High Probability of Getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
While occupied with mounds of paperwork, you suddenly experience a tingling sensation on your right hand. In short while the sensation is replaced by a stabbing pain that climbs up from your wrist to your arms. You brush it off as fatigue, probably a passing cramp. You’re lucky if it was.
The hands are probably two of the most overused parts of the human body, most especially in relation to work and leisure. There is no occupation that excludes the utilization of the hands. With this fact, we are all made susceptible to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when a nerve that runs from the forearm to the hand (called the median nerve) is compressed at the wrist by swollen, irritated tendons. This, in turn, blocks the passage of impulses from the nerve to the parts of hand it controls. As a result, numbness, weakness and pain are experienced on the affected arm; and to a certain degree, a decrease in strength, muscle wastage and immobility is observed. Carpal Tunnel syndrome may be brought about by a number of medical conditions including diabetes, structural abnormalities and autoimmune disease to name a few. And it is most likely developed through pursuit of repetitive movements and bad posture of the hand and wrist. It
People who work in the sewing, cleaning, assembly and meat packaging industry run the highest risk of acquiring Carpal Tunnel syndrome. In a 1998 study, it was found out that Carpal Tunnel syndrome significantly affected the productivity of 3 out of 10,000 workers; half of them missing about 10 days of work. Carpal Tunnel syndrome can be fixed through the use drugs, implementation of exercise (stretching and yoga), acupuncture and surgery.
Though it has been proven that heavy use of computers did not significantly amplify the risk of developing Carpal Tunnel syndrome, it would still be in everyone’s best interest to practice means in preventing it. It wouldn’t hurt to rest your hands once in while and improving hand posture by using a keyboard tray or adjusting your chair so the keyboard and mouse are below your elbows and your wrists are level. It would also be beneficial if the hands are regularly stretched and conditioned. Though Carpal Tunnel syndrome may not be a serious ailment, it should be considered as a forewarning and treated as early as possible.