Be Alert for These Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
If you consistently perform activities involving repetitive motion of your hands and wrists, you could be at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where the median nerve in the wrist and hand become compressed. This compression can cause the following symptoms.
Numbness or Tingling -Numbness or tingling in your fingers or hand. The numbness or tingling most often affect your index, middle, or ring finger and your thumb. The little finger is not affected. These feeling can occur when you first awake or whenever you are holding something with your hand. Progression of carpal tunnel can cause the numbness and tingling to become constant.
Pain - Pain may occur in your wrist and radiate down into your hand or go up towards your shoulder. The pain is usually on the palm side of your forearm. With carpal tunnel, pain is common after repetitive use or forceful use.
Weakness - Weakness in your hands may also occur as the condition worsens. You may also develop a tendency to drop items. Repetitive movements and forceful movements are contributing factors to carpal tunnel.
Look for ways to maintain balance, strength, and the ability to stretch the muscles of your hand, wrist and forearm to help prevent the progression of this condition. See your doctor if you have symptoms of carpal tunnel that don’t go away. There are treatments and medications that can help relieve these symptoms. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome may cause muscle and nerve damage.
