Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Who Are at Risk?

A hand and wrist condition that occurs when the median nerve is compressed is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Some of the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include but are not limited to pain, numbness, and weakness.

In some cases, the symptoms may also radiate to the arm affected.

Depending on the severity, treatment options available may vary.

Likely treatment approaches can include noninvasive options to carpal tunnel syndrome surgery.

Causes

While several causes have been identified, below are some of the key culprits:

• Irritated flexor tendons
• Wrist movements that are repetitive
• Other medical conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, pregnancy, and rheumatoid arthritis

Risk Factors

Some of the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Sex

The condition is observed to be more common in women than in men.

Inflammatory Conditions

Diseases that are characterized by inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis may sometimes affect the wrist tendons and put pressure on the median nerve.

Other medical conditions

Disorders like obesity, kidney failure, menopause, obesity, and other medical conditions have also been associate with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Nerve-damaging diseases

Conditions like diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage that may also affect the median nerve.

Workplace factors

Work or hobbies that entail repetitive or prolonged flexing of the wrist may cause pressure on the median nerve.

Essentially, carpal tunnel syndrome is often considered a work-related condition.

Individuals who are prone to developing the condition are those involved in work that requires the following:

• Hand movements that are repetitive and forceful
• Hand-arm vibration
• Hand positions that are awkward and that lasts for long periods

Symptoms

While mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome often only affect the hand, in some cases, it can also affect the forearm.

In some cases, it will sometimes spread to the shoulder.

Mild cases of the condition may manifest some of the following symptoms:

• Occasional tingling
• Pain
• “Pins-and-needles” sensation
• Numbness or pain in the hand, forearm, or wrist
• Pain and numbness when the wrist is flexed
• Pain and numbness when gripping an object
• Finger stiffness (often especially noticeable in the mornings)
• Numbness and pain that escalates when the affected hand is used

In moderate to severe cases, reduced strength and grip as well as numbness in the fingers, thumb, or hand manifest.

Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome may also find doing the following challenging:

• Performing basic hand movements like combing the hair or holding a spoon. Patients will also have the tendency to drop objects accidentally.
• Using the thumb for simple tasks like opening a jar or using a screwdriver. In the case of long-term carpal tunnel syndrome, atrophy of the muscles of the thumb may occur.
• Pinching an object between the thumb and the first finger. This is referred to as pinch strength loss.

Symptoms of the condition are often observed in the parts of the hand that are supplied by the media nerve like middle finger, thumb, half of the ring finger, and the index finger.

While unknown to many, the median nerve will not affect the little finger.

That means in cases where symptoms affect the little finger, it would be safe to assume it is not carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment

Medical attention is required if the following symptoms are present:

• Pain, numbness, tingling sensation, and weakness that remains after 2 weeks.
• When performing even basic hand movements becomes challenging.
• When there’s noticeably little or no feelings in the fingers or hand.
• When pinching the thumb and the finger together is no longer feasible.
• When diminished thumb strength is observed.

In most cases, mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome will respond to homecare remedies.

However, if the abovementioned alarming symptoms will become evident, getting in touch with a medical professional is recommended as you might be a likely candidate for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery.

If  you notice telltale indicators of carpal tunnel syndrome, visit www.bjios.sg for expert management of the condition.

source http://allurewellness.net/2017/01/31/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-who-are-at-risk/