Carpal Tunnel Syndrome--Are You at Risk?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful hand and wrist condition that can cause great discomfort, difficult, and even disability to many people. Many sufferers first notice the symptoms during the night, since the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are exacerbated by flexing the wrists, a common sleeping position. Burning, tingling, pain, or numbness are common symptoms. These symptoms can progress to the point where the sufferer begins to lose strength in the hands, becomes unable to make a fist or perform delicate tasks.

Carpal tunnel syndrome has a reputation as a 'typist's syndrome' due to its frequent occurrence in those who spend a great deal of time at a typewriter or computer. However, while typing is a common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, other types of repetitive movements can cause the syndrome, as well as nerve damage unrelated to repetitive tasks. In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome is three times more likely among factory and assembly workers than it is among typists. People who work in manufacturing, sewing or tailoring, cleaning, and workers at meat, fish, and poultry processing plants are some of the most likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.

The median nerve passes through a small tunnel in the carpal bones of the wrist-the carpal tunnel-and any injury or damage to this delicate tunnel or the surrounding bones can cause the syndrome. It can also be caused by a genetic predisposition that results in a smaller than usual carpal tunnel. Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome, therefore, include many things that can lead to a narrowing of this small tunnel. Injury or trauma to the wrist, such as a fracture or a severe sprain, especially if it heals poorly, can result in damage to the carpal tunnel. Degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus are also risk factor. Hormonal dysfunction such as a hyperactive pituitary gland or hypothyroidism increase a person's chance of developing the syndrome. Diabetes also increases the risk of carpal tunnel, because of the attendant nerve damage that can be caused by high blood sugar.

Fluid retention or the development of a cyst or tumor within the carpal tunnel can also cause impingement of the median nerve. The use of vibrating tools, like hair clippers or mechanical tools, can create inflammation in the carpal tunnel. Women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than are men, perhaps because of the smaller size of their wrists and their correspondingly smaller carpal bones.

However, even for those who do not frequently use vibrating tools or keyboards, there are other risk factors. Video game enthusiasts are developing carpal tunnel syndrome with more frequency, especially gamers who play more than two hours per day. The tension of the hands during gaming, the repetitive and often super-fast button pushing, and the tendency to keep the hands, arms, and wrists in the same position for long periods of time without breaks increase the risk of inflammation and damage to the carpal tunnel. Likewise, crafters, such as knitting or crochet enthusiasts, can develop carpal tunnel without ever going near a keyboard. Chefs and cooks can develop the syndrome from chopping and whisking motions. When a person commonly performs several of these activities on a daily basis, the risk increases even more.

Recognizing the risk helps to make people aware. The next step is prevention. One of the most effective ways to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome is to take frequent rest periods. Allow the hands and wrists to relax, away from the tools, keyboard, or video game controller. Also, some simple stretching exercises can help to loosen the tendons and muscles after the tension of overuse sets in. Placing the palms flat against the desk and leaning forward until a gentle stretching sensation is felt in the wrists and inner forearms is one good stretch. Splaying the hands wide and letting them relax again is another.

Finally, listen to the body. When the hands ache, especially in the morning or after work, this can be one of the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Discuss taking an anti-inflammatory with your physician, such as Advil or Aleve. While Tylenol might help with the pain, the real cause is inflammation, and more benefit can generally be gained from anti-inflammatory medications. Consider wearing carpal tunnel wrist braces, especially at night. All these measures can help to prevent the inflammation from worsening and progressing into full-blown carpal tunnel syndrome, which can necessitate painful and expensive surgical correction.