Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms – Could You Be a Sufferer?

Alarmingly enough, carpal tunnel syndrome is nowadays so prevalent, that health officials consider it to be a pandemic. Unfortunately, there are literally millions of people affected by this noticeably painful condition, even though many sufferers don’t even realize it. Furthermore, many people don’t believe it’s necessary to go and see a doctor once they become aware of the symptoms, and this of course only causes the condition to become even worse. Strangely enough, even though people are nowadays better informed regarding the condition, there remain a vast number of people who are still unfamiliar with regards to the symptoms, causes and treatments.

Irrespective of whether or not you have heard about carpal tunnel syndrome and the symptoms of the condition, you may still not be fully aware as to whether or not you have the disease, and for this reason you need to make an effort to familiarize yourself with the symptoms. Furthermore, depending on your position at work, you may also want to consider learning how the condition can affect employees, and also what can be done about it.

Essentially, carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of repetitive actions which have led to an imbalance within the wrist bones. When we use our fingers and wrist muscles excessively, an imbalance often occurs which causes bones to shift, and this in turn results on excessive pressure being applied to the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel. The biggest culprits are typing, gripping, and squeezing, although other repetitive hand, wrist, and finger movements can also cause the condition.

The more the nerve gets compressed in the tunnel, the more carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms begin to occur, with many people experiencing pins and needles in their hands as well as in their wrists. This is often followed by numbness, or a tingling sensation which is often accompanied by pain. In fact, if the disease is left unchecked and allowed to develop into an advanced stage, it is possible to lose coordination, as well as the strength in your hands.

Over and above the symptoms just mentioned, sufferers will also often experience stiffness and noticeable discomfort when doing certain tasks, which otherwise would not have been a problem. It is also worth noting that the pain is not always restricted to the hands and wrists, in that it can spread up into the forearms, elbows, and even the shoulders.

The good news however is that it is possible to eradicate the symptoms altogether providing the right treatment is provided. In fact, relief can often be had simply by doing the appropriate hand and wrist exercises, although you should bear in mind that such exercises are not the only treatment available. Instead, you may want to consider purchasing a wrist splint designed specifically for those who are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore, while exercises and/or a splint can offer a great deal of relief, you need to realize that there are also other treatment options out there which can help to get rid of the problem.

Tom Nicholson has spent years caring for carpal tunnel sufferers. You can click here to see how he cures carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.