If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to weakness and lack of coordination in your fingers and thumb. Treatment can relieve pressure on the nerve and, for most people, eliminate their symptoms. The carpal tunnel is a small passageway on the palm side of your wrist.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a compressed nerve in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. The anatomy of your wrist, health problems and possibly repetitive hand motions can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Numbness may take longer to be relieved, even up to three months. Surgery won't help if carpal tunnel syndrome is the wrong diagnosis. When the carpal tunnel syndrome has become severe, relief may not be complete. There may be some pain in the palm around the incisions that can last up to a few months.
Warning Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
. Numbness, tingling or pain, especially on the thumb side of the hand.
. A false feeling of being shocked, especially affecting the thumb and nearby fingers.
. Pain that radiates toward the shoulder.
. In severe cases, muscles at the base of the thumb become noticeably distorted
Call your doctor if you: Have tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in your fingers or hand that keeps coming back or that has not gone away after 2 weeks of home treatment. Have gradually developed little or no feeling in your fingers or hand. Cannot do simple hand movements, or you accidentally drop things.
The most common cause of this inflammation is an underlying medical condition that causes swelling in the wrist, and sometimes obstructed blood flow. Some of the most frequent conditions linked with carpal tunnel syndrome are: diabetes. thyroid dysfunction
Advanced cases can be treated very effectively with surgery. Home care for carpal tunnel syndrome is straightforward and can often provide relief for mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. ... Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) may provide some relief but are unlikely to cure carpal tunnel syndrome.
To help ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, you may want to put ice on your wrist or soak it in an ice bath. Try it for 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice an hour. You can also gently shake your wrist or hang it over the side of your bed for pain that wakes you up at night.
However, jobs with frequent repetitive motions can also cause or contribute to the condition. Frequent use of a computer mouse and keyboard is commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Jobs that fit this description may include:
. Assembly line worker.
. Cashier.
. Musician.
. Barber or hair stylist.
If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to weakness and lack of coordination in your fingers and thumb. Treatment can relieve pressure on the nerve and, for most people, eliminate their symptoms. The carpal tunnel is a small passageway on the palm side of your wrist.