Why Do Your Hands or Feet Fall Asleep?

Short answer: a limb "falls asleep" most often because you've put pressure on a nerve by staying in one position for a while. When you move and the pressure comes off, you feel pins and needles for a minute or two. If it happens often, lasts a long time or comes with other symptoms, talk to a clinician. Some warning signs call for emergency care, listed below.

What's happening

The medical term is paresthesia: tingling, prickling or numbness. When a nerve is squeezed, its signals are disrupted. When you release the pressure, the nerve recovers, and the pins and needles are part of that recovery. It's usually harmless and short-lived.

Common, harmless causes

Sitting with your legs crossed, sleeping on an arm, leaning on an elbow, holding a phone in one position, breathing rapidly during anxiety, or cold. Change position, move gently, and it should pass.

When it may be something else

If the tingling is frequent, long-lasting, or happens with no obvious position-related cause, health organizations list possible causes such as a pinched nerve (for example carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica), diabetes, low vitamin B12, certain medications or circulation problems. We can't tell you what's causing yours: only a clinician who examines you can.

See a doctor if it keeps coming back, is always in the same place, is getting worse, or comes with weakness, clumsiness or dropping things.

Warning signs: call 911 or go to the emergency room

Get emergency help right away if numbness or tingling comes on suddenly with any of these:

• Weakness on one side of the body, or trouble moving an arm or leg.
• A drooping face, trouble speaking or understanding, confusion, or sudden vision problems.
• A sudden, severe headache.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or buttocks with back pain.
• Numbness after a head, neck or back injury.

These can be signs of a stroke or other serious conditions where minutes matter.

In the meantime

Change position often, take breaks from repetitive tasks and stretch your wrists and neck. Don't self-diagnose or start supplements without medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for my hand to fall asleep at night?

It can happen because of how you sleep. If it happens often or wakes you, tell a clinician, since a wrist or neck nerve problem can cause it.

Can anxiety cause tingling?

Fast breathing during anxiety can cause tingling, according to health sources. If it's new or recurring, get it checked.

Keep reading

More on everyday body reactions:

• Why Do We Get Hiccups? What Causes Them and What Actually Helps?