Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand. When the median nerve is compressed, symptoms can include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and arm.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Common symptoms that you will see in such a patient are numbness or a tingling feeling in the thumb, index, middle, or ring finger. You can also feel pain back through your arm to your shoulder. Depending on the extent of your nerve irritation you can feel that discomfort ranging from mild to severe. Often people would feel these symptoms at the night, either in one hand or in both hands. If not treated on time, you might feel a permanent weakness or numbness in that area of the hand.
The symptoms usually starts gradually and cause discomfort in your wrist and the palm of your hand.
- Pins and needles sensation
- Hand clumsiness and a tendency to drop things
- Hand pain at night
- Pain with the use of hand
- Weakness in the hand and wrist
READ ALSO: LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN
Self-Care Tips for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients
- Place an ice pack on the wrist to relieve symptoms
- Place the hand in warm water and flex it gently
- Take frequent breaks and rest your hand if your work requires continuous/repetitive use
- Place an ice pack on the wrist to relieve symptoms
- Place the hand in warm water and flex it gently
- Take frequent breaks and rest your hand if your work requires continuous/repetitive use
Who Should see a doctor?
Patients of carpal tunnel syndrome who do not show any improvements for about 6 weeks even after giving a non-operative treatment.
Patients who have constant numbness or atrophy of a thumb muscle will also be evaluated for surgery. It may include complications of surgery such as infection, development of a painful scar or injury to your median nerve.
