Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common illness that causes unpleasant symptoms in the hand and forearm. The name of this condition comes from an area in a person’s wrist known as the “carpal tunnel”. In this area is the median nerve, one of the main nerves in the hand, which sends sensations to your palm and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve gets pinched or crushed as it passes through the wrist. In other words, when you perform repetitive tasks for a long time, you unknowingly put pressure on the median nerve. This will cause the median nerve to swell up and become too tight in the carpal tunnel. This will lead you to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
People who smoke, have more salt intake, and lead a sedentary lifestyle are among some of the lifestyle factors that can increase the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. When it comes to jobs, people who are working in industries that involve constant wrist movements, like manufacturing, production line work, keyboard typing, and construction jobs, may have a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can greatly impact a person’s life in the long term as it can be difficult for the person to complete even the simplest tasks so it is vital for people diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome to get treated as soon as possible.
What Does It Feel Like To Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Excess pressure on the median nerve leads to inflammation which causes you to have carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition has symptoms like you might feel numbness and tingle in the fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms also include being unable to grip objects as securely using the affected hand, and experiencing pain that extends all the way from the person’s wrist to your elbow. Symptoms at night are fairly common as some people sleep with their wrists bent or in an uncomfortable position. Symptoms commonly occur during the day when holding an item for a long time such as when using a phone or reading a book.
Prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is tough to avoid because the illness can be caused by a variety of activities in a person’s daily life, prevention can be difficult. Ranchlands Pharmacy has experienced and qualified pharmacists to provide you with the best self-management advice. Carpal tunnel syndrome, if left untreated, can sooner or later result in total, unavoidable median nerve damage, resulting in severe damage to hand function.
It is therefore critical that you see your doctor as soon as possible to get this condition treated. Making changes in your lifestyle that reduce your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome can help you avoid getting it again or for the very first time. A few of the common preventive measures are:
● Take more frequent breaks to allow your hands to rest.
● Avoid activities that worsen your symptoms if you already have carpal tunnel syndrome.
● To reduce swelling, apply cold packs.
Our pharmacists, at Ranchlands Pharmacy, will help you through this condition by providing you with the necessary advice to ensure you take the best care of your wrist to prevent further injury to the affected hand.
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