficiency or diabetic nerve damage.

Two Simple Tests

If the numbness recurs without a clear cause, ask your doctor for two cheap, widely available tests: a fasting blood sugar or HbA1c, and a serum B12 level. Together they explain most chronic cases. Don’t start injections unless the blood work shows a real low.

Night Light Test

Keep a torch or phone light handy at night. If you wake up with numbness that eases when you shake your hand hard, especially the thumb and first two fingers, it often points to carpal tunnel from how you hold your wrist while sleeping. Mention that to your doctor.

Less Common Triggers

Other, less common reasons include an underactive thyroid, certain medications like some chemo drugs or blood-pressure pills, and long-term heavy alcohol use. A simple TSH test can rule out thyroid issues, and it’s worth noting any new meds or drinking habits to your clinician.

Pregnancy Numbness

Pregnant women often feel tingling in the hands at night because fluid retention presses on the wrist nerves, a pregnancy version of carpal tunnel. B12 and iron needs also rise, and prenatal labs usually check for those. Still, bring it up at your next visit.

Diet to Support Nerves

While you’re sorting out testing, keep your B12 steady with an egg most days, a portion of meat, chicken or fish a few times a week, and dairy if you tolerate it. If you’re watching sugar, spread carbs throughout the day and take a short walk after meals. These habits support nerve health but aren’t a substitute for medical monitoring.

When to Seek Help

If numbness appears suddenly on one side, especially with slurred speech, facial drooping, or weakness, call emergency services, it could be a stroke. Same goes for loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapid spreading up both legs. Pregnant women with new swelling should also be checked promptly.

Take Care

For the full details, read the post on thecareonline.com. Remember, this is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice.