Typing, painting, and playing musical instruments are all activities that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful health condition that repeated actions could cause.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a highly prevalent ailment that affects the hands and wrists, and its symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. This condition arises when an abnormally high amount of pressure within the wrist on a median nerve.
The following is a list of symptoms that should prompt you to seek medical attention.
1. Tingling or Numbness
You might feel tingling and numbness in your hands or fingers. Most of the time, it affects the thumb, index, middle, or ring finger, but not the little finger. You might feel something in these fingers that feels like an electric shock.
The feeling may start at the wrist and move up the arm. These symptoms often happen when you are driving, talking on the phone, or reading a newspaper. They can also wake you up from sleep.
Many people try to feel better by “shaking out” their hands. Over time, you might feel numb all the time.
2. Having Difficulty Grabbing Onto Things
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you may have difficulty grabbing onto things, as you may feel that they are slipping out of your hands. In the case of mild carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be able to use some medication to relieve the symptoms.
3. Increased Pain in Your Hand or Wrist When Frequently Used
The pain of carpal tunnel syndrome does not occur all at once. Instead, it gradually worsens when you use your hand or wrist for repetitive tasks. For example, if you are using your keyboard to do regular work, you may sporadically have pain in your wrist.
But if you continue to engage in this activity, you will likely start to feel the pain more often.
If you frequently find that your hand or wrist hurts, this is clear that you require medical attention.
4. Thumb Is Showing Signs of Weakness
Your thumb can reveal whether or not you have carpal tunnel syndrome, as the symptoms can become apparent if you feel your thumb is not as strong as it usually is.
The thumb is the most significant digit for grasping objects, and if you feel that this digit is weaker than usual, then this indicates that you may have strained your median nerve. If you think this way, seeking medical attention is essential.
5. Decreased Feeling in the Fingertips
The more severe your carpal tunnel syndrome is, the more likely you will notice that there is a loss of feeling in your fingertips. With time the numbness will spread to your hand, and then you will find that you have difficulty with simple tasks that involve fine motor skills, like using your keys.
This indicates that your median nerve is pinched and that you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that worsens over time. But if you take proper care of yourself, you can prevent the situation, and if it occurs, you can successfully treat it. If you notice difficulty performing everyday tasks due to carpal tunnel syndrome, it is essential to consult with a medical professional.
Are you in need of a carpal tunnel syndrome treatment? Hand & Wrist Center, led by Dr. Richard D. Curtis and Dr. Jose Baez, is fully capable of helping to relieve the pain in your hand and wrist. We are a state-of-the-art surgical facility staffed by a team of expertly-trained hand and wrist surgeons whose primary goal is to ease any discomfort you may experience. Call us today!
