Articles > Do I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs 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. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand ¾ houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.

What leads to carpal tunnel syndrome?

Doing the same hand movements over and over can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. It's most common in people whose jobs require pinching or gripping with the wrist held bent. People at risk include people who use computers, carpenters, grocery checkers, assembly-line workers, meat packers, violinists and mechanics. Hobbies such as gardening, needlework, golfing and canoeing can sometimes bring on the symptoms.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is linked to other things too. It may be caused by an injury to the wrist, such as a fracture. Or it may be caused by a disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common during the last few months of pregnancy.

Vitamins For Carpal Tunnel

Vitamin B6 deficiency may encourage development of or aggravate the symptoms of CTS (Carpal tunnel syndrome) and often the symptoms of CTS are relieved by B6 supplementation in either a B-complex formula or in a multivitamin containing B6. At very high levels vitamin B6 can damage sensory nerves, leading to numbness in the hands and feet as well as difficulty walking. Any adult taking more than 100-200 mg of vitamin B6 per day for more than a few months should consult a doctor.

In addition to B6, some therapists believe that bromelain, a powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme found in pineapple, is very effective in treating the inflammation and any resulting pain. The combination of bromelain and vitamin B6 works better than either supplement alone. Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is another useful herb. When turmeric is taken with bromelain, they enhance each other's anti-inflammatory properties and together may help relieve the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. Though turmeric is safe to use over the long term, cut the dose in half once your symptoms subside. (This herb can be expensive.)

What else you can do

• Take frequent breaks when performing any repetitive hand activity, such as typing, knitting, or playing an instrument. Stop at least once an hour to flex your fingers and shake your hands.
• Apply ice to your wrists when pain strikes. Use a flexible ice pack-or even a bag of frozen peas-and put it on for 10 minutes every hour to ease the pain and reduce the inflammation.
• Elevate your wrists with a pillow when you lie down.

How much to take

Vitamin B6 - 50 mg 3 times a day until symptoms subside.
200 mg daily over long term can cause nerve damage.

Bromelain - 1,000 mg twice a day during acute phase. Reduce to 500 mg twice a day when symptoms subside. Take between meals.
Eliminate after two weeks if ineffective.

Turmeric - 400 mg 3 times a day.
Standardized to contain 95% curcumin. Should be used with bromelain.

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