Defining Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

My friends and I would normally joke about carpal tunnel syndrome. When someone would feel a little numbness or pain in the hands or wrist after so much computer works, we would tell them that it is carpal tunnel. We often say it without actually knowing what carpal tunnel syndrome really is.

Fact is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is not a byproduct of the computer age as others would think of it. Did you know that CTS is recognized for as long as the mid-1800s? We did some research and found out more about CTS. Read on find out what CTS really is and the different symptoms related to it.

Carpal tunnel syndrome defined
We cannot define CTS without being scientific. So we looked for the simplest scientific definition and have borrowed that of The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes description : “CTS happens when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.”
Carpus in Greek means "karpos" and when translated in English - wrist. The band of fibrous tissue that surrounds the wrist functions as a support for the joint. The tight space between this fibrous band and the wrist bone is called the carpal tunnel.

The carpal tunnel syndrome is the disease and not the carpal tunnel. To fully understand the syndrome, we must also describe the carpal tunnel. As mentioned, it is not an illness but it is mainly the narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand.
The carpal tunnel houses the median nerve and tendons. And when the median nerve is compressed it may result in pain, numbness or weakness in the hand and wrist which even spreads up in the arm.

Symptoms
What are the different symptoms of CTS? How would one know that they are experiencing CTS already? The symptoms may be categorized into three levels.

First level Symptom: CTS usually starts gradually in the palm of the hand and fingers (especially the thumb, index and middle fingers) with the following sensation:
- frequent burning
- tingling
- itching numbness
- feel useless and swollen
- often first appear in one or both hands during the night

Second level symptom: The symptoms in the first level worsens. In this level, people generally feel the following :
- tingling during the day
- decreased grip strength

Third level symptom: In chronic cases, people will most of the time feel the following :
- muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away
- unable to tell between hot and cold by touch

They say that CTS is experienced by 5% of the population. Getting to know the symptoms and knowing what CTS is will help you determine the sensation that you are feeling. Do not just take things for granted. Immediately consult your doctor.