Causes of left hand pain?

Left hand pain is a symptom of several conditions, some much more serious than others. It’s unusual for people to experience pain in one hand but not the other without some obvious, targeted injury, however, which makes paying attention to symptoms quite important. People who use one hand more than the other are at increased risk of pain associated with re-use injuries and cramping, but may also be responsible for some degenerative conditions such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Pain radiating to the arm could also indicate an impending heart attack. In general, anyone who has unexplained pain in a hand that doesn’t go away on its own should usually see a doctor to rule out serious problems.

Arm injury

By far the most common cause of left hand pain is an injury to the left arm, wrist, or elbow. Fractures, sprains, and bruises can cause sensation in the hand even if the hand hasn’t actually been injured. The human arm is made up of a series of muscles, tendons and ligaments that are all interconnected. Damage in one area is often felt elsewhere as other muscles are forced to work harder; the pain also tends to spread from the site of the initial exacerbation and to surrounding areas.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Most people think of wrist tenderness and tingling when they think of carpal tunnel syndrome, but hand pain is also included. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes pinched between bones, usually from excessive, repetitive motion. Typists and people who spend a lot of time working on computers often develop this condition, as do checkers, scanners and office workers—basically anyone who keeps their wrists busy in the corner.

Carpal tunnel typically occurs on both wrists at the same time, but a lot depends on the activity that caused it. Someone who uses their left hand more than their right may only develop pain on one side. Wearing a brace to stabilize your muscles is one of the best ways to combat it; in severe cases, however, surgery may be needed to repair damaged tissue and restore nerve function.

tendonitis

Tendonitis in the wrist, fingers, or forearm may also be to blame. This condition occurs when one or more tendons become inflamed, causing swelling and irritation or, in extreme cases, total loss of sensation or permanent nerve damage. A number of tendons run up and down the hand connecting the muscles in the fingers to those in the wrist and arm, and inflammation can happen to one or all of them.

Most people who have left hand pain from tendonitis develop it by straining or overusing the muscles in the hands, fingers, or wrists. Pianists, gardeners and painters are some of the most common patients. In most cases, the inflammation goes away on its own, but some medications may be prescribed to relieve swelling and speed healing.
Repetitive motion syndrome and cramps

The pain can sometimes occur after repetitive movements that don’t damage the nerves or tendons, so they can’t be classified correctly as carpal tunnel or tendonitis. This type of injury is usually more like a simple sprain as it is usually not very serious and usually goes away on its own. Many medical professionals claim that this type of impairment is due to “repetitive motive syndrome,” although there is some controversy when it comes to actually classifying this as a formal condition. Other experts simply call it an overuse injury.

Muscle cramps are similar. Left-handed people who spend a lot of time doing things like writing, drawing or painting often experience painful cramps if they grip the pen or brush too tightly, or if their bodies are positioned at an awkward or otherwise unnatural angle. Cramps can usually be relieved with a combination of stretching and rest, although over-the-counter pain relievers may help in the short term.
Degenerative diseases and conditions
Pain that doesn’t go away on its own or that tends to come and go without a clear connection to some activity or use may be caused by a more serious medical condition. Diabetes is a common example. People with diabetes have difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, which can lead to inflammation and pain in different parts of the body. A person might feel pain in their left hand one day but their right hand the next, for example. Most of the time this will decrease once your blood chemistry returns to normal, but not always; if left untreated, diabetes can cause permanent damage to your hands and feet.

Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis could also be a cause. Multiple sclerosis patients typically face a slow deterioration in nerve and muscle control as the protective coating around the body’s major nerve structures wears away and breaks down prematurely. The disease is usually not curable, but patients can often control their symptoms, including left hand pain, through a number of different drug regimens.
Heart Attack
One of the best-known signs of an impending heart attack is sudden, shooting pain in the arm, often including or sometimes starting in the hand as well. In these cases the pain in the left hand is usually just one of many other more serious symptoms, including tightness and overwhelming pain in the chest, fainting and shortness of breath, and a sudden onset of crushing fatigue. Anyone who experiences or sees another person experiencing these things should get immediate medical attention. Prompt treatment can often mean the difference between life and death.
Medical interventions and treatment options
Medical professionals usually advise people to keep a close eye on left hand pain and get help if it comes back or gets worse over time. It’s usually not considered “normal” to regularly have pain in one hand but not the other – and any pain is usually a sign that something is wrong. Healthcare professionals who can diagnose the root cause are often able to provide the best treatment.

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