Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Explained

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Lots of individuals suffer from carpal tunnel pain. This is a symptom of a condition called the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which is caused by the compression of the median nerve in the wrist resulting in severe numbness of the hand. The passageway between the transverse carpal ligament and the carpal (wrist) bones form the carpal tunnel. This canal is used as a route for the median nerve and nine flexor tendons of the thumb and fingers.

The carpal tunnel or canal is a narrow passage and when one of the nine flexor tendons becomes inflamed or swells, it results in the compression of the median nerve that is also present in the narrow canal. This compression causes the symptom that leads to the development of the condition called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Most of the affected individuals do not know the main cause of their carpal tunnel pain. Some studies indicate that the risk factors are primarily genetic. Some also consider this condition as caused by continuous repetitive motion that is referred to as Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). People who have jobs that involve the use of vibrating tools or machineries, typing and typewriting jobs, or those who use the computer keyboard for long hours at a time are at high risk of developing carpal tunnel pain. Although some studies have found a connection between some activites and carpal tunnel pain, the exact cause of the carpal tunnel pain is not known.

The initial symptom of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the feeling of numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the fourth fingers. And then there there will be the tingling of the hand, wrist pain and feeling of ?pins and needles? at night. When the condition becomes worse, the affected individual will start to feel a burning sensation in the affected area. There is also cramping and weakness of the hand and sharp shooting pains in the forearm.

Any underlying condition will affect the treatment that a person experiencing carpal tunnel pain will be given. There are ways to combat the carpal tunnel pain. They include proper rest, modifying the activity that the affected person is involved in, the use of wrist wrist brace especially at night, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, periodic resting and range of motion exercises for the wrist/hand. Carpal tunnel is reversible when caught in its early stage. If there is an underlying condition, the treatment will be targeted towards managing this condition.

Medications such as Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and anti-inflammatory drugs are used for carpal tunnel pain relief. If the condition persists, a cortison injection into the carpal tunnel is given to combat the inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are used to decrease inflammation and relief carpal tunnel pain.

Chronic pressure on the median nerve which causes persistent numbness and hand weakness, may cause permanent damage. Surgery is considered for cases where carpal tunnel pain has become a chronic problem and serious nerve and muscle damage may occur.

Want to find out more about treating carpal tunnel pain, then visit Verna Yvanoff?s site on how to choose the best carpal tunnel treatment for your needs.. Also published at Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Explained.

Source: http://www.simplearticles.net/medicine-health/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-explained/

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