A carpal tunnel syndrome is a pathology that is associated with a change in the structure of the carpal tunnel (the disease is also called tunnel syndrome) and damage to the median nerve. Of course, the disease brings a lot of inconvenience to human life. Nevertheless, modern medicine offers fairly effective methods of combating the disease.
What disorders are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome? The main causes of the disease
Disappointing statistics indicate that over the past few years, cases of this disease have significantly increased. That is why many people are very actively interested in information about what constitute carpal tunnel syndrome, symptoms, and its treatment.
As mentioned above, the violation is associated with a gradual compression of the median nerve, which leads to discomfort and pain. In fact, the causes of changes in the normal structure of the carpal canal can be different: joint inflammation, and constant swelling. Nevertheless, this syndrome is considered to be a somewhat professional disease. For example, people who are forced to strain their wrists or perform a monotonous job all the time more often suffer from an ailment. Yes, compression of the median nerve is much more often diagnosed among pianists, people working at a computer, as well as drivers, packers.
Nevertheless, there are some other risk groups, these include patients with arthritis and rheumatism, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, and thyroid lesions. Much less often, carpal tunnel syndrome develops during pregnancy, as women “in position” often suffer from swelling. In any case, patients need the help of a specialist.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: symptoms
A similar disease develops gradually, sometimes over many years. As a rule, in the initial stages, patients complain of numbness of the fingers , which worries in the morning, but quickly disappears. As the disease progresses, numbness becomes an increasingly frequent companion of a person, only burning and tingling in the fingers also join it. In more severe cases, burning and numbness extend to the elbow. Sometimes the discomfort becomes so strong that patients wake up at night. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome complain of a change or loss of sensation. Often a person is not able to hold small objects in his hand, such as a needle or pen.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: how to treat?
In fact, this disease does not threaten human life. Nevertheless, in the absence of treatment, the median nerve is very damaged, as a result of which the hand can no longer perform its functions.
As for therapy, it depends on the severity of the disease. For example, in the initial stages, the doctor may recommend regular therapeutic exercises, even during work, you need to take breaks to stretch your fingers and wrists, this will increase blood flow and relieve soreness. In some cases, patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. At night, you can apply special tires to the wrists that keep the joints in an unbent state and relieve pressure from the median nerves. With puffiness, diuretics and a specially selected diet are used. Surgical intervention in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome is required only as a last resort, when there is a high probability of severe damage to nerve fibers.