Lately I've been feeling some numbness on my right hand, wrist, and arm. Sometimes, I can't use my hand completely the whole day when it feels really painful. So I had it checked by an ortho at the Asian hospital. He diagnosed it as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The probable cause: long hours of using my laptop everyday. Oh, no! So, I'd have to lessen my Facebook addiction, and try not to use the laptop somedays. And I am also now starting on my Physical Therapy (PT) sessions to help ease the pain and hopefully fix the problem. So, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this condition, here are a few facts about the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
What it is:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The capal tunnel houses the median nerve, which controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers.
Symptoms:
- pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm
- frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers
- decreased grip strength
Causes:
- factors that increase pressure on the median nerve
- trauma/injury to the wrist
- rheumatoid arthritis
- repeated use of vibrating hand tools
- repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist at work
- development of a cyst or tumor in the canal
- in some cases, no cause can be identified
Treatment:
- resting the affected hand and wrist
- avoiding strenous activities of the hand and wrist
- stretching exercises
- surgery if symptoms last for 6 months
info source: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm
