Many people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, but unless you have experienced the pain it is difficult to understand just how bad it can be.
Imagine this: You are sitting at your desk, attempting to work, but you cannot seem to shake the numbness, tingling, and pain in your hand and wrist. Worst yet, some people suffer from this injury in both hands.
There is a lot to understand about carpal tunnel syndrome. To start, you need to know what this condition entails. In short, carpal tunnel syndrome comes into play when the median nerve is pressed on at the wrist. This nerve is located in what is known as “the carpal tunnel.”
What are the symptoms? This typically begins with tingling, numbness, and burning. At first, you may be able to ignore the pain. You may even believe it is nothing more than a bad cramp. However, over time, it is only going to get worse. Soon enough, you will realize the problem isn’t just happening at work. You are also experiencing pain and discomfort during the night.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is typically caused by overuse, injury, or trauma. For example, if you type, day after day without take any break, you could eventually find yourself suffering from this problem.
When it comes to workplace injuries, many people don’t think about carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a mistake, as many workers suffer from this type of injury. As a result, they are unable to do their job effectively.
If you believe you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, maybe due to your work conditions, it is important to be examined by a medical professional.
Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet,” accessed Nov. 17, 2015
