7 Common Cause Of Tingling In Left Arm From Elbow To Hand

Imagine this: you extend your arm, trying to reach for an ice-cold drink of water, only to stop in your tracks. You’re suddenly overtaken by a weird tingling in your left arm, traveling from the elbow to your hand. — What is this feeling? Is it a sign of a heart attack? Should you be worried?

If you have ever gone through something similar, there were probably a lot of warning bells going off in your head. But don’t worry. A tingling sensation in your left arm is not always serious. It can arise due to various factors, ranging from a mild strain to severe spasms.

However, if the tingling is accompanied by pain and burning in the arm, it might require immediate medical assistance. Nonetheless, to help understand the causes behind this odd sensation, keep reading this blog.

What Causes Tingling in Left Arm From Elbow to Hand?

Left arm tingling that extends from the elbow to your hand is not always serious. It could result from muscle overuse or a lack of a nutritious diet. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely harmless, either. Based on the symptoms, if a burning sensation accompanies the tingling, it could be a precursor to stroke or nerve damage. Nevertheless, mentioned below are some of the most common reasons why this feeling arises:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CTS, or carpal tunnel syndrome, is a rheumatic condition that can lead to tingling, numbness, and bouts of pain in your hand. In most cases, the pain tends to travel from your palm to your fingers to the wrist as a result of the median nerve being compressed.
Ulnar Nerve Compression
When a nerve in your elbow gets pinched, it can lead to cubital tunnel syndrome. Just like the median nerve, the ulnar nerve travels from your neck all the way down your arm. Thus a compression near the elbow can cause an odd tingling in your hand.
Paresthesia
Technically, paresthesia refers to nerve injury or trauma. It’s not always categorized as a serious condition. However, if the vertebrae get damaged, or the spinal disc moves out of place, it can greatly affect your nervous system, which further causes tingling in the left arm.
Hyperthyroidism
The lack of thyroid production in your body can give birth to hyperthyroidism, a condition that affects your arms. This is why most people with hyperthyroidism complain of their arms going numb and constantly feeling like there are pins and needles in them.
Poor Blood Flow
Your body reacts to these conditions by restricting blood flow, whether it’s due to an injury or an underlying health condition. This, in turn, causes serious problems as it can make your arms swell up, accompanied by pain and a tingling sensation running across your fingers and elbow.
Vitamin Deficiency
Believe it or not, left arm tingling is also a symptom of vitamin deficiency. Specifically, vitamin B12 and D. Given how vitamin B12 is necessary for your nervous system to function properly, an undersupply of it can lead to tingling and prickling in your left arm.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when there is a significant drop in your blood flow. Some of its most common and easy-to-identify symptoms include speech impairment, dizziness, left arm tingling, and loss of balance.

Closing Word

All in all, if you constantly feel like there is a current of tingling in your left arm that slides from your elbow to the hand, don’t be so quick to brush it away. Visit a professional rheumatologist to get it checked out.

To schedule an appointment with one of our experts, contact Rheumatology Care at 832-532-9779 or visit 3688 Breton Ridge St, STE H, Houston, TX 77070, located near the Houston Kidney Specialists Center.