Like many other IT professionals who worry much about health, to know what is carpal tunnel syndrome is a must.The image appearing at the right is courtesy of MPS Site. It shows the carpal tunnel/median nerve.
What is CTS?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition affecting the wrist, hands and fingers. It occurs when a nerve inside the wrist is compressed during an activity, such as typing on a computer. Repeating the offending activity can lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Symptoms
Symptoms can be moderate such as, slight lack of feeling, and minor prickling of the skin, to intense pain with a debilitating deterioration of the thumb. The most usual symptom is burning, tingling and numbness in the first three fingers. You will not be aware of any affect in the little finger. The nerve stimulus for the little finger is derived from another origin rather than the carpal tunnel. The initial onset of CTS will bring about recurrent symptoms. You may feel as if your thumb has "fallen asleep" with tingling feelings as if it is beginning to "wake up." The thumb will progressively become more physically weak and will eventually be more painful as the condition deteriorates. Manifestations of CTS are noticed more at night. This may bring about a transfer of the pain to the arms and at times into the shoulders.
How to lessen the possibility of CTS
* While at work, grasp an object with entire hand and fingers for balanced support.
* Rest your arms and hands at least every one or two hours.
* Stimulate your hands by simple exercises several times each day.
* Use tools as much as possible rather than over extending your wrist.
* Set up straight in your chair. The chair needs to be adjusted so that your knees are at a comfortable right angle and your feet are conveniently flat on the floor.
* Wrists and forearms should be held straight and parallel to the floor.
* Elbows need to be bent while working.
* The screen of your computer should be approximately 2 ft. from you and just below your line of vision.
* Obtain a chair with armrests and rest the elbows, this will help to reduce the flexion of the wrists.
* A "wrist rest" pad in front of the keyboard will alleviate compression on the carpal tunnel area.
* Stretching exercises before beginning your daily tasks will warm up the muscles and improve the blood circulation.
* Strengthening exercise can be accomplished by placing a flexible band around the fingers and then open and close the fingers. The resistance will strengthen the muscles in the area of the hand and wrist.
* Avoid sodium-loaded foods that promote retention of fluids, which worsen CTS.
* Weight in excess; will bring about more pressure on the carpal tunnel. Try to maintain an ideal weight for your personal body makeup.
* Try to alternate jobs rather than performing repetitive tasks with hands and wrists, for long periods. "
To read more advice like the article above, check out: Essortment site.
Knowing things around us is a great weapon to save us.
