Weakness in Hands

Many times, it is observed that people get up early in the morning to perform their daily chores. However, to their surprise, they are unable to do any activities effectively, thanks to the weakness in hands. Even to hold or carry an object results into sharp shooting pain that radiates from the wrist. This is indeed very annoying, especially when people are in a hurry to go to work.

Weakness in hands can occur due to many reasons. For instance, spinal cord injuries that damage the nerve traveling to the arms and legs can cause pain and weakness in hand.  Carrying heavy handbags for a considerable period of time puts excessive strain on the nerves and muscles of the arm. This may result in weak hands. Here are other possible causes:

Deficiency in Vitamin B12: Weakness in both hands can be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. The person also experiences numb hands, that considerably hamper day-to-day activities. Tingling sensation, similar to pricking of pins and needles, in hands, is a common complaint of people with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): This is a hand problem that considerably affects the grip. A person with CTS is unable to hold any objects properly. A weak grip makes it very difficult to carry things from one place to another. The carpal tunnel is a small portion located on the wrist, that comprises nine muscle tendons.

In between the tendons lies the most important nerve, the median nerve that delivers sensation and movement to the fingers and the palm. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves inflammation of the median, when it is subjected to undue pressure from the muscle tendons.

Repetitive movements of the fingers that commonly occur while typewriting, can lead to CTS. If CTS is not diagnosed on time, it can cause serious muscles weakness and damage to hands and fingers.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is a medical condition, in which the nerve that runs from the arms is damaged. The brain uses the nerve to send messages to the muscles, that promote normal movement of hands and legs.

Peripheral neuropathy that causes nerve injury, can lead to weakness and tingling sensation in hands. In this condition, sharp shooting pain that radiates from the wrist, prevents from lifting objects.

Overuse: Engaging oneself in high intensity exercise involving the hands for a long duration might be a healthy habit but one may end up complaining about hands becoming weak. Even playing sports like tennis and golf for hours can put a lot of strain on your hands.

Weightlifting is yet another demanding workout for the hands. No wonder, professional weightlifters, who devote a considerable amount of time in this activity everyday often experience weakness in hands.

Edema: The term edema is commonly used to describe a condition in which there is excess accumulation of bodily fluids in the extremities such as the hands and the feet. The area where the fluid gets trapped appears swollen. In most cases, edema symptoms are noticed in the legs, hands and the ankles.

Hand swelling is typically marked by feeble grip (loss of strength) and restricted movement. In simple words, the person struggles with range of motion of hands. The hand may become stiff and is often accompanied by wrist swelling.

Botulism Food Poisoning: Food contaminated with C. Botulinum bacteria is sometimes the primary reason behind paralysis. Although, food poisoning triggers symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting, botulism food poisoning specifically invades the muscles in the arms and legs.

Muscle paralysis is a complication of this food borne illness that occurs when treatment is ignored. Symptoms of botulism food poisoning such as weakness in right hand can occur within 18-36 hours after consumption of contaminated food.

Fractured Bone in Hands: As we all know, the palm, wrist and fingers are the parts of the hand, each of which contains bones that provide structure to the hand. In all, the hand constitutes 27 bones and any damage or fracture to a single bone can cause serious pain and weaken the hand.