Did you know that one in every one hundred people is affected by what is known as carpal tunnel syndrome at some point in their life? While commonly found in women in the thirty to fifty-year age range, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect nearly anyone, from assembly line workers, to surgeons and dentists, to secretaries and computer data entry personnel, to even those who play musical instruments or video games.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very painful and progressive condition that occurs in the wrist, caused by compression to the median nerve. The median nerve runs into the hand starting from the forearm, and when it is squeezed or pressed at the wrist, the message carrying and receiving from the brain is inhibited.
The name carpal tunnel syndrome, however, comes from the eight bones in our wrists that are known as carpals. They form a tunnel-like structure, hence the term "carpal tunnel syndrome." Compression of the tunnel walls is the most basic of causes of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other factors, such as congential predispostion and even trauma based injury can also be to blame. Carpal tunnel syndrome can develop quickly, especially if the wrist has been fractured or injured or rheumatoid arthritis has set in. In many cases, repetitve stress induced carpal tunnel strain can cause the syndrome, especially in those who spend a great deal of time typing.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel can include tingling, numbness, and burning in the fingers, as well as the inability to make a fist or grip things. A person eventually loses the ability to squeeze things and may even find it hard to tie their shoes. In the most extreme cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, the patients are unable to determine hot or cold by touch.
Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is available. Most physicians will advise against repetitive and exhaustive activities related to hand movement. Stretching exercises and medicines like corticosteroids can help in relieving the syndrome. However, if the condition worsens, surgery may be the only available course of treatment.
If you feel as though you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, you should consult your physician immediately to discuss symptoms and treatment options.
Amanda Baker writes for http://tobeinformed.com - A website for health, fitness and wellness information.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- The Carpal Tunnel Different Kinds of Symptoms
- Using the Carpal Tunnel as a Treatment
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In Grocery Clerks
- CURING CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
- CURE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
- CURE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
- Could I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Genital Warts in Men: Definition, Misconception, and Treatments
By: Steven Magill | 11/12/2009Genital warts are a highly contagious sexually transmitted diseased which are also known as "veneral warts." Caused by a form of human papillomavirus or HPV, there are some cases, if left untreated, of HPV strains that may lead to cancer.
Slim Acai and How it Effects You
By: Mrs Forex | 11/12/2009This is the best advice for you to eventually keep your weight off and safely without any risk of poisoning your body in the future. Are you shocked to read the word poison? Yes, hundreds of weight loss additions have some drugs that are mixed in the formulation as a way of speeding up the weight loss. There are numerous types of drugs that when taken in nominal amounts do not always come up during a drug test but if you take it for a substantial period of time, you would shortly no...
Paraben Dangers
By: Amanda Stone | 11/12/2009For many years parabens were considered safe, but today many experts recommend avoiding products that contain this artificial preservative. The skin is permeable, and can absorb the ingredients of the products applied to it.
What To Look For If You
By: Greg Prather | 11/12/2009How would you like the sound of relaxing in a nice relaxing and invigorating sauna where you can soak up the warmth? Otherwise you may possibly interested to know more about how it may improve your health. How would you like the sound of relaxing in a nice relaxing and invigorating sauna where you can soak up the warmth? Otherwise you may possibly interested to know more about how it may improve your health.
Fibroids Treatment - What Are the Alternatives?
By: Jorge Chavez | 11/12/2009Who gets fibroids? Women in their 30s, 40s and 50s mostly. Most women probably have uterine fibroids but don't know it because they have no symptoms. If symptoms develop and get bothersome, here are the fibroids treatment alternatives that are available...
Dont be Ashamed Anymore- Download the Guide to Your Eczema Cure!
By: Mrs Forex | 11/12/2009It's undoubtedly longer than the 7 year itch. For most eczema sufferers, the itching that signals an episode of eczema has gone off and on for years and years already. This type of a skin disorder sometimes starts in the early years - from newborn to about 5 years, and goes on for life. Eczema, or atopic rash, is a sort of skin irritation that starts with an itch and then the more that you scratch it, the more it develops into a rash or crusts into scaly skin. Therefore, doctors of...
How to Lose Stomach Fat
By: Jamess Bogdan | 11/12/2009Body fat accumulating around the stomach is caused by poor eating habits. In other words, consuming too many refined (processed) carbohydrates. Refined
BODYBUILDING ARTICLES.Effective fat burning
By: Robert McClure | 11/12/2009Effective Fat Burning And Muscle Building Workout Most people who want to burn off some excess pounds and tighten and tone their bodies simply don’t have 2 hours each day to spend in the gym performing the bodybuilding style workouts that most “fitness experts” recommend. Look at this website, there are thousands of Articles on almost all subjects, plus more links for your help. http://www.toparticlereviews.com
Coping with Asthma
By: Amanda Baker | 28/01/2006 | HealthAsthma suffers affected by cold air should wear a scarf over the mouth and nose in winter, and should wash their hands often and get a flu shot to prevent colds and the flu.
Manifestations of Arthritis
By: Amanda Baker | 27/01/2006 | HealthRheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis that plagues sufferers.
What is Acid Reflux?
By: Amanda Baker | 27/01/2006 | HealthWhen the valve found at the lower end of the esophagus is dysfunctional, it allows the acidic content of the stomach to be regurgitated.
Are Asthma and Allergies Related?
By: Amanda Baker | 27/01/2006 | HealthThe most common allergy that appears to have a direct influence on asthma is an allergy to dust mites.
CVD - Cardiovascular Disease in Women
By: Amanda Baker | 27/01/2006 | HealthThe hard truth is that one in four women are affected with some form of cardiovascular disease.
The Basics on Diabetes
By: Amanda Baker | 26/01/2006 | HealthUsing a hormone known as insulin, made in the pancreas, cells process glucose into energy.
Keeping Your Dog Healthy
By: Amanda Baker | 23/12/2005 | PetsKeeping your dog's skin, coat, teeth, gums, and nails healthy make your dog look its very best, and does wonders for the dog's mental and physical health.