| The Carpal Tunnel is normally quite snug and
there is just barely enough room in it for the tendons and nerves that have to pass
through it. If anything takes up extra room in the canal, things become too tight and the
nerve in the canal becomes constricted or “pinched”. This pinching of the nerve
causes numbness and tingling in the area of the hand that the nerve travels to. The
condition that results when the Median Nerve is being pinched in The Carpal Tunnel is
commonly referred to as “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” or “CTS”.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The most common cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is
inflammation of the tendons in the tunnel which can normally be attributed to repetitive
use of the hand and/or wrist.Repetitive
Strain Injuries (RSIs) can happen to anyone whose work calls for long periods of steady hand
movement, from musicians & dental hygienists to meat cutters & cashiers.
RSIs tend to come with work that demands repeated grasping, turning and
twisting; they are especially likely if the work requires repeated twisting or involves
repetitive vibration, as in hammering nails or operating a power tool. Stressful hand, arm
and neck positions — whether from working at a desk, long-distance driving or waiting
on tables — only aggravate the potential for damage.
A number of sports can bring on repetitive
stress injuries: Rowing, golf, tennis, downhill skiing, archery, competitive shooting and
rock climbing are just a sampling of activities that stress the hand and wrist joints.
Injuries and ailments that cause swelling or compression of soft tissue on nerves, such as
sprains, leukemia, and rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to stress injuries. Diabetes,
thyroid problems, and other systemic disorders are also associated with discomfort from
stressed nerves, as is the fluid accumulation that sometimes accompanies pregnancy. Some
authorities believe that a pyridoxine (vitamin B6) deficiency can also induce the
symptoms.
Fluid retention, a major contributor to CTS
& RSI symptoms naturally occur with the usage of contraceptive pills. Post Menstrual
Syndrome (PMS) also causes fluid retention as do many other medical conditions, all of
which can result in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
• A
tingling or numb feeling in the hand and/or fingers;
• Shooting pains in the wrist or forearm, and sometimes extending to the shoulder, neck and
chest, or foot;
• Difficulty clenching the fist or grasping small objects;
For many unfortunate sufferers, CTS has a
pattern of flaring up through the night thereby making sleep difficult. CTS symptoms can
also be expected to arise frequently while performing the activity that is the cause of
the condition in the first place.
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