Living With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
September 3, 2009
People suffering from the carpal tunnel syndrome are overwhelmed by the pain, weakness and numbness of the thumb, index and middle fingers. Carpal tunnel is the part of the wrist through which the blood vessels, tendons and nerves connected to the fingers pass.
If for some reason pressure on the median nerve passing through the carpal tunnel increases, numbness, tingling and pain develop in the thumb, middle and index fingers. This painful condition is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpel tunnel syndrome causes
Several factors could increase pressure on the median nerve. Repeated activities with your hands increase the risk of carpel tunnel syndrome. Uninterrupted typing, writing, painting, playing musical instruments, knitting, carpentry and even driving can cause carpel tunnel syndrome.
Arthritis affecting the wrist joint can compress the median nerve passing through the carpel tunnel. Swelling of the extremities during pregnancy can irritate the median nerve. Diabetes and hypothyroidism are sometimes responsible for this painful condition.
Enlargement of the wrist bone or tendon inflammation can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Uremia, a condition characterized by inability of the kidneys to filter blood properly, is sometimes responsible for this painful condition.
Carpel tunnel syndrome symptoms
Carpel tunnel syndrome sufferers experience pain and numbness in the wrist and fingers. The pain might increase during the night. When the pain worsens, it spreads to the upper part of the hand. Carpel tunnel syndrome symptoms also include muscle weakness and tingling sensation in the wrist, fingers and hand.
Carpel tunnel syndrome prevention
By avoiding repetitive wrist and finger movements, carpel tunnel syndrome could be easily prevented. While typing, writing or doing any handwork, you should relax your fingers and wrist as often as possible. Change positions of your hand frequently while doing a repetitive task.
Carpel tunnel syndrome home remedies
Using a wrist splint, which helps to keep your wrist straight, could help to alleviate the symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome. To reduce the pain, apply ice pack on your wrist. Rotating your wrist helps to release the muscle tension, improving the mobility of your wrist. Increasing vitamin B complex intake can help to cure the symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome.
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