What You Need to Know About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common problem known to affect the hand, such that the person suffering from it feels numbness, pain, and general weakness on the affected hand and wrist. There are various treatment options available, including surgery, lifestyle changes, and changes in the environment. Below is a brief overview of some of the things you need to know about this condition.

About carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition experienced whenever there is an increase in pressure on the median nerve of the wrist. This is the nerve responsible for feelings of sensation on the middle fingers, index finger, thumb, and half of the ring finger.

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

There are various factors that can contribute to increased pressure on the median nerve, which, as we’ve learned, can cause this condition. Usually, inflammation is the common cause, but this is normally due to a variety of underlying medical conditions that might cause the wrist to swell.

Some of the conditions that have been previously linked to this condition include diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and fractures or trauma to the wrist.

The condition may sometimes worsen when the wrist is overextended repeatedly or if there is repeated motion to the wrist, leading to swelling and compression of the median nerve.

Symptoms of carpal syndrome

A thorough diagnosis by a doctor may be necessary for you to know if you have this condition. However, some of the carpal tunnel symptoms that may convince you to go to a doctor for a checkup include wrist pain at night that jolts you from sleep, weak muscles of the hand, pain and burning sensation that you feel traveling up the arm, and numbness and tingling in the arm as well as the first three fingers of your hand.

Who is at risk of experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome?

Studies suggest that women are three times more likely to experience this condition when compared to men. The condition is mostly found in people between the ages of 30 and 60. There are certain underlying medical conditions that may also predispose individuals to this condition; these include arthritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Certain jobs that involve repetitive movement of the arms may also increase one’s likelihood of suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Some of these jobs include manufacturing, working on an assembly line, keyboarding occupations, and some forms of construction work.

Carpal tunnel diagnosis

Doctors may use your medical history, physical examination, and tests known as nerve conduction studies to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. Once diagnosed, the doctor will then determine an appropriate treatment for the condition.