What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

                                      

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a localized peripheral neuropathy that affects the hands.
At the base of the hand is a narrow place between bones and ligament where the median nerve and tendons are found. This area is called the carpal tunnel. When the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed, squeezed or inflamed at the wrist, the result may be numbness, pain and weakness in the hand and wrist, frequently reaching up along the arm.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may increase gradually. Signs of CTS usually are first noticed at night. Common symptoms include burning, tingling or numbness in the palm of the hand and along the fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle finger. These feelings may intensify to the point where it becomes difficult to hold small objects or to make a fist. The pain associated with this condition can range from mild-to-severe.
                                            
Carpal tunnel syndrome is typically the result of increased pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than problem with the nerve itself. This pressure may be a result of arthritis, thyroid disease, trauma or injury to the wrist. CTS usually occurs in adults between 40 and 60 years of age, and is more common in women than men. In women, CTS may be caused by fluid retention due to pregnancy or menopause. Sometimes the exact cause of CTS cannot be identified.
                                              
CTS sometimes may be caused by work-related, repetitive activities that involve forceful or awkward movements of the wrist or fingers. However, a Mayo Clinic study (published in the June 2001 journal of Neurology), found that significant computer use (defined as an average of six hours per day) does not increase the risk of developing CTS.

Symptoms & Signs

                                         

(Not all carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and signs may be present.)
In hand and fingers:
  • Numbness
  • Loss of movement
  • Swelling
  • Prickling
  • Mild-to-severe pain (may experience pain at night)
  • Decreased sensation
  • Decreased strength
Other symptoms may include:
  • Tendency to drop things
  • Difficulty manipulating small objects

Evaluation & Tests

(Not all evaluation and tests may be necessary.)

Treatment & Therapy

(Not all treatments and therapies may be indicated.)
Treatment focuses on identifying and removing or correcting the underlying cause of the nerve dysfunction.
Treatment options include:
  • Vocational or occupational counseling
  • Wrist splint
  • Over-the-counter pain medications (For severe pain, take over-the-counter pain medications and/or prescription drugs used for peripheral neuropathy, on a regular basis—rather than waiting until nighttime when symptoms can become more severe.)
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery
  • Physical therapy to improve strength in the hand
  • Take safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Causes and Risk Factors                                           There is no singular cause of  generalized anxiety disorder  that has been identified. Evidence has shown that multiple factors are usually at play, influencing the development of GAD. Some of the common factors include things like genetic predisposition, brain chemistry, family background, social influence, and life experiences.                                Brain Structure The limbic system is a collection of brain structures that, among other functions, is involved in the regulation of many of our basic emotional reactions. Although it is generally under the control of the "thinking" part of our brain, it can respond to stimuli on its own as well. Genetics...
Read more

Dandruff? There Are 5 Types, So You Might Just Be Treating It Wrong!

Image
Dandruff? There Are 5 Types, So You Might Just Be Treating It Wrong!                                                                It starts slowly. Your black clothes are the first to be banished. Then comes the embarrassment. The awkward dance of your hands with your hair – tucking it behind your ears, rolling it up in a bun, spreading it out strategically to conceal those pesky white flakes that lay beneath. Dandruff. And there are several types of dandruff. Read on. Diagnose Your Dandruff “Eczema, dryness of scalp, infrequent shampooing and a yeast-like fungus are all common causes of the itchiness and dry flakes that define dandruff. To treat this unfortunate condition, it’s best to identify the type of dandruff that may be getting you down,” explains Dr Gray. 1)Dry-skin related dandruff Dandruff caus...
Read more