It is very important if you start feeling certain numbness weakness or a tingling sensation in your hand to go to your Doctor and have him/her checked for carpal tunnel syndrome.
This syndrome is caused by certain pressure being applied to your median nerve, which runs the length of the arm, then passes through the wrist in a passage called carpal tunnel which ends in the hand. The median nerve is the responsible for controlling the movements and feelings of all your fingers with the exception of the pinky.
The carpal tunnel gets narrow as a result of the pressure and the swelling. It isn’t uncommon for people not to know exactly why their carpal tunnel syndrome was brought on. But the common causes can be:
– Repetitive Motions such as typing or writing, or any other motion involving a repetitive movement of your wrist.
– Chronic Conditions such as Hypothyroidism, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and Diabetes.
– Pregnancy.
Leaving carpal tunnel syndrome untreated the symptoms can last for a long time, get worse, and although sometimes they go away is to only return in strength. For that reason, it is important to be treated on time, and don’t hesitate to visit your doctor if you feel any indication.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be a burning sensation, tingling, and/or itching numbness in your hand. Usually, the first sign is to feel your fingers numb during the night time, because of the relaxed position your hand is while you are sleeping.
Waking up in the morning you’ll feel a numbness and tingling sensation in your hands all the way through your shoulder.
While everyone might be prone to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome due to the kind of work they do all day, there are certain conditions that make people even more prone to suffer from it, such as:
– Obesity.
– Hypothyroidism.
– Rheumatoid Arthritis.
– Diabetes.
– Pregnancy.
– Trauma to the hand.
Another important fact is that Women are actually three times more prone to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome than Men, this is mostly due to the fact that their carpal tunnel is much smaller than the men.
Also, there are certain jobs that because they involve repetitive motions, in the long run, are responsible for the developing of the syndrome, they are:
– Assembly Line Worker.
– Sewer.
– Knitter.
– Baker.
– Cashier.
– Hair Stylist.
– Musician.
There are a few tests the doctor can perform determine whether or not you have carpal tunnel syndrome, one of them is called EMG-NCV which helps to test the nerve across the carpal tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated by lifestyle changes, immobilization (through short periods of time), Medication, and of course Surgery.