The increasing use of computers and smartphones has amplified the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It causes tingling and numbness in hands and or fingers, and at times weakness occurs in the affected hand.

‘Carpal tunnel’ is the portion at the base of the hand, where the tendon of the flexor muscles of the hand along with small bones of the hands are located. The pain occurs due to compression of the median nerve at that site. It occurs due to repetitive movements of hands like when using computers, cutting, or writing for long hours, and activities.

One may develop it after making the bed too, particularly if heavy mattresses have to be moved or tucked into.

The problem usually starts after a person has been doing some work involving repetitive movements of hands for many months/years mostly in the middle years of one’s life. With time and the continuation of the same work, symptoms increase in severity.

As such, any gender can be affected by this syndrome. But women suffer three times more than men. It is more common in middle age. The carpal tunnel of women is small anatomically as compared to men, hence subjected to stress more readily, making them more prone to suffer.

Along with pain, an individual can feel abnormal sensations like tingling or shock in the affected part. The affected part may get swollen and feel numb. These symptoms may last for a few minutes to an hour or so. But overall they are very disturbing to an individual. The work of a person is also hampered by recurrent pain.

Other musculoskeletal conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, muscular-skeletal stress, osteoporosis, trauma, and disease of the blood vessels supplying blood to the limbs, if present aggravate the symptoms caused due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be diagnosed easily by the typical features. It can be differentiated from other conditions causing similar symptoms by tests like electrophysiological studies of the nerve and its conduction.

Giving rest to the hands after working for an hour or so is a good strategy to prevent the occurrence of carpal tunnel or retarding its progress. While doing any work involving movements of the hands, a person should try to give pauses of a few minutes to the hands.

Splinting of the affected hand provides much respite in the pain. This consists of splinting the hand in a position that is most comfortable, particularly after work. This gives rest to the affected hand and reduces pain and abnormal sensations. Local injections of corticosteroids are also used to provide relief. The relief may last from weeks to months depending on the restart of the activity/activities causing carpal tunnel and its frequency. These conservative measures help if adopted within 10-12 months of the commencement of the problem.

If symptoms are severe and persistent in spite of other measures, definitive treatment consists of surgery. In this, the carpal tunnel is opened up and enlarged which gives much relief to the patient. But this is a major surgery associated with its potential hazards like infection, accidental damage to nerves causing paralysis, et cetera. Therefore, once the features develop, an individual should try to prevent aggravation of the condition.

Good nutritious food abundant in vitamins B1, B6, and B12 will keep the nerves of the body strong and help in minimising the damage caused to the nerve as in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Whole grains, cereals, dried beans fortified bread, nuts, fish, eggs, and red meat, are helpful in this regard. Regular exercises of the joints of the hands will also be useful.

Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine