Have you been trying to ignore a tingling feeling in your hands or wrist? Have you had an unexplainable numbness in your hands the last couple of weeks? It’s possible that it could be carpal tunnel syndrome and in this article will review who and what carpal tunnel affects, how the symptoms and pain will progress and most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Who does Carpel Tunnel Syndrome affect and what causes it?
Carpal tunnel syndrome usually affects individuals that are between 40 and 65 year old and it is a very common injury treated by physicians. There is a fairly low to moderate risk that you may encounter carpal tunnel syndrome, especially if you commonly work with your hands. For example, if you have desk job and you work at a computer all day, constantly using your hands and fingers to type on the keyboard.
This overuse can cause for a compression of a key nerve in the wrist causing the pain, but there are many ways Carpal tunnel can be caused including:
- Congenital narrow of carpal tunnel
- Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy and menopause)
- Diabetes
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Kidney damage
- Inflammation
- Fractures of the hand or wrist
Progression of Symptoms and Pain
Symptoms of the disease usually develop slowly; it starts with passing tingling in the fingers, usually at night or early in the morning after sleep, only to be later expanded to a full day. In addition to numbness or tingling fingers and the whole hand, it may develop swelling of thumb or even swelling of all fingers, which may or may not be accompanied by pain. Later, muscle weakness is developed and you will feeling weakening of hand grip, which patients often notice only when they begin drop objects from their hands and usually cup of coffee, which they drink in the morning. In later stages, complete inability to do a hand grip may occur.
Most Common Reason Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Occurs
There can be many reasons carpal tunnel syndrome occurs, but the most common cause is certainly overload, caused by jobs and sports activities that require persistent and rigorous use of the hands, such as cleaning, typing, masons, weight lifting, massage therapists and physical therapists to name a few. Essentially, any activity that you are constantly using your hands or fingers over a long period of time can cause pain.
If you believe you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, you should make an appointment with an orthopedic physician today as a proper diagnosis is critical for the treatment of the injury. Visit IBJI Physicians page to find a specialist close to you.
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