Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a general state which causes pain and weakness in the muscles of the hand.

There is a small tunnel like structure in wrist joint that houses a nerve called the median nerve. This specific nerve is significant for functions and sensations of the muscles of the palm. Any enhancement in the contents of the carpal tunnel or reduces in the size of the tunnel itself can constrict the nerve as it passes throughout the tunnel from the hand into the palm.

The accurate cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of is unknown though certain medical and occupational conditions can increase risks.

• pregnancy
• oral contraceptive pills
• diabetes
• Acromegaly
• rheumatoid arthritis
• trauma and fracture of wrist bone (lunate)
• Premenstrual stress.
• Repetitive stress
• under active thyroid functions
• osteoarthritis
• cardiac failure

Other factors which increase the likelihood of CTS are:

• CTS affecting any family member.
• Occupations (assemblage line workers, food processors, meat packers and the like, not general office work)
• Obesity
• Age (40)
• Stress

• Lack of sensation and tingling specially of the thumb, index and middle fingers.
• In early phase this sensation is more like having your hands simply "falling asleep" (In fact, merely pain with nonexistence of this sensation makes this diagnosis unlikely).
• With intense pain, relief is obtained by typically shaking or flicking the wrist
• Weakness of the muscles of the palms
• trouble in making a fist
• Tendency to drop things easily
• Difficulty in Grasping objects
• Person tends to become clumsy
• Later on, there is observable wasting of the muscles of the palm

Commonly, the symptoms emerge at night as many people sleep with bent wrists which additionally compress the carpal tunnel. Simple flexing of the hand at the wrist to 900 causes significant reduction in the tunnel size.

Your doctor can diagnose this condition in the clinic (PHALEN'S TEST, TINEL'S TEST).

In few cases of suspicion these investigations may be used

• Electromyography
• Ultrasonography.
• Nerve conduction studies
• MRI

The unbeaten way to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome is to take frequent breaks from recurring movement such as computer keyboard usage as well as treating the precipitating conditions (hypothyroidism, diabetes etc.)

Lifestyle Modifications

Decrease excessive consumption of

• sugars
• protein intake
• foods containing yellow dyes
• alcohol
• Penicillamine
• caffeine
• radiation exposure
• tobacco
• oral contraceptives, post-menopausal drugs
• processed grains and corn
• estrogens

Have more of these in your diet

• whole grains
• seeds
• soybeans
• fresh salmon and cod (cold-water, non-farmed)
• brewer's yeast
• nuts (peanuts, walnuts)
• molasses
• liver
• Avocadoes, bananas, prunes, blueberries
• Cabbage
• Wheat bran and [wheat] germ etc.
• green leafy vegetables
• raisins

It is also suggested to make efforts in adopting a more ergonomic work and life environment.

• Homeopathy can be considered a good alternative to the use of steroid in most cases. It is recommended to initiate with homeopathy before choice for cortisone.
• It can offers great control in pain and stiffness, providing a substitute to pain killers. Homeopathic medicines are safe and do not have side effects what the NSAIDS have.
• There are no side-effects to homeopathic treatment.
• Timely homeopathic treatment can prevent the use of surgery.