Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when there's increased pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel, a passageway in the palm side of your wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically comes with a pins-and-needles feeling or a tingling sensation, especially at night.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Many times, there isn’t a single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Anything that squeezes or irritates the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some of the most frequent conditions linked with carpal tunnel syndrome are:
- diabetes
- thyroid dysfunction
- fluid retention from pregnancy or menopause
- high blood pressure
- autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis
- fractures or trauma to the wrist