subject: Tingling Fingers And Shooting Pains - Do You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? [print this page] Carpal tunnel syndrome is a pain in the hands and wrists caused by an injury to the median nerve, which runs along the "carpal tunnel."
This is a major nerve freeway connecting your hand and fingers to your arm. When this area gets swollen or fractured, the result is serious pain in the hands, and an inability to move like you need to.
Pain is a symptom of this condition, but there are other signs as well. The most common symptom of this hand injury is numbness in the hands and fingers.
You might wake up with this numbness, and think naturally that you must have been lying awkwardly and put your hands to sleep. The fact is that it's nerve trouble that's causing the numbness.
Other symptoms include numbness during the waking hours, a cold feeling in the fingers, tingling, sharp shooting pains and trouble moving your hands in a natural way. If you suffer any combination of these symptoms, it's likely that you've got this problem.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Most people think this disorder is caused by repetitive motion, but often it is caused by other factors as well. For one, there is a genetic tendency to develop this syndrome. Some people just have naturally narrower wrists, and this can make you more likely to develop it. Women are much more likely than men to develop it as well.
Another major cause is injury. Any type of injury to the wrist can lead to the condition. Fractures and sprains are the most common causes, but any injury that causes swelling can lead to this hand injury.
Finally, job stress is often a major factor. In general, repetitive motions are a major risk. There is little evidence to suggest which kinds of work put you most at risk, but it's been noted that assembly line and factory work are major candidates.
Office work, such as typing or repetitive stamping, are actually less likely than assembly line or factory work to lead to the condition.
What You Can Do About It
The best thing to do is to relieve pressure from your wrist. You can do this by setting your hand in a splint. Refrain from using your hands and wrists as much as possible. Whenever possible, dangle your arms and wrists when you are sitting in a chair or lying in bed.
When this syndrome strikes you, it's always best to talk to a doctor. Treating it yourself may work, and you're body will heal itself in a matter of days. But, it's always good to get a professional opinion and make sure it heals the right way.
