Numb Hands Playing Video Games

Dear Ask The Doctor:Recently my right hand has begun to continuously go numb. It focuses around my thumb but spreads out to the rest of the rest of my hand often. It isn't like my hand is falling asleep, I cannot wake it back up wit hany amount of movement or stimulation. It happens most often when I am doing something with my hands such as a video game or messing with me phone. But the other day I woke up and it was like that. I am worried because I use my hands at work and I do not want this to happen while I am working.

Dear Ryan:  One sided numbness such as you have described is often the result of nerve compression or nerve damage.  The most common cause is repetitive activities and in your case video gaming and computer use may be a strong contributing factor.

I would suggest immediately reducing activities that make it worse.  Because you are now having symptoms at rest and at night, I would suggest seeing a chiropractor or physiotherapist sooner rather than later.