During his life, almost every person is faced with certain pathologies. Someone suffers from allergies, another complains of more serious chronic diseases.
Tunnel syndrome is one of the rather unpleasant ailments that belong to the category of nephropathy. This disease is characterized by prolonged pain and severe numbness of the fingers. Let us consider in more detail the features of this ailment, the methods of its treatment, symptoms and preventive measures.
Reasons for the appearance
It’s worth mentioning right away that today there is no clearly formulated list that includes the main reasons for the development of this pathology. However, there are several factors that can trigger nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. For example, sprains or swelling caused by injuries can lead to such an ailment.
In addition, tunnel syndrome can occur in those people who perform the same physical manipulations daily. For example, those who constantly work in the office, on the computer, or with builders. A similar ailment can be caused by a special state of the body in case of a failure in metabolic processes or with deformational changes in the tissues of the canals or tendons.
Often, tunnel hand syndrome occurs in pregnant women, people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other pathologies. If tumors form on the nerves that penetrate the canal, then this can also lead to a similar ailment.
In addition, some experts pay attention that due to prolonged smoking, a person’s blood supply may be disturbed, which is also the cause of the tunnel syndrome. And some suggest that this disease can develop even against the background of obesity. Regardless of the reasons, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the ailment in a timely manner and begin treatment.
Tunnel Syndrome: Initial Stage Symptoms
First of all, unpleasant symptoms begin to appear only during work, that is, when the arms are as loaded as possible. In this case, numbness of the fingers occurs. Also, some patients complain that they experience problems with 3, 2, 1 and half 4 fingers at night during sleep. In this case, not only unpleasant pain, but also tingling, as well as the appearance of goose bumps are observed. Also, many note that their hands are greatly weakened.
Subsequent symptoms
If timely treatment is not started at the initial stages, then in this case the lesions pass to the muscles. Their functioning is carried out due to the median nerve. When a pathology occurs, specialists note weakness, atrophy and other motor disorders. And in some situations, the ailment can spread to other parts of the arm, such as the forearm, shoulder and beyond. In this case, it will be necessary to treat the ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Diagnostics
To correctly diagnose the disease, experts conduct several different tests. First of all, they tap on the wrists at a certain point and try to detect tingling or painful backache.
The doctor also asks the patient to squeeze his wrists and tell in detail about his feelings. If there is tingling or the presence of pain, then this may be the first sign of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
You can also check for the disease by raising your hands. If the pressure in the carpal canals increases and the unpleasant symptoms increase, then there is a small chance that the patient really suffers from this syndrome.
Differential diagnosis
Very often, this pathology appears against the background of other diseases. At risk are those people who suffer from diabetic polyneuropathy, arthritis and cervical radiculitis. Also in medical practice, there is such a thing as alcoholic epilepsy. This pathology can also cause the development of subsequent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment options
After consultation, the doctor may prescribe an independent course of therapy to the patient. However, only those who have an ailment so far at an early stage can count on a similar outcome. In this case, as a rule, in the treatment, special warming ointments are used, in some situations - bandages for the wrists. Thanks to these things, it becomes possible to alleviate painful sensations, especially when a person is at rest.
In addition, experts recommend that the patient think about changing working conditions, since, most likely, it is a certain type of activity that causes the tunnel syndrome.
Also, the doctor can prescribe medication using the simplest anti-inflammatory drugs that have a positive effect on the body, relieve pain and eliminate discomfort. In some situations, steroid injections are prescribed, but they are used only as a temporary solution, with an exacerbation of the disease.
It will also be useful to talk with a physiotherapist. This doctor will help you choose the right course of exercises, advise on how to properly sit or sit at the workplace during the day.
If the patient has more pronounced symptoms of tunnel syndrome, treatment may require surgical intervention. This cardinal method of therapy is prescribed only in a situation where the patient is almost unable to move his hand. An open operation is performed, during which a small incision is made on the transverse ligament of the wrist.
It is also worth noting that there are a number of practical procedures that can alleviate the condition of the patient. For example, experts advise applying cold to a sore spot. With an initial degree of development of tunnel syndrome, a reduction in daily loads helps. In some situations, another treatment may be prescribed using a variety of medications. It all depends on the specific situation, the age of the patient and the individual characteristics of his body.
Alternative treatments for tunnel syndrome
As a rule, this ailment develops for a rather long time, so patients manage to seek help even before the disease has passed into the chronic stage. In this case, some private practitioners suggest performing simple exercises for the hands, massages and mobilization techniques. However, other doctors agree that these methods are not as effective as drug treatment.
Medications
Thanks to specialized tools, you can significantly reduce pain and get rid of puffiness. Under the influence of drugs, the squeezed channel takes its usual size, thereby eliminating negative symptoms. In this case, we are talking about drugs that stop inflammation. Accordingly, in this case, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Additionally, you can use ointments and gels of local action, which will quickly reduce swelling and anesthetize the most problematic areas. If we talk about the best means, then, as a rule, experts recommend Nise, Diclofenac, Indomethacin or Movalis. Also, a positive effect is observed after the use of "Ibuprofen", "Naprofen" and acetylsalicylic acid.
However, before treating tunnel syndrome, it is imperative to consult a doctor. All these drugs have certain contraindications. Caution is also required when using anti-inflammatory drugs. Often they negatively affect the work of the intestines and other internal organs. Also in this situation, hormonal drugs are prescribed that allow you to get rid of the pain syndrome. To use them without a doctor’s prescription is also not recommended. If the patient accidentally begins to take the wrong hormones, then in this case he risks provoking a malfunction in the body. This is fraught with a malfunction of the hormonal background and other ensuing and not the most pleasant consequences.
If the tunnel syndrome of the hand has not reached the chronic stage, then in this case you can use folk remedies. There are several useful recipes that will help get rid of an unpleasant ailment. However, before starting self-medication, it is worthwhile to find out the doctor’s opinion on the selected herbs or recipes.
To date, the most effective and harmless are several options for home treatment.
Contrast baths
In this case, it is recommended to prepare a special composition of chamomile broth or infusion of sage. All these components have a positive and calming effect on the condition of the hands. In addition, natural substances reduce swelling and soothe inflamed areas.
To prepare a therapeutic bath, one tablespoon of the dry mixture must be poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted for an hour. After this, you need to strain the liquid and lower your hands into it. The duration of the procedure should be no more than 15 minutes.
You can also prepare a bath with sea salt. For this, the component must be mixed with two liters of warm water. In this case, 2 tablespoons of salt is enough.
Compress with horseradish leaves
In order to reduce soreness, it is necessary to wash the prepared foliage. After that, sheets of horseradish are boiled for 60 seconds (no more). At the next stage, it is enough to shake the liquid from the leaves and wrap the affected areas of the hands with it. Horseradish must be left in this position for 45 minutes. After the procedure, it is advisable to use a nourishing cream. This is because horseradish dries the skin quite strongly.
Diuretic tea
The disease is caused by excessive pressure, so this symptom must be removed. Teas and herbal decoctions, which contribute to the rapid removal of excess fluid from the body, do an excellent job of this. Dill, lingonberries and parsley are best suited. Also similar properties are distinguished by corn stigmas and wild strawberries.
Prevention
It is worth noting that today most of the people use a computer. Based on this, the most convenient preventive methods will be those that are aimed at the correct location of the person himself and the organization of the workplace where he spends the most time. Thanks to the correct arrangement of things, the appearance of tunnel syndrome of the joints of the hands can be prevented.
It is necessary to correctly adjust the height of the chair and the desktop. These parameters depend on the height and weight of the person. Also for work, it is advisable to purchase a chair that will be equipped with armrests. In addition, you can install a homemade or ready-made wrist rest.
In addition, within an hour you need to give your hands a rest for a few minutes. It is also worth doing some gymnastic exercises, they can be done directly sitting at the computer. Experts recommend the following:
- With force, clench your hands into fists and with the same force, unclench your palms as quickly as possible.
- Rotate each finger clockwise in turn, and then against its movement.
- With force, clench your hands into fists and make circular movements with your wrists.
- Strongly squeeze the palms of the hands in the chest area and slowly part them.
Finally
It is necessary to take care of your health and in the event of such unpleasant symptoms, consult a specialist as soon as possible. Any problems with limb movement can develop into more serious chronic pathologies.
It is better to prevent this and begin treatment in the early stages. Also, do not assume that tunnel syndrome can develop exclusively in the elderly. Today, this ailment is also found with enviable frequency among representatives of the younger generation. Therefore, it is better not to bring the situation to a critical point and to seek the help of experienced specialists in a timely manner.