Are you wondering if you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Heres some info... CTS is caused by pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Using your hands & wrists repeatedly in the same way may cause you to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. A fracture or other injury could put pressure on the nerve which may cause inflammation & swelling. Pressure may also be caused by inflammation & swelling associated with arthritis, diabetes and hypothyroidism. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also occur during pregnancy but usually disappears following delivery. Some symptoms of CTS include: 1) pain, numbness or tingling in your hand or wrist, especially in the thumb & index & middle fingers 2) increased pain with the use of your hand 3) increased pain at night 4) weak grip & tendency to drop objects held in the hand and 5) muscle deterioration. Once your doctor reviews your symptoms & examines you, he or she may also arrange to test the response of your nerves & muscles to electrical stimulation. If you are diagnosed with CTS, treatment will focus on relieving irritation & pressure on the nerve in your wrist. This may include restricting use of your hand and/or wearing a wrist splint during sleep & physical activities involving the wrist. Your doctor may also prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen. He or she may recommend an injection of a cortisone-like medicine into the carpal tunnel area. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. Along with your doctor’s recommendations, you could also try the following: · Elevate your arm with pillows while laying down. · Avoid activities that overuse the hand. · Avoid bending your wrists down for long periods. You can prevent CTS by: **making sure that your hand & wrists are comfortable when you are doing repetitive work, ** taking regular breaks from the repetitive motion and **avoiding resting your wrists on hard surfaces for prolonged periods.
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 14:51:50 +0000
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