Carpal tunnel syndrome

 

 Carpal tunnel syndrome, also called median nerve compression.
The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand — the median nerve — is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. 

In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse over time, so early diagnosis and treatment are important. 

Early on, symptoms can often be relieved with simple measures like wearing a wrist splint or avoiding certain activities.
women and older people are more likely to develop the condition.

Sign & symptoms--

•Numbness.

•Tingling or pain in the fingers (especially the thumb, index and middle fingers).

•Decreased feeling in the fingertips.

•Shock-like feelings that move into your fingers.

•Difficulty using the hand for small tasks(like:Handling small objects, Grasping a steering wheel to drive, Holding a book to read, writing, using a computer keyboard).

•Weakness in the hand.

•Inability to perform tasks that require delicate motions (such as buttoning a shirt).

•Dropping objects.

Causes & Risk factors--

•Repetitive hand use-- Repeating the same hand and wrist motions or activities( like sewer or knitter, baker,cashier,hairstylist,musician, typist etc) over a prolonged period of time may aggravate the tendons in the wrist, causing swelling that puts pressure on the nerve.

•Hand and wrist position-- Doing activities that involve extreme flexion or extension of the hand and wrist for a prolonged period of time can increase pressure on the nerve.

•Nerve-damaging conditions-- Some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, increase your risk of nerve damage, including damage to your median nerve.

•Inflammatory conditions-- Rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions that have an inflammatory component can affect the lining around the tendons in your wrist and put pressure on your median nerve.

•Trauma-- fracture or certain trauma in the wrist.

•Medications-- Some studies have shown a link between carpal tunnel syndrome and the use of anastrozole (Arimidex), a drug used to treat breast cancer.

•Obesity-- Being obese is a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome.

•Body fluid change-- Fluid retention may increase the pressure within your carpal tunnel, irritating the median nerve. This is common during pregnancy and menopause. Carpal tunnel syndrome associated with pregnancy generally gets better on its own after pregnancy.

•Other medical conditions-- Certain conditions such as menopause, thyroid disorders, kidney failure and lymphedema, may increase your chances of carpal tunnel syndrome.

•Heredity-- This is likely an important factor. The carpal tunnel may be smaller in some people.

Prevention--

•Reduce your force and relax your grip (If your work involves keyboard for instance, hit the keys softly.)

•Take short, frequent breaks (Alternate tasks when possible.Even a few minutes break each hour can make a difference.)

•Watch your form (Avoid bending your wrist all the way up or down. A relaxed middle position is best. Keep your keyboard at elbow height or slightly lower.)

•Change your computer mouse (Make sure that your computer mouse is comfortable and doesn't strain your wrist.)

•Keep your hands warm (if you work in a cold environment & can't control the temperature at work, put on fingerless gloves that keep your hands and wrists warm.)

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