Do you wake up at night, with numbing fingers and hands? Do have
pain shooting up the arms with a cramping sensation? If this is the
case, you are exhibiting carpal tunnel symptoms.
Carpal
tunnel symptoms appear differently in each person. Some might
experience the pain at night sleeping while other experience pain when
working with their hands. Not only people that work with computers or
typing can acquire this condition but also, people that do a lot of
dexterity work with their hands are at high risk for this condition.
The
carpal tunnel itself is a small passageway from the arm to the bottom
of the wrist. The nerve and tendons within the passage cause the hand to
flex and bend. Nerves and tendons within the passage become compressed
causing motor skills to weaken, and pain to the fingers and hand.
Carpal
tunnel symptoms other than numbing finger and hands, could be cramping
up the arm, pain in fingers or arm, a feeling of swollenness in the hand
or fingers, a person's grip weakens, and sense of warm or coldness can
go away.
Middle aged men are likely to get the condition, however women are 3
times more likely to develop this condition. Women going through
menopause can have a high risk of getting carpal tunnel.
Heredity
could be another cause of getting this type of condition. If close
family member such as mom, dad, and grandparents had or have the
condition, the chances are likely next generation will have the same
condition.
Certain health conditions can cause carpal tunnel
symptoms. Thyroid disorders, diabetes, obesity and some types of
arthritis will increase risk for this condition. People who smoke will
have a higher risk factor with this condition than people who do not
smoke. People who smoke will take a longer time to heal than non-smokers
would take to heal.
With this condition, a person can apply heat
to the wrist to help with pain, cool packs for swelling. Keep the arm,
hand, and wrist immobile. A wrist splint can help this condition. A
person would be able to still use the arm and hand with some mobility of
the wrist. The splint will help keep the wrist straight, also helping
the passage to open.
A person that has carpal tunnel symptoms
should first check with a doctor to make sure a person has this
condition. Other diseases and conditions can cause a person to have
these types of symptoms. Once a person checks with their doctor and is
diagnosed with the condition, the doctor and person can talk over the
different therapies to use.
Carpal tunnel is a condition a person
can live with and continue working. In some cases, a person might have
to seek other employment, as this is only in certain cases. Taking care
of a person's hands and wrist is important. Always give your hands and
wrist a break.
