Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects the carpal tunnel region of a person’s hand. This "tunnel" consists of bone, tendons, tissue, and many nerves, all of which work together to provide the hand, arm, fingers, and wrist with unrestricted movement. But, if inflammation within the tunnel causes swelling, the pressure will cause a number of symptoms, including hand pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and much more. The cause of the carpal tunnel swelling can vary, but it is often a sign of other health conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, or repetitive, unnatural movements in the wrist or hands.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome typically impacts women more than it does men. In fact, women are three times more likely to suffer from it. Although anyone can fall victim to the symptoms, those who type for long periods of time or spend a lot of time working with their hands are more prone to developing the disorder. Although the symptoms can be temporary and the syndrome can fade away on it's own, people often suffer from symptoms for years due to the repetitive stress on their joints. In these cases, the condition can persist for a long time and the symptoms will worsen with time. Here are eight of the most common signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
1. Hand Pain
Pain in the hand is probably one of the most common signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; however, pain in this area can also be a symptom of arthritis, so it is important to be able to distinguish the difference between the two disorders. Pain from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome often extends all the way to your forearm and is often triggered by repetitive motions or holding your hand in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time, such as holding a phone while driving. Using hand splints, medications, or injections can typically treat this pain. In some cases, however, surgery may be required.
