What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A well-known condition, that can be very painful carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of pressure being put on a nerve located in your wrist. This condition can cause pain in your fingers, hands, as …

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A well-known condition, that can be very painful carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of pressure being put on a nerve located in your wrist. This condition can cause pain in your fingers, hands, as well as numbness and tingling. While it is possible for you to treat the condition yourself, it can be months before it gets any better.

Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

  • Numb hands
  • Difficulty gripping things or a weak thumb
  • Numb hands
  • Pain or an ache in your hand, fingers, or arm

Over time, these symptoms can appear ever so slowly. The symptoms can disappear and return unexpectedly. In addition to this,

How to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

You can treat carpal tunnel syndrome at home. Wearing a wrist splint can help to relieve the pressure on your nerve. Wearing the splint while can help as it ensures you’re less likely to damage your wrist while you rest. You’ll need to wear the splint for at least one month.

You might also want to consider taking painkillers that you can buy over the counter. However, there is no evidence to suggest that these painkillers treat carpal tunnel syndrome. They can help with the pain temporarily, but they are not a solution.

If your carpal tunnel syndrome is particularly bad, you might need to see an orthopaedic surgeon. Surgery can potentially cure this condition. During the procedure, a small cut will be made in your hand. The surgeon will then cut the carpal tunnel so that no pressure is put on the nerve. You should expect to wait one month before you can use your wrist again.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by your wrist’s carpal tunnel swelling and squeezing the median nerve. This can cause a lot of pain along with a range of other symptoms.

You’re likely to be more at risk of this condition if you are:

  • Overweight
  • Pregnant
  • Related to someone who has carpal tunnel syndrome such as a parent or sibling
  • Someone who has injured their wrist in the past
  • Suffering from arthritis or diabetes
  • Work or enjoy hobbies that mean you grip hard or bend your wrist repeatedly
  • Work or enjoy hobbies that mean you use vibrating tools

If you identify any of the above factors, there’s a real chance that you could develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Doing what you can to avoid this could be helpful. Wearing a splint can be one of the most helpful things that you can do.

If you think you might be suffering from this condition, please speak to your doctor. They might ask you to wear a splint and monitor your condition. If you see no improvement in the condition or it gets worse, you might need surgery. However, you should always do what you can to avoid this option.