Description of Carpal tunnel syndrome
A nerve disorder affecting the fingers, thumb and hand.
Persons most commonly affected by Carpal tunnel syndrome - adults of both sexes but more common in women aged 30 to 60.
Organ or part of body involved in Carpal tunnel syndrome - median nerve supplying hand.
Symptoms and indications of Carpal tunnel syndrome
A tingling or burning sensation in the first three or four fingers of one or both hands, pains that may shoot up the arm, numbness and weakness in the hand. The symptoms are usually most severe at night. A person with these symptoms should seek medical advice.
Treatment of Carpal tunnel syndrome
Includes resting the hand and wrist, sometimes requiring a splint, which often resolves the condition. However, if it does not respond, surgery may be needed to divide the ligament in the wrist that is compressing the median nerve.
Causes and risk factors of Carpal tunnel syndrome
The condition is caused by pressure on the median nerve by an overlying ligament in the wrist. This is brought about by trauma such as a lot of work with the hand and wrist, injury to the wrist or inflammatory conditions, especially arthritis. The condition can often be cured or improved.
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