What happens when your hand falls asleep and why does it hurt for days later?

What Happens When Your Hand Falls Asleep?

When your hand falls asleep, it is essentially experiencing a temporary loss of sensation. This is due to a lack of blood flow to the nerves that supply your hand. When you put pressure on your hand, such as when you rest your head on it, you are compressing the nerves that supply it. This compression prevents blood from flowing to the nerves and, as a result, the nerves become unable to transmit signals to your brain. This lack of sensation is what causes your hand to feel asleep.

Why Does It Hurt for Days Later?

The pain that you experience after your hand falls asleep can be caused by a number of factors. One factor is that the nerves in your hand have been damaged by the lack of blood flow. This damage can take several days to repair, which is why the pain can persist for days after your hand falls asleep.

Another factor that can contribute to the pain is the fact that the muscles in your hand have become stiff due to the lack of activity. When you move your hand after it has fallen asleep, the stiff muscles can cause pain. This pain can also last for several days.

Finally, the swelling that can occur after your hand falls asleep can also contribute to the pain. The swelling is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the hand. This fluid can put pressure on the nerves and muscles, which can cause pain.

Treatment

The pain that you experience after your hand falls asleep can be treated with a number of home remedies. These include:

- Applying ice to the hand

- Elevating the hand

- Massaging the hand

- Taking over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

If the pain is severe or does not improve after a few days, it is important to see a doctor.

Prevention

There are a number of things that you can do to prevent your hand from falling asleep:

- Avoid putting pressure on your hand for extended periods of time.

- Take frequent breaks if you are performing an activity that requires you to hold your hand in one position for a long time.

- Exercise your hands regularly to keep them flexible.