Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Painful Condition

Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by symptoms of wrist and hand pain that is often shooting and sharp

. It is the result of a nerve being pinched somewhere in the wrist. Numbness and tingling symptoms can even be felt all the way up to the neck and shoulders. You can even experience a sense of weakness in your wrists and hands if you have carpal tunnel. If you think you have any of the symptoms of carpal tunnel you should see your doctor or physical therapist as soon as possible, because there are ways to prevent from having surgery.

Carpal tunnel is caused by the compression of the nerves in the wrist over a long period of time. People who use computers or type a lot might become susceptible to the syndrome. Gymnasts, bowlers, and other types of athletes can also be susceptible to carpal tunnel, because of how often they use their wrist and hand when they compete. Certain types of trauma to the wrist can also cause these symptoms; if you've fractured or sprained your wrist you can be more susceptible to carpal tunnel. Repetitious movements are not to be considered a cause of carpal tunnel, because there isn't a lot of evidence supporting that theory.

Some people are just more likely to get carpal tunnel than others. Two people can have the same amount of pressure put on their wrists and hands, and one person can experience the symptoms of carpal tunnel while the other is fine. It is proven that women are more likely to experience the symptoms of carpal tunnel than men. While it has yet to be proven that repetitious movement at the workplace is a cause for carpal tunnel, employees of certain corporations and businesses can receive time off and compensation if they have to have surgery for carpal tunnel, depending on their profession.

Other diseases can be a factor in symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, women who are pregnant are more likely to experience symptoms of CTS, because of fluid and water retention that occurs during that period. Any other kind of disorder that causes fluid retention can also cause symptoms of CTS. Physical diagnosis can be done by your physician or physical therapist. The will test your hands, arms, and even neck to make sure that your pain is stemming from the wrist and isn't because of another medical disorder.

There are a number of different methods to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, and some are more controversial than others. Acupuncture and chiropractic methods have said to be useful in treating the symptoms of CTS, but some argue that these alternative methods are not effective. Some people prefer to use prescription drugs to treat the symptoms of CTS. The drugs make it so that patients don't retain as much fluid, and they make the swelling go down. If the symptoms of CTS are severe enough and they persist for more than six months, it is not uncommon to undergo surgery.

Sources: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome

by: Cory Ross

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