What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an illness or condition caused by pressurising or compressing the median nerve of the hand. This can lead to pain, numbness, tingling and, in extreme cases, dysfunction. When the median nerve is compressed, it becomes difficult to feel sensation in the hand. This is because the median nerve plays a primary role in providing sensation to the fingers, and when compressed, its function is compromised.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome cannot be narrowed down to one specific type. However, multiple factors can contribute to the incidence of the condition. These are some:
● Diseases of the bones and joints such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc.
● Hereditary traits can also be a factor. The bone structure of the individuals may be a family trait that makes carpal tunnel syndrome a genetic concern.
● Pregnancy is another deciding factor in the condition. During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the body, which can spike up the pressure on nerves.
● Frequent repetitive action due to job nature, such as typing for a long period or holding items very hard, like in javelin sports.
Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are not frequent in the early stages and in mild cases. They "come and go". However, as the condition worsens, the symptoms become more pronounced. It may have similarities with other illnesses that affect joints or bones, but there are differences you can point to when diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. Some of the signs you should look out for are:
● A feeling of "swelling" in one or both hands around the wrist area and fingers. The sensation may be more frequent at night.
● Dropping objects because the hand feels weak or numb and you're unable to feel your hand.
● Feelings of tingles and pain from the forearm up to the shoulder area.
● Another primary symptom is feeling numbness, pain and tingling around your fingers.
● Clumsiness and inability to carry out delicate yet simple tasks like buttoning a shirt.
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome will be diagnosed by your physician, who will review your medical history and engage in some tests. The common physical methods of diagnosis include; the Phalen test and the Tinel sign test and a requirement to engage in certain physical activities. The doctor might also recommend electromyography to ascertain the severity of the condition. The electrical activity of your muscles and nerves is measured to determine whether there's damage or not.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be managed and treated with several methods to alleviate its symptoms. Nonetheless, it is advisable to visit your physician for an early diagnosis and begin quick treatments. This will prevent a dire situation that may require surgery or other expensive treatment.
Simple Lifestyle Procedures To Follow
When dealing with mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, there are certain habits you can adopt to alleviate the severity of your condition. Let's take a look at them:
● Reduce the level of force used when gripping items for activities like pens in writing, equipment for sports and gym, etc.
● Wear a brace material to help reduce the pressure and relieve the wrists.
● Avoid activities that require repetitive hand movements for a lengthy period of time.
● Adjust your workplace set-up to accommodate a neutral position for the wrists to be relieved of pressure. Make use of a height adjustable desk in place of the office desk or standing desk.
● Reduce the frequency or, if possible, avoid totally the use of tools that vibrate aggressively and require a strong grip.
● Where it is unavoidable to use tools that require forceful grips, take frequent breaks.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is recommended when all other treatments fail to improve the patient's condition. A common type of surgical treatment is open surgery, whereby the wrist is split open, and the tissue putting pressure on the median nerve is cut out. Another type of surgery is endoscopic surgery. In this surgery method, a tiny rod is used to see inside the wrist after a small cut has been made. After the tissue has been cut away, the wrist is wrapped in a splint for about two weeks. This is to help the wrist recover and prevent it from moving during this stage.
Anti-inflammatory Drugs
The medical expert can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to help alleviate the pain experienced by patients. These drugs can be orally used drugs or injections. Drugs like ibuprofen are commonly recommended to treat the situation and often work unless the severity of the case is high.
In Summary
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common nerve illness that affects the median nerve in the wrists and makes functioning quite hard. A change in lifestyle can help to improve conditions. However, frequent symptoms might require more treatments and a visit to the doctor. Medication and surgery include some of the best bets to deal with the ailment and improve your life.
FAQ
What is The Median Nerve?
The median nerve is a nerve that is found in the upper arm. It is a sensory nerve that comes from the spinal cord and ends in the fingers. When you strain your wrists from typing so much on your office desk, you can increase the pressure on the median nerve.
What is The Carpal Tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is made up of bones, ligaments and the median nerve. It is an opening in the wrist that allows the median nerve to provide sensory and locomotor functions to the fingers.
Who Can Get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve illness and can affect anyone. It is most common among older people, but women are said to be three times more likely to get the illness.
