Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome To Watch Out For

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a commonly occurring condition that can lead to tingling, numbness, and pain in the arm and hand. The condition is caused by compression or squeezing of the median nerve, which is one of the major nerves that connects the hand to the spinal cord, and it has to travel through the wrist to function. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often a progressive condition that gets worse with time. Because of that, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. If the condition is severe enough, it may require surgery. However, in the early stages, the symptoms can often be alleviated by taking measures like wearing a wrist splint and stretching more often. Individuals are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome if they type or use their hands for much of the day.

Read about the major symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome to watch out for now.

Numbness And Tingling

Numbness and tingling are often the first two symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Affected individuals might not even notice these sensations until the condition progresses. Some patients notice the tingling and numbness but ignore it, assuming it's just due to circulation rather than being a serious medical condition. If individuals notice their hand or arm feels numb or tingling often, especially after they've used their hands to type or do other work, they should be concerned. Other conditions affecting the nerves or blood vessels can also lead to numbness or tingling. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes these symptoms due to the compression of the nerves in the wrist. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause tingling and numbness. This condition refers to damage to the nerves found in the extremities. If individuals have uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes, they have a higher likelihood of developing peripheral neuropathy. There are also chronic health conditions that can cause tingling and numbness in the hands including vascular diseases, Raynaud's phenomenon, multiple sclerosis, and a stroke.

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Itching Or Burning Sensations

Another classic pair of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are itching or burning sensations. These may occur alongside numbness or tingling. They might also occur without an individual experiencing numbness or tingling. There have been some cases where the numbness progresses to burning and itching. These feelings occur due to nerve compression. In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome begins in the dominant hand, especially if they've been using that hand to write or do other labor-intensive work. The pain might also feel like small electric shocks. If individuals are experiencing unexplained burning, itching, or shocklike sensations, they should talk to a doctor. These sensations are often a sign something is amiss with the nervous system, particularly if affected individuals don't have any accompany skin symptoms like redness or rashes. The majority of patients treated for carpal tunnel syndrome make a complete recovery, and it's rare to experience a recurrence. One of the most important aspects of treatment is rest, which is sometimes difficult for students and office workers.

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Reduced Grip Strength

Individuals dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome may also notice they have a reduced grip strength that might become worse over time. The nervous system is responsible for controlling movements. The brain sends signals to the muscles through the nerves. When the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, the brain isn't able to send effective signals to the fingers. Since the nerve isn't damaged enough to interrupt the signals entirely, individuals are still able to grip things, but they might not have the same strength or tightness they used to. This can make it very difficult and frustrating to engage in activities like writing with a pen, typing, painting, knitting, and crocheting. Artists who hold tablet pens and pencils frequently are more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome. There are several exercises individuals can do to keep their wrists flexible and prevent their nerves from becoming compressed. It also helps to get up and stretch at least once every half hour or so, which prevents the wrists from becoming stiff.

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Muscle Cramping

Muscle cramping is also common with carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients might notice it when trying to use their dominant hand to complete tasks like painting or typing. However, the cramping can also persist even in situations where they aren't actively using their hands. Individuals might experience pain and cramping when they're just trying to watch television or go to bed. The decreased nerve conduction can cause their muscles to become weaker over time as well. When muscle cramps are caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, experts refer to this as a carpal spasm. Spasms occur when the muscles contract involuntarily. It's not very common for carpal tunnel syndrome to lead to muscle spasms in the hands, but some patients have experienced this occurrence. If individuals notice their dominant hand is cramping involuntarily on an ongoing basis, they should talk to a doctor, as there are other causes of muscle spasms as well. Individuals might experience spasms without carpal tunnel syndrome if they've overused their muscles by typing, writing, or drawing without a break. Low levels of the electrolytes magnesium and calcium can also lead to cramping.

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Reduced Coordination

Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome often experience a marked reduction in their coordination, especially as the condition becomes worse with time. It's important to diagnose and treat carpal tunnel syndrome before the reduction in coordination affects the individual's work. Some nervous system conditions cause a progressive reduction of coordination and muscle weakness in different areas of the body. Carpal tunnel syndrome is unique in that it only tends to affect the coordination in the thumb and fingers of whatever hand is affected. If individuals are experiencing a reduction in coordination in other parts of the body, they should talk to a doctor about other potential nerve conditions they may have. The doctor might refer the patient to a neurologist depending on the symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome patients might struggle to do daily tasks like writing, buttoning their shirts, or moving their thumbs to hold objects.