Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
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DESCRIPTION
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Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve leading from the arm to the hand gets pinched as it passes through the carpal tunnel, a narrow, hollow area in the wrist. One or both hands can be affected.
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CAUSES
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Pressure on the median nerve is often the result of the swelling caused by a wrist injury, arthritis, diabetes, or water retention during pregnancy and menopause. Repetitive action such as using power tools may make the problem worse.
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SYMPTOMS
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You'll experience loss of feeling in part of the hand, usually in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Pain in the wrist and palm is sometimes accompanied by a sharp pain that shoots from the wrist up the arm, especially at night. Other symptoms include stiffness of the wrist in the morning, cramping of the hands, inability to make a fist, weakness in the thumb, a feeling of burning in the fingers, and a tendency to drop things.
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CARE
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The problem may clear up on its own. Wearing a splint on the wrist will help; and your doctor can prescribe medications to reduce the pressure on the nerve. Sometimes, however, surgery is needed to free the pinched nerve.
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