That pins-and-needles sensation in your hand may mean you’re one in five people that have carpal tunnel syndrome.
According to carpal-tunnel-syndrome.net, CTS is caused by a pinched nerve in your appendage. It produces a numb and “tingly” feeling that travels up the arm and may make the limb feel as if it is asleep. It usually appears in professions that require repetitive hand or wrist movements, like typing. Sports may also aggravate this disorder. If carpal tunnel is not taken care of properly, it can cause the hand to lose its grasping capability and tasks such as writing may become difficult.
“The frequent use of cell phones and computers in today’s world are making CTS show up more often than it used to,” said Harriet Masters, director of the Women’s Resource Center.
Women tend to be more susceptible to carpal tunnel and are affected 50 percent more than men.
Heightened awareness about the condition is also leading to more diagnosed cases. Over 40 percent of work-related repetitive injury incidents turn out to be CTS.
Risk factors for carpal tunnel can include smoking, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
“Unfortunately, CTS is not age specific; it can affect anyone, although there is a greater risk for women 35 and older,” said Masters.
Carpal tunnel can be diagnosed by taking a medical history, including current symptoms and listing daily activities that may be the source of your pain.
Your doctor may also give you a physical exam as well as an MRI or an X-ray of the afflicted area.
Recommended treatment for CTS is comprised of rest for the hand, applying ice for 10 to 15 minute intervals, taking an anti-inflammatory and wearing a wrist splint. Your physician can also suggest exercises to increase hand flexibility.
“When you’re having pain or loss of motion, it’s going to become detrimental at some point,” Masters said. “I hope the research [on CTS] will tell us something soon, but with as many medical facilities as we have here, it can at least be tackled and addressed in the meantime.”
Health.yahoo.com suggests preventing carpal tunnel by keeping arm, hand and finger muscles flexible. It also advises switching hands and changing wrist positions as often as possible while doing repetitive motions like typing. Good posture will also help keep the wrist and hand area irritation-free.
“I would also recommend buying a pad to rest your hands on while using the computer,” Masters said. “It supports and relieves stress on the wrist.”
For more information on carpal tunnel, go to www.carpal-tunnel-syndrome.net, www.health.yahoo.com, or call the Women’s Resource Center at 439-7847.

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