Carpal tunnel syndrome can appear for anyone, but it’s most prevalent in the 20 to 50-year-old age group. People of this age are usually in the workforce and do repetitive wrist or hand movements daily, for several hours a day. Studies also show that women suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome more than men do, although men, too, suffer from this disability. One reason is that the women in general have smaller wrist bones and therefore have less space for the tendons that exist in the carpal tunnel. Therefore, they are more susceptible to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and the inflammation that is part of it.
Because of this type of repetitive stress injury, tendons themselves can become inflamed in the carpal tunnel, which can cause the median nerve to be compressed in the wrist. If inflammation is particularly slight, symptoms may also be mild, including numbness or tingling in the hands or wrists. For some people, symptoms are mild enough that they’re active for some time before they are actively disabled by them. However, once carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms appear, it’s not likely that they will go away without treatment, and the syndrome is also degenerative, in that it can get worse over time. If you’ve suffered previous injuries or trauma to your hands or wrists, you may also be more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. If you have lupus, diabetes, or breast cancer, or if you have been pregnant, you may also be susceptible to developing carpal tunnel syndrome; other medical conditions may also make you susceptible to developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Because of regular strenuous or repetitive movements, one can suffer from inflammation of the tendons in the carpal tunnel causing pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. For some, slight inflammation can produce numbness or tingling while others will continue to be active for quite some time before the symptoms will bother them.
One thing for sure. Once the median nerve is put under pressure due to movement it will not go away without treatment and may only get worse with time. Some people who have suffered from previous injuries or trauma to their wrists or hands may find that they will have to deal with carpal tunnel symptoms later on in life. Other medical conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, breast cancer, lupus or other related illnesses could also produce carpal tunnel symptoms and place the sufferer at a higher risk than others.
One of the most effective ways to help treat carpal tunnel syndrome is by wearing a wrist brace. Wrist braces can be purchased in either short or long styles, and you can wear them during the day, during the evening, or all the time. There are several different styles and choices to choose from, all of which is to help you gain wrist strength back and get your days without much discomfort.
Obtaining a wrist brace can be one of the most effective tools when dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome. Whether you choose a short or long brace, one that you wear during the evening or the day, there are a number of choices to help you gain your wrist strength back and guide through your days with a minimal amount of discomfort. Some wrist braces can go around the hand while leaving mobility for your fingers and thumb while others are designed specifically for the wrist and do not include the fingers in the brace at all. No matter which brace you and your family physician choose is best for your recovery plan, be sure to include regular stretching and exercises in order for the muscles to regain strength and avoid atrophy while healing.
Tom Nicholson has discovered a strange set of carpal tunnel exercises that have helped carpal tunnel sufferers all over the world. They are simple, easy to follow and can be done without leaving your home. Follow the link to his sight and find out what you can do to help prevent your CTS from progressing and easing the pain you feel now.
