Are you having numbness and tingling sensation in your hands, particularly in the thumb, forefinger, middle finger and a part of your fourth finger? Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment should not be delayed. Are these symptoms getting worst during night and often cause discomfort when you sleep? Never ignore them! You might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an injury in the median nerve that is responsible for sensory and motor function of the four fingers mentioned above. It is named as such in accordance with the anatomical structures involved in the injury which is the carpal tunnel, a space between the wrist bones and a fibrous band over it, by which the median nerve passes through. The signs and symptoms are dependent on the severity of the nerve injury while carpal tunnel syndrome treatment is dependent on its cause.
In general, carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by consistent pressure on the median nerve. This occurs when the surrounding wrist tissues are swelling or repositioned which compresses the nerve. Its real cause is idiopathic (unknown). However, there are some factors that increase an individual’s risk of contracting such injury. One of the factors pointed out by experts is repetitive work that mostly involves the wrist such as long-hours of continuous typing. Hence, audio transcriptionists, website designers, call center agents and people whose works are related to constant use of computer are generally affected by the disease. Conditions like pregnancy, arthritis, and diabetes frequently cause wrist swelling and may also risk a person to carpal tunnel syndrome. Obese individuals are also predisposed to the disease due to increase amount of fat tissues around the wrist.
When to seek carpal tunnel syndrome treatment
Often times, people seek for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment once the manifestations are already altering activities of daily living but they have the tendency to ignore mild symptoms too. When carpal tunnel syndrome worsens, the symptoms are not confined with tingling sensation and numbness at night. It may become as worst as completely losing sensation in the affected fingers and even becoming incapable of gripping objects. Typically, people suffering from severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome are observed to suddenly drop objects that they are holding. They may also experience sharp shooting pains in the forearm of the affected extremity. Worst of all, hand muscle wasting or atrophy may result due to lack or absence of activities of the affected hand secondary to loss of sensation.
The carpal tunnel syndrome treatment is often dependent on the disease symptoms and its cause. If the manifestations are still mild, preliminary treatment would include rest, use of splint to immobilize the affected wrist and cold/ice application. Those people whose median nerve injury is work-related are often encouraged to do periodic exercise and rest to relieve the hand from constant pressure. Moreover, obesity-induced carpal tunnel syndrome is resolved through weight reduction; while nerve compression from wrist edema due to pregnancy is just temporary and will disappear after delivery of the infant. However, diabetes and arthritis are treated according to their nature to reduce wrist swelling.
Aside from the conservative measures, there are medications identified as carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 is often given as nerve function enhancer, while the pain and swelling are addressed by administering NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) and corticosteroids. Carpal tunnel release, a surgical procedure of loosening or removing the band of tissues around the wrist, is also possible as carpal tunnel syndrome treatment but is rarely done. However, carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented. Therefore, indulge in practices to avoid it instead of thinking on how to treat it.