What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is basically a painful condition of the hands and wrists. It is also known as median neuritis. It is caused due to extra pressure on the median nerve that runs from the shoulder down the arm to the hand. In many serious cases, carpal tunnel syndrome makes the simplest chore or activity impossible such as, holding a frying pan, folding the laundry, or lifting an infant. The carpal tunnel syndrome can take place either on one wrist or both. When it affects both the wrists of a person then it is known as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. It affects the workers in many of the industries such as meatpacking, grocery checkout and many other assembly works. Many persons especially the ones who are among those working with the computers are most likely to be the victim of the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms

The syndrome provides the victim none other than pain, but in addition it provides numbness and tingling in the hands. These symptoms are generally felt in the first three fingers and the base of the thumb. Often the pain and other symptoms gets worsen at night or during sleep. Tendons of the fingers, blood vessels, and the median nerve all pass through the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed by the carpal ligament there in the wrist. Swelling and steady irritation of the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel generates pressure on the median nerve.

Prevalence

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common focal peripheral neuropathy that results from the compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Through a report it is found that the syndrome affects an estimated three percent of adult Americans and is approximately three times more common in women than in men. High prevalence rates have been found in persons who perform certain repetitive wrist motions, but the significance of this relationship continues to be mostly challenged. Although 30 percent of frequent computer users complain of the hand paresthesias, but only 10 percent meet clinical criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome, and nerve conduction studies are abnormal in only 3.5 percent of these persons.