Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Originally posted on September 27, 2022 @ 7:33 am

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a small hole in the palm. It is surrounded by bones and ligaments.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as median nerve compression, can cause your hand to feel numb, tingly, or weak.

The median nerve, which spans the length of your arm, passes through the carpal tunnel in your wrist, and finally terminates in your hand, is under pressure when this happens. The median controls the movement of your thumb and all of your other fingers except for the pinky.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Signs and Symptoms Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms consist of:

• Numbness in the palm, thumb, or index and middle fingers that is burning, tingling, or itching
• inability to hold objects and hand weakness.
• Your fingers experience shock-like sensations.
• A tingling sensation that travels up your arm

The first sign that your fingers “sleep” and get numb at night may be that they start to “fall asleep.” Usually, it’s caused by the way you hold your hand when you’re sleeping.

Numbness and tingling in your hands that may extend all the way to your shoulder may wake you in the morning. Throughout the day, your sensations may get worse if you’re holding something with your wrist bent, such as when you’re driving or reading a book.

Shaking your hands could make you feel better if the disease is still in its early stages. The numbness could not go completely away, though, after some time.

Because of the weakening hand muscles caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, you can have a weaker grip. You’ll have increased discomfort and tightness in your muscles.

The pressure or inflammation surrounding your median nerve prevents it from functioning as it should. Because of this,

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• Reduced nerve impulse speed.
• A reduction in finger sensation
• In particular, the ability to pinch with your thumb is less strong and coordinated.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Many times, sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome are unaware of what caused it. As a result of:

• These are wrist movements that you repeatedly make, such as when typing. When your hands are below your wrists, it is especially true that you should be careful.
• Obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other conditions
•  Pregnancy

Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome may be higher if you:

• You are a lady. Three times as many women as men will contract it. They may have fewer carpal tunnel syndromes, which may explain this.
• You know someone who has mild carpal tunnel syndrome
• If you have a job that requires repetitive motions with your arm, hand, or wrist, such as working on an assembly line, being a knitter, seamstress, baker, cashier, or musician,
• Your wrist might break or become displaced.

Diagnosis for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The tunnel sign test or full wrist flexion with your arms extended may be performed by your doctor. Your doctor may also tap the palm side of your wrist. A variety of tests, such as:

• Imaging tests Your doctor can examine your bones and tissues using an MRI, an ultrasound, or an X-ray.
• Electromyogram Your doctor inserts a thin electrode into a muscle to record the electrical activity of the muscle.
• Nerve conduction tests. Your physician applies electrodes to your skin to measure the signals coming from the nerves in your hand and arm.

Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Your diagnosis and course of treatment will be determined by your symptoms and level of illness. You may need

• lifestyle modifications If your symptoms are caused by repetitive motion, take more breaks or do the painful thing a little less often.
• Exercises Feeling better may come from stretching or strengthening exercises. You can improve the movement of the nerve in your carpal tunnel by performing exercises for nerve gliding.

• Immobilization Your doctor might advise you to put on a splint to prevent your wrist from moving and relieve pressure on your nerves. To help eliminate that tingling or numbness, you might wear one at night. You can get better sleep and give your median nerve a break by doing this.
• Medication Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections to reduce swelling.
• Surgery. If none of these treatments work, you could have a procedure called a carpal tunnel release, which widens the tunnel and takes pressure off the nerve.

Problems Associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can linger for a very long time and worsen if you don’t treat them.

Additionally, they might depart before returning. It’s simpler to treat a condition when you receive a diagnosis early on. You’ll be able to keep your hand functioning normally and prevent permanent muscle damage.

Prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Try to reduce your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Maintain a straight wrist position.
• Use a brace or splint that assists in maintaining a neutral wrist position.
• Take care not to repeatedly extend and flex your wrists.
• Keep your hands toasty.
• Anytime you can, take breaks.
• While working, position your hands and wrists correctly.