Do you have any of the following symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Pain, tingling or numbness in your fingers
- Tingling or numbness in your hand
- Pain that travels from your hands up your arm (as far as your shoulder) or from your arm downward
- Swelling or tightness in your hands or wrists
Have you ever noticed that the following carpal tunnel symptoms seem to increase at night or when you first wake up in the morning?
- Do your hands or lower arms feel weak in the morning?
- Is it more difficult to grasp objects or you drop them more than you used to?
- Are tasks that require hand strength, like opening jars or using hand tools, harder for you now?
If so, you may be experiencing carpal tunnel pain.
I didn’t say “carpal tunnel syndrome” because maybe it is, but maybe it’s not. But, we will use the two terms interchangeably here.
In the beginning, the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome or pain may not be noticeable. The symptoms may not come too often at first. They may be mild.
As incorrect overuse of your hand or body continues, your symptoms may increase. Increased pressure on your nerves is caused by your tissues getting aggravated (strained) and swelling.
Carpal tunnel pain occurs for a variety of reasons. It usually results from one or more of the following five common reasons for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Trauma or Injury:
A hard blow to the arm or wrist will make the tendons in your carpal tunnel (a bony area in your wrist) swell. This swelling is what causes the pain symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. If you break your wrist, that can also cause the onset of carpal tunnel pain, which may be only temporary.
Genetic Predisposition:
A few people are genetically (runs in your family) more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome than others. Each person has varying amounts
of space and lubrication in their wrist. If you have less space and less lubrication than “normal,” you may be more likely to have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Health and Medical Conditions:
Your lifestyle and health can play an important part in whether or not you will develop wrist, hand and arm pain.
People with thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes are more likely than others to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Heavy drinkers of alcohol also tend to have a higher rate of carpal tunnel syndrome than the general public.
Women who have hormonal changes due to menopause, pregnancy and even taking birth control pills are more likely to have carpal tunnel pain.
Stress:
If you have a lot of emotional stresses (jobs and other major life stresses) you have a greater chance of developing carpal tunnel symptoms.
Repetitive Motion:
This is often believed to be the most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive motion is usually thought to be caused by the workplace. Most people think of computers, or data entry jobs, being the worst for causing carpal tunnel pain.
But any job or task that causes to you to work with your arms or hands in an incorrect position puts you at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Hobbies and other fun activities which contain repetitive motions can also be a cause of carpal tunnel pain.
When you know what the most common causes are for carpal tunnel pain, you can keep your eyes open for symptoms.
If you notice symptoms, you can begin taking steps to eliminate the causes of your carpal tunnel syndrome. “Nip it in the bud” before it has a chance to “bloom.”
“Because You Deserve To Feel Better!”