Why do my hands go numb at night?

The pattern you describe - tingling, numbness, or pain in the hand and fingers that shows up at night - is the textbook signature of carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve runs through a narrow passage in your wrist, and anything that swells the tendons sharing that tunnel squeezes the nerve. The NHS notes the symptoms usually start slowly, come and go, and are worse at night. Many people sleep with their wrists curled, which adds pressure, and fluid shifts when you lie down add more. The good news: the NHS says it can often be treated yourself, and sometimes gets better on its own in a few months, especially when pregnancy is the cause. The first-line fix is a wrist splint worn at night to hold the wrist straight - available from pharmacies, and you may need up to 6 weeks before it feels better. Cutting back on activities that bend the wrist or grip hard also helps. Pregnancy, menopause, an underactive thyroid, and repetitive hand work all raise the odds, per MedlinePlus. See a GP if symptoms keep getting worse or refuse to go away - a squeezed nerve left too long can weaken the hand. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you check your pattern.