What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the median nerve, a nerve that’s located on the palm of your hand that provides sensation. As the key nerve that give impulse to your muscles in your thumb and fingers, when the nerve is compressed, the muscles around the nerve swell, leading to numbness, weakness, and tingling on the side of your hand.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is inflammation of the blood flow from your wrist to the median nerve. The excess pressure can be the result of multiple conditions, including:

• Diabetes
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Fractures/Trauma to the wrist
• Thyroid Dysfunction
• Fluid Retention
• High Blood Pressure

Repeated motions, such as using a keyboard or mouse, hand tools, and playing piano, can cause the syndrome to become worse if overextended. These repeated motions can overtime damage the muscles and nerves in the hands, as well as affect other parts of the body. If you cannot avoid doing these repetitive motions throughout your job, try stretching out your muscles to avoid tension and drink plenty of water.

Am I At Risk For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

If you have a career that involves repetitive motions, such as construction, manufacturing, keyboard operation, and assembly line work, can also induce carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have high blood pressure, arthritis, or diabetes, the risks of getting carpal tunnel syndrome are higher.

What Should I Look For When It Comes To Symptoms?

Symptoms, such as numbness, pain and burning up the arm, wrist pain, and weakness in the muscles, are all conditions to look for if you believe you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. Depending on how severe the symptoms appear, the inflammation can get worse. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor about it.

How do Doctors Diagnose and Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Doctors tend to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome by having you go through a physical examination. The physical examination will narrow down any of the symptoms you experience, and if your doctor suspects that you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, then they’ll also conduct nerve conduction studies., which measure the speed of your nerve impulses. If your nerves are slower than normal, then you most likely have carpal tunnel syndrome. As for treatment, your doctor will suggest that you do not overextend your wrist, may suggest getting a wrist splint if severe, and also help you through pain medications and steroid injections to reduce inflammation and stop the pain.

If you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, then contact Dr. Diana Wilson at Neurosurgeon and Spine Forth Worth. Located in Forth Worth, TX, Dr. Wilson will be able to help treat any symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome as well as any other neurological disorders that you may experience. With doctors that listen and understand, you’ll be able to help manage your pain easily. Call their phone number and schedule an appointment today.