What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and How can you avoid it?
401113
I'm not a doctor. Consult your doctor if you have any doubt. \n\nCarpal tunnel is a tunnel formed by your wrist bones (capals). There are arranged in U shape and form the floor and wall of the tunnel. A ligament called transverse carpal ligament forms the roof. \n\nSeveral tendons of the muscles that bend the fingers pass through the tunnel, as well as a nerve called median nerve. If pressure rises in the tunnel, the nerve will be compressed and causing paralysis of the muscles and tingling sensation or sensory loss of skin area supplied by the nerve.\n\nThere are many causes for carpal tunnel syndrome. To name a few, tendonitis (inflammation of tendon(s) that pass throught the tunnel), pregnancy, liver failure, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, genetic. Sometimes no cause can be found. \n\nTreatment is by treating the underlying cause. If not, corticosteroid injection may help. Surgery decompression is used if the nerve damage is severe and causing disability.
1057405
A major set of nerves run through a small tunnel of cartilage in the wrists.  Carpel Tunnel is a condition in witch the tissue in the tunnel swells and pinches the nerves.  This can cause numbness in the hand, loss of motor skills in the fingers, pain in the wrist and arm.  But there are other things that could cause the pain you described including arthritis.  \n\nYes, if it is carpel the operation works.  The operation cuts open the tunnel and removes a small section of it.  this prevents the nerves from being pinched and the symptoms go away.
614577
I haven't had it personally, but many of my massage therapy clients have over 11 yrs of practice.  Unfortunately, most were unsatisfied with the results.  Incidentally, the physician who created the surgery spoke out later that it was not the cure for carpal tunnel.  I guess by that point, it was too big a business to stop it - people have it every day.\nAnyway, a good therapeutic massage therapist may be able to help you more, while costing you less (esp. if insurance will cover it - some do - must have a doctor's prescription.)  Working on the potential nerve impingement, postural distortion, and related factors should give you relief that cutting the ligaments in the carpal tunnel may not and which is far riskier.\nAsk any surgeon - for themselves, surgery is usually the last option to consider!  \nGood luck to you!
421862
No, it doesn't. Carpal tunnel syndrome is defined as compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the hand. Thus, it only causes symptoms below the point of compression ie. in the hand (specifically the lateral 3 and a half fingers).\n\nIf you have numbness affecting the entire arm, it is much more likely to be caused by compression of a nerve root in the neck. Heart problems don't tend to cause numbness of the left arm in isolation, so if this is your only symptom, I wouldn't worry about your heart. If, however, you have other symptoms suggesting problems with your heart, you should bring them to your doctor's attention and explain your concerns.
312376
Not necessarily - if it is confined to the last 3 fingers on your hand it is more than likely carpel tunnel syndrome which is very simply fixed with day surgery.  If this sounds like it could be so  then get it checked soon, as the problem will eventually travel up your arm to your shoulder and your may incur problems there too
447796
You should see a doctor to get a check up... I know people who have had that happen and it was a pinched nerve or a carpel tunnel problem.. don't worry but as with any problem that is new.. it needs a doctor to diagnose ... Good Luck.. :)
695204
Some people with mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can ease their discomfort by taking more frequent hand-rest breaks and applying cold packs to reduce occasional swelling. If these techniques don't offer relief, treatment options include wrist splinting, medications and surgery.\n\nNonsurgical therapy\nMost people with carpal tunnel syndrome can be effectively treated with nonsurgical methods, including:\n\nWrist splinting. A splint that holds your wrist still while you sleep can help relieve nighttime symptoms of tingling and numbness. Splinting is more likely to help you if you've had only mild to moderate symptoms for less than a year. \nNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs may help relieve pain from carpal tunnel syndrome if you have an associated inflammatory condition. If no inflammatory condition is involved, NSAIDs are unlikely to help relieve your symptoms. \nCorticosteroids. Your doctor may inject your carpal tunnel with a corticosteroid, such as cortisone, to relieve your pain. Corticosteroids decrease inflammation, thus relieving pressure on the median nerve. Oral corticosteroids aren't as effective as corticosteroid injections for the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. \n\nThe link below is from the Mayo Clinic and is FREE and reliable.
1079651
Since 1977 I have professionally used computers. My vision is 20/20. I do not have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I do not have back problems, either. I do however have a neck problem that is caused by a disease not related to computer usage and is aggravated by the usage.\n\nI believe if you practice good work habits like:\n   1) Sitting straight with arms parallel to upper legs. Feet flat on the floor.\n   2) Not reaching out to use mouse and keyboard.\n   3) Having proper ambient lighting.\n   4) Taking regular breaks--walk and stretch.\n   5) Ensuring monitor is near head level (so that your head doesn't tilt down or up more too much).\n\nSome people believe that monitors radiate electromagnetic emissions... The old CRT types did. I doubt the flat panels do.  If somebody checked I believe they'd find that computers give off much more than most monitors. Like I've said, I started in 1977 and have no eye problems. Not even skin problems like Melanoma. You can purchase a shield for your monitor, but I believe you are buying into "Snake Oil." Check this short article from the National Institutes of Health, dated 1995. It is old and monitors have significantly improved since then...and this study states that monitors are not harmful if properly used.\n\nhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8559054&dopt=Abstract\n\nHTW,\nMartin
384095
If you mouse a lot or have other repetitive motions, this is a sign that your muscles and tendons may be overstrained.  Please see a doctor asap for medical treatment.  I waited too long and....OUCH!
305820
carpal tunnel syndrome from all that repetitive motion
71229
i had that problem too and saw a doctor.  carpel tunnel syndrome is a pinched nerve in your wrist.  it will help if you get a brace that goes around your forearm that looks like the brace which is used for tennis elbow.  sort of puts pressure on a pressure point of the muscle in your forearm that tends to relieve the pain from the carpel tunnel syndrome.  another brace that will help is a wrist brace.  this brace has a metal plate in it which keeps your wrist in its normal resting position.  it may seem like it is in an awkward position, but it tends to relieve the pain.  especially when you sleep.
419877
Are you sure it's the knot causing numnbess?  I've never heard of a knot causing numbness.  Usually knots, or trigger points as they are called are caused by muiscle tightness, and this muscle tightness might be putting pressure on a nerve which is causing the numbness.  However, most likely the numbness is being caused by somehting going on in your neck, like a buldging disc.   My advice is to go see a good doctor or a physical therapist who can figure out what the true cause of your numbness is.
284864
Do you type a lot?  This is a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.  You should see a doctor.\n\n\nEdit to MIRMIR - you don't have to type a lot. It's a condition where a nerve in your wrist is pinched, so it's more about wrist movement and position.  The nerve just happens to control those particular fingers.\n\nMore things than just typing will cause it.
817971
It sounds like some sort of nerve entrapment syndrome...and when you are bending your hands in a certain way, it is putting additional strain on nerves that don't have much room to move around...leading to pain.  Most people with something like this will often complain of tingling and/or a numbness sensation, as well.  It is similar to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (which is the most common type of nerve entrapment syndrome).\n\nBut...it is really hard to say that this is what it is for sure.  If you see a doctor for an exam, a thorough examination might help.  Also, there are "nerve conduction" tests they can do.\n\nIn the end, if this is the problem...sometimes avoidance of certain activities help considerably.  Also, anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen) regularly can help.  Occasional splinting is also helpful.  Weight loss is also very helpful, if the person with this problem is very overweight.  If all this fails and problems get worse, surgery is considered...to "open" the area up where the nerve is being "pinched".\n\nIn any event, a full exam by a doctor could help figure out if this is the cause or something else.\n\nI hope this helped some!
477935
Until your tongue gets carpal tunnel
853240
What symptoms? It is hard to differentiate between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and (RSI) Repetitive Strain Injury or even simple strained tendons as in "tennis elbow". Stay away from steroids. They will mask the symptoms and you may exacerbate the problem. See a homeopth.
911394
I had carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and had both operated on in a simple procedure.  Both of my hands would fall asleep and be painful.  You will have pain from the thumb to the ring finger, but the pinky won't fall asleep.  This will happen if your hands are in the same position, like holding a newspaper or carrying groceries or whatever.  Often I would wake up from my hands aching.\n\nI wore braces on my hands for awhile, but it wasn't helping so I went to an orthopedist who did the surgeries.  \n\nIf you decide to have surgery, don't have them both done the same day or you can't wipe your butt by yourself!!!  :oP