What are the early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed. What are the most effective treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. Who is at higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented or managed at home. What complications can arise from untreated carpal tunnel syndrome. When should you seek medical attention for carpal tunnel symptoms.

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Overview

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting the hand and wrist. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the palm, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. This compression can lead to a range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe pain and loss of function.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, formed by bones and ligaments. This tunnel houses the median nerve and tendons that control finger movement. When the tissues surrounding these tendons swell or other factors cause the tunnel to narrow, pressure on the median nerve increases, resulting in CTS symptoms.

Key Facts About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• CTS is the most common entrapment neuropathy
• It affects the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger
• Symptoms often appear gradually and worsen over time
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent nerve damage
• Women are three times more likely than men to develop CTS

Recognizing the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically develop gradually and can vary in intensity. Recognizing these symptoms early can lead to more effective treatment and prevent long-term complications.

Early Symptoms of CTS

• Numbness or tingling in the fingers, especially the thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Sensations that often occur at night or upon waking
• A feeling of swollen or useless fingers
• Mild pain in the fingers or wrist

Advanced Symptoms of CTS

• Persistent tingling or pain during daily activities
• Decreased grip strength and difficulty with fine motor tasks
• Muscle atrophy at the base of the thumb in severe cases
• Inability to distinguish between hot and cold by touch

Why do CTS symptoms often worsen at night? This phenomenon is likely due to fluid redistribution when lying down, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel. Additionally, many people sleep with their wrists bent, further compressing the median nerve.

Causes and Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome often results from a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve. While a single cause may not always be identifiable, several risk factors can contribute to the development of CTS.

Common Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Repetitive hand and wrist movements
• Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause)
• Wrist injuries or fractures
• Certain medical conditions (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders)
• Anatomical factors (smaller carpal tunnel)

Is carpal tunnel syndrome solely caused by repetitive motions at work? While repetitive motions can contribute to CTS, it’s not the only cause. Many individuals who develop CTS have never worked in jobs requiring repetitive hand movements. The condition results from a complex interplay of factors, including genetics, overall health, and lifestyle.

Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Tests and Procedures

Accurate diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers use a combination of physical examinations, patient history, and diagnostic tests to confirm CTS and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Diagnostic Approaches for CTS

1. Physical examination: Assessing hand strength, sensation, and signs of muscle atrophy
2. Tinel’s test: Tapping the median nerve to elicit tingling sensations
3. Phalen’s test: Holding the wrists in a flexed position to provoke symptoms
4. Nerve conduction studies: Measuring the speed of nerve signals through the wrist
5. Electromyography (EMG): Evaluating electrical activity in hand muscles
6. Imaging tests: X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI to rule out other conditions

How accurate are these diagnostic tests for CTS? While no single test is 100% accurate, combining multiple diagnostic approaches significantly increases the accuracy of CTS diagnosis. Nerve conduction studies and EMG are particularly useful in confirming the condition and assessing its severity.

Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome aims to relieve pressure on the median nerve and alleviate symptoms. The approach depends on the severity of the condition and may range from conservative measures to surgical intervention.

Non-Surgical Treatments for CTS

• Wrist splinting, especially at night
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Physical therapy and nerve gliding exercises
• Workplace ergonomic modifications

Surgical Treatment for CTS

When conservative treatments fail to provide relief, or in cases of severe CTS, surgical intervention may be necessary. The most common surgical procedure for CTS is carpal tunnel release, which involves cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure on the median nerve.

What is the success rate of carpal tunnel release surgery? The success rate for carpal tunnel release surgery is generally high, with most patients experiencing significant improvement in symptoms. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks and potential complications to consider.

Preventing and Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

While not all cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented, certain strategies can help reduce the risk of developing CTS or manage its symptoms effectively.

Prevention Strategies for CTS

• Maintaining proper posture and ergonomics at work
• Taking regular breaks during repetitive activities
• Performing hand and wrist stretching exercises
• Using tools and equipment designed to reduce wrist strain
• Managing underlying health conditions that may contribute to CTS

Self-Care Techniques for CTS Management

1. Applying cold packs to reduce swelling
2. Using heat therapy to improve blood flow and reduce stiffness
3. Practicing yoga or hand exercises to improve flexibility
4. Avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms when possible
5. Using ergonomic keyboards and mouse devices

Can lifestyle changes alone prevent or cure carpal tunnel syndrome? While lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce the risk of developing CTS and help manage symptoms, they may not be sufficient to prevent or cure all cases. For individuals with severe symptoms or underlying medical conditions contributing to CTS, professional medical treatment may be necessary.

Complications and Long-Term Outlook of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to various complications and have a significant impact on quality of life. Understanding the potential long-term effects of CTS emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Potential Complications of Untreated CTS

• Permanent nerve damage
• Chronic pain and numbness
• Loss of hand function and dexterity
• Muscle atrophy, particularly in the thumb
• Decreased ability to perform daily activities

Long-Term Prognosis for CTS Patients

The long-term outlook for individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome varies depending on the severity of the condition and the timeliness of treatment. Many patients experience significant improvement with proper management, while others may have persistent symptoms.

What factors influence the long-term prognosis of CTS? The outcome of CTS treatment depends on several factors, including the duration and severity of symptoms before treatment, the underlying cause of CTS, the chosen treatment approach, and the patient’s adherence to treatment recommendations and lifestyle modifications.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Recognizing when to consult a healthcare provider about carpal tunnel symptoms is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment. While mild symptoms may sometimes be managed at home, certain signs warrant professional medical attention.

Signs You Should See a Doctor for CTS

• Persistent numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
• Weakness in the hand affecting daily activities
• Symptoms that worsen despite home care measures
• Pain that extends beyond the wrist to the arm or shoulder
• Visible muscle wasting at the base of the thumb

How quickly should you seek medical attention for CTS symptoms? If you experience persistent symptoms that interfere with your daily activities or sleep, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider within a few weeks. However, if you have sudden onset of severe symptoms or loss of sensation, seeking immediate medical attention is recommended to rule out other potentially serious conditions.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, while common, can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life if left untreated. By understanding its symptoms, causes, and treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to manage the condition effectively. Early intervention and a comprehensive approach to treatment, combining medical care with lifestyle modifications, offer the best chance for a positive outcome and long-term relief from CTS symptoms.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. You may feel numbness, weakness, pain in your hand and wrist, and your fingers may become swollen and useless. You might wake up and feel you need to “shake out” your hand or wrist.

The median nerve and the tendons that bend the fingers pass through the carpal tunnel—a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand. The median nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index, and middle finger, and part of the ring finger (but not the little finger). It also controls some small muscles at the base of the thumb.

Sometimes, thickening from the lining of irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve. CTS is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies, in which one of the body’s peripheral nerves is pressed on or squeezed.

You can sometimes treat carpal tunnel syndrome at home, but it may take months to heal. Your doctor can recommend treatments. CTS rarely recurs following treatment and home care.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent numbness or tingling in the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night. The dominant hand is usually affected first and procures the most severe symptoms. Early symptoms include:

• Numbness, particularly at night  
• A feeling the fingers are useless or swollen
• A tingling sensation or pain in the fingers.

As symptoms worsen, people might feel:

• Tingling during the day, especially with certain activities such as talking on the phone, reading a book or newspaper, or driving

• Mild to severe pain, sometimes worse at night 
• Some loss of movement in the hand

• Hand weakness may make it difficult to grasp small objects or perform other manual tasks.

In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may shrink and waste away. Some people with very severe CTS cannot determine between hot and cold by touch and may burn their fingertips without knowing it.

Who is more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Sometimes no single cause can be identified. Contributing factors may include:

• Trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture
• Imbalance of either the pituitary gland or the thyroid gland
• Rheumatoid arthritis or other arthritic diseases
• Mechanical problems in the wrist joint
• Repeated use of vibrating hand tools
• Fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause
• Development of a cyst or tumor in the canal
• Sex—women are three times more likely than men to develop CTS
• Having diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body’s nerves and make them more susceptible to compression
• Repeated sleeping on a bent wrist
• Increasing age—CTS usually occurs only in adults.

The risk of developing CTS is not confined to people in a single industry or job but may be more reported in those performing assembly line work—such as manufacturing, sewing, finishing, cleaning, and meatpacking—than it is among data-entry personnel. Many people who have CTS report never have working at these types of jobs.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosing CTS

Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve.

• Physical exam. Your doctor will examine your hands, arms, shoulders, and neck to determine if your complaints are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder and to rule out other conditions that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. Your wrist will be checked for tenderness, swelling, warmth, and discoloration. Your fingers will be tested for sensation, along with muscles at the base of the hand for strength and signs of atrophy.
• Routine laboratory tests and X-rays can reveal fractures, arthritis, and nerve-damaging diseases such as diabetes.
• Specific wrist tests may produce the symptoms of CTS.
  • In the Tinel test, the doctor taps on or presses on the median nerve in your wrist. The test is positive when tingling in the fingers or a resultant shock-like sensation occurs.
  • The Phalen, or wrist-flexion, test involves having you hold your forearms upright by pointing the fingers down and pressing the backs of the hands together. If you have CTS, you should feel tingling or increasing numbness in your fingers within 1 minute. Your doctor may also ask you to try to make a movement that brings on symptoms.
• Electrodiagnostic tests may help confirm the diagnosis of CTSs.
  • A nerve conduction study measures how quickly impulses are transmitted along a nerve. Electrodes are placed on your hand and wrist and a small electric shock is  applied and the speed with which nerves transmit impulses is measured
  • In electromyography, a fine needle is inserted into a muscle and electrical activity is viewed on a screen to determine the severity of damage to the median nerve.
• Diagnostic imaging also can help diagnose CTS or show problems.
  • Ultrasound imaging can show an abnormal size of the median nerve.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show the anatomy of the wrist but to date has not been especially useful in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treating CTS

Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible, under a doctor’s direction.  Underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated first.

Non-surgical treatments

• Splinting.   Initial treatment is usually a splint worn at night.
• Avoiding daytime activities that may provoke symptoms.  If you have slight discomfort you may wish to take frequent breaks from tasks, to rest the hand.  If the wrist is red, warm and swollen, applying cool packs can help.
• Over-the-counter drugs.  In special circumstances, various medications can ease the pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may provide some short-term relief from discomfort but haven’t been shown to treat CTS.
• Prescription medicines.  Corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or the drug lidocaine can be injected directly into your wrist or taken by mouth (in the case of prednisone) to relieve pressure on the median nerve if you have mild or intermittent symptoms. (Check first with your doctor if you have diabetes or may be predisposed to it, as prolonged use of corticosteroids can make it difficult to regulate insulin levels. )
• Exercise. Ask your doctor about hand exercises that might help with pain.
• Alternative therapies. Yoga has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among those with CTS. Other alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, have benefited some people with CTS but their effectiveness remains unproved.
• Vocational or occupational therapy. You may need to learn new ways to perform certain tasks or job skills that will not complicate or worsen your CTS.

Surgery

• Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. It may be recommended when non-surgical treatments are ineffective or if the disorder has become severe. Carpal tunnel surgery involves cutting a ligament to relieve the pressure on the nerve. Surgery is usually done under local or regional anesthesia (involving some sedation) and does not require an overnight hospital stay. Many people require surgery on both hands.
• Open release surgery is the traditional procedure used to correct carpal tunnel syndrome. It consists of making an incision up to 2 inches in your wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. The procedure is generally done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, unless there are unusual medical conditions.
• Endoscopic surgery may allow somewhat faster functional recovery and less postoperative discomfort than traditional open release surgery but it may also have a higher risk of complications and the need for additional surgery. The surgeon makes one or two incisions (about ½ inch each) in your wrist and palm, inserts a camera attached to a tube, observes the nerve, ligament, and tendons on a monitor, and cuts the carpal ligament (the tissue that holds joints together) with a small knife that is inserted through the tube. Following the surgery, the ligaments usually grow back together and allow more space than before. Your symptoms may be relieved immediately after surgery, but full recovery can take months. You may have infections, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar. Almost always there is a decrease in grip strength, which improves over time. You may need to modify work activity for several weeks following surgery or need to adjust job duties or even change jobs after recovery from surgery.   

Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following treatment is rare. Less than half of individuals report their hand(s) feeling completely normal following surgery. Some residual numbness or weakness is common.

How can self-care or lifestyle changes support a treatment plan for carpal tunnel syndrome?

At night, keep your wrist straight while resting or asleep to prevent pressing on the nerve and carpal tunnel.

Tasks at home or work, along with workstations, tools, and tool handles, can be redesigned to help your wrist maintain a natural position during work.  Wearing fingerless gloves can help keep hands warm and flexible.  At the workplace, workers can do on-the-job conditioning, perform stretching exercises, take frequent rest breaks, and use correct posture and wrist position.   Jobs can be rotated among workers.  Employers can develop ergonomic programs to adapt workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of workers. 

What are the latest updates on carpal tunnel syndrome?

The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is to seek fundamental knowledge of the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease.  The NINDS is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the leading supporter of biomedical research in the world. NINDS is the leading NIH funding Institute on nerve disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome.

Scientists supported by NINDS are studying the factors that lead to long-lasting neuropathies (diseases or malfunction of nerves), and how the affected nerves are related to symptoms of pain, numbness, and functional loss. Researchers also are examining biomechanical stresses that contribute to the nerve damage responsible for symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in order to better understand, treat, and prevent CTS and other costly and disabling occupational illnesses.

Scientists funded through NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health are investigating the effects of acupuncture on pain, loss of median nerve function, and changes in the brain associated with CTS. In addition, a randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment in conjunction with standard medical care is underway. Evaluations of these therapies and other therapies will help to tailor individual treatment programs.

Another NIH component, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders (NIAMS), supports research on tissue damage associated with repetitive motion disorders, including CTS. Scientists have developed animal models that are helping to understand and characterize connective tissue in hopes of reducing harmful tissue buildup and identifying new treatments.

More information about carpal tunnel syndrome research supported by NINDS and other NIH Institutes and Centers can be found using NIH RePORTER, a searchable database of current and past research projects supported by NIH and other federal agencies.  RePORTER also includes links to publications and resources from these projects.

For research articles and summaries on carpal tunnel syndrome, search PubMed, which contains citations from medical journals and other sites.

file-medical

Learn About Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are studies that allow us to learn more about disorders and improve care. They can help connect patients with new and upcoming treatment options.

How can I or my loved one help improve care for someone with carpal tunnel syndrome?

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with CTS at Clinicaltrials.gov.
 

Where can I find more information about carpal tunnel syndrome?

The following resources may help individuals, families, friends, and caregivers of people living with CTS:

Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
Phone: 877-883-9942

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Phone: 301-496-8190 or 877-226-4267

Information about CTS is also available: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Phone: 800-311-3435 or 404-639-3311

National Library of Medicine
Phone: 301-496-6308 or 888-346-3656

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Phone: 800-321-6742

Learn about related topics

• Repetitive Motion Disorders 

10 Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Written by Rick Ansorge

• Causes of Tingling in the Hands and Feet
• Diagnosis of Tingling Hands and Feet
• Treatments for Tingling Hands and Feet

Tingling hands, feet, or both is an extremely common and bothersome symptom. Such tingling can sometimes be benign and temporary. For example, it could result from pressure on nerves when your arm is crooked under your head as you fall asleep. Or it could be from pressure on nerves when you cross your legs too long. In either case, the “pins and needles” effect — which is usually painless — is soon relieved by removing the pressure that caused it.

But in many cases, tingling in the hands, feet, or both can be severe, episodic, or chronic. It also can come with other symptoms, such as pain, itching, numbness, and muscle wasting. In such cases, tingling may be a sign of nerve damage, which can result from causes as varied as traumatic injuries or repetitive stress injuries, bacterial or viral infections, toxic exposures, and systemic diseases such as diabetes.

Such nerve damage is known as peripheral neuropathy because it affects nerves distant from the brain and spinal cord, often in the hands and feet. There are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy. Over time, the condition can worsen, making you less mobile and even disabled. More than 20 million Americans, most of them older adults, are estimated to have peripheral neuropathy.

It’s important to get medical help right away for any tingling in your hands, feet, or both that’s lasted a while. The earlier the cause of your tingling is found and brought under control, the less likely you are to get what could be lifelong problems.

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy, accounting for about 30% of cases. In diabetic neuropathy, tingling and other symptoms often first develop in both feet and go up the legs, followed by tingling and other symptoms that affect both hands and go up the arms. About two-thirds of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve damage. In many cases, these symptoms are the first signs of diabetes.

In another 30% of peripheral neuropathy cases, the cause is unknown, or “idiopathic.”

The remaining 40% of cases have a variety of causes such as:

Nerve entrapment syndromes. These include carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve palsy, peroneal nerve palsy, and radial nerve palsy.

Systemic diseases. These include kidney disorders, liver disease, vascular damage and blood diseases, amyloidosis, connective tissue disorders and chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances (including hypothyroidism), and cancers and benign tumors that impinge on nerves.

Vitamin deficiencies. You need vitamins E, B1, B6, B12, and niacin for healthy nerves. A B12 deficiency, for example, can lead to pernicious anemia, an important cause of peripheral neuropathy. But too much B6 also can cause tingling in the hands and feet.

Alcoholism. People who have alcoholism are more likely to lack thiamine or other important vitamins because of poor dietary habits, a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. It’s also possible that alcoholism itself can cause nerve damage, a condition that some researchers call alcoholic neuropathy.

Toxins. These include heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and thallium, and some industrial and environmental chemicals. They also include certain medications — especially chemotherapy drugs used for lung cancer — but also some antiviral and antibiotic drugs.

Infections. These include Lyme disease, shingles (varicella zoster), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex, and HIV and AIDS.

Autoimmune diseases. These include chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Inherited disorders. These include a group that may have sensory and motor symptoms; the most common type is known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Injury. Often related to trauma, nerves can be compressed, crushed, or damaged in other ways, resulting in nerve pain. Examples include nerve compression caused by a herniated disk or dislocated bone.

Multiple sclerosis. The disease causes your body’s immune system to attack the fatty myelin sheath around nerve fibers in your brain and spine. Tingling in the hands and feet is a common symptom.

If you seek care for your tingling hands or feet, your health care provider will do a physical exam and take an extensive medical history addressing your symptoms, work environment, social habits (including alcohol use), toxic exposure, risk of HIV or other infectious diseases, and family history of neurological disease.

They also may perform other tests, such as:

• Blood tests. These can include tests to detect diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, liver or kidney dysfunction, other metabolic disorders, and signs of abnormal immune system activity.
• An examination of cerebrospinal fluid. This can identify antibodies associated with peripheral neuropathy.
• An electromyogram (EMG), a test of the electrical activity of muscle
• Nerve conduction velocity (NCV)

Other tests may include:

• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Nerve biopsy
• Skin biopsy to look at nerve fiber endings

Successful treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the tingling. As long as the peripheral nerve cells have not been killed, they can regenerate.

Although there are no treatments for inherited types of peripheral neuropathy, many of the acquired types can be improved with treatment. For example, good blood sugar control in diabetes can help keep diabetic neuropathy from getting worse, and vitamin supplements can correct peripheral neuropathy in people with vitamin deficiencies.

General lifestyle recommendations include keeping weight in check, avoiding exposure to toxins, following a doctor-supervised exercise program, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding or limiting alcohol. Recommendations also include quitting smoking, which constricts blood supply to blood vessels supplying nutrients to peripheral nerves.

In some cases, tingling and other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may be eased with prescriptions developed for treating seizures and depression.

Top Picks

Scientists have found out what tingling in the fingers indicates

https://ria. ru/20210917/vitamin-1750435091.html RIA Novosti, 09/17/2021

Scientists have found out what tingling in the fingers indicates2021-09-17T01:11

2021-09-17T01:11

2021-09-17T11:43

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MOSCOW, September 17 – RIA Novosti. Tingling and numbness of the fingers and toes may indicate a deficiency in the human body of a vital vitamin, writes the British Express edition, citing the results of research by scientists from the University of Michigan Public Health. We are talking about vitamin B12. Its lack can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes discomfort in the arms and legs. Numbness and tingling, experts say, should not be scary, however, if such symptoms are observed too often, you should consult a doctor, undergo an examination and begin treatment. .B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, also called cobalamin. He is not only responsible for the functioning of the nervous system, but is involved in the production of red blood cells and DNA. Deficiency of this nutrient can lead to nerve damage and cause tingling and numbness in the arms and legs, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes. Previously, it was known that a thick and reddened tongue could be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency, a lack of which increases the risk of pernicious anemia.

https://ria.ru/20210310/anemiya-1600542847.html

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MOSCOW, September 17 – RIA Novosti. Tingling and numbness of the fingers and toes may indicate a deficiency in the human body of a vital vitamin, writes the British edition of Express, citing the results of research by scientists from the University of Michigan Public Health.

This is vitamin B ₁₂ . Its deficiency can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes discomfort in the arms and legs.

Numbness and tingling, experts say, should not be frightening, however, if such symptoms are observed too often, you should consult a doctor, undergo an examination and begin treatment.

B ₁₂ is a water soluble vitamin also called cobalamin. He is not only responsible for the functioning of the nervous system, but is involved in the production of red blood cells and DNA. Deficiency of this nutrient can lead to nerve damage and cause tingling and numbness in the arms and legs, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes.

A syndrome that causes a feeling of extreme fatigue is revealed

March 10, 2021, 00:55

It was previously known that a thick and reddened tongue can be a sign of vitamin B deficiency ₁₂ , the lack of which increases the risk of pernicious anemia.

SM-Clinic cardiologist spoke about the causes of hand swelling in adults

Edema of the hands occurs quite often, and can be a manifestation of physiological changes or one of the symptoms of pathology. When should edema alert and where to address the problem?

ALENA PARETSKAYA

Pathophysiologist, immunologist, member

St. Petersburg Society of Pathophysiologists


ANDREY GRACHEV

Leading cardiologist of the holding

SM-Clinic, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences

Swelling of the hand is a cause for concern if it occurs frequently or almost daily, is accompanied by additional symptoms, is aggravated or is not eliminated by simple methods.

What you need to know about hand swelling

• Why does the hand swell
• How to relieve swelling
• Questions and answers

Why the hand swells in adults

Swelling of the arm or both at once may be physiological or be a sign of pathology. It may be localized or spread to surrounding tissues. With swelling, the limb increases in volume, discomfort, soreness, and inconvenience when performing precise finger movements may be felt. It is difficult to remove the rings from the fingers or the watch from the wrist.

Swelling in the right or left arm occurs when the blood or lymphatic vessels are compressed by items of clothing during sleep. Swelling of the fingers and hands, which is especially noticeable if you remove rings or watches, occurs after alcohol or excess salty foods, fluids at night.

Right hand

A small local edema, if the mobility of the limb is preserved, is possible with bruises. In the area of ​​​​edema, there may be soreness, redness, bruises or abrasions may appear. If it is a hematoma, the edema will be more pronounced, a seal is determined under the skin, in the center of which fluctuation (fluid movement) is felt. Swelling is typical for sprains in the area of ​​the carpal, elbow or shoulder joint, with torn ligaments or their rupture. Severe pain is characteristic, which increases with movement, if the ligaments are torn, it is almost impossible to move the hand.

Edema is possible with fractures of bones, dislocations of joints. Then there is pain, limb deformity, complete impossibility of movement.

Edema may appear with frostbite of the fingers, burns, infectious processes in the area of ​​the hand, forearm or shoulder.

Left hand

Swelling of the finger of the left hand (as well as the right one) is possible with panaritium – suppuration in the phalanx. If it is a deeper lesion, the edema passes to the hand. Carbuncles or boils on any part of the arm can also lead to swelling. In this case, cyanosis or a purple area with suppuration is visible in the center of the inflamed focus. Edema is possible with suppuration of wounds, erysipelas, purulent arthritis and osteomyelitis.

Joint damage in other forms of arthritis also leads to tissue swelling. With rheumatoid arthritis, the joints of both hands are symmetrically affected, with gout, the fingers swell, with psoriasis, the joints of the fingers and hand.

Edema is typical for joint damage – thrombosis. In addition to edema, a feeling of fullness, pain, thickening of tissues, discoloration of the skin, crawling, and a change in sensitivity are typical.

Morning

Lymphatic edema is possible after operations to remove the mammary gland, if the axillary lymph nodes were excised. Puffiness may increase or appear in the morning with malformations of the lymphatic capillaries, with post-burn scars, thrombophlebitis, lymphadenitis. Without treatment, swelling can become permanent.

Hand edema also occurs against the background of heart failure. In the morning they are minimal, intensify in the evening. In contrast, renal swelling of the hands is most pronounced in the morning and decreases or disappears during the day.

Pregnancy

Puffiness in the fingers or hands is due to hormonal changes, especially as the pregnancy progresses. In the first trimester, a slight swelling of the fingers is typical, which is almost not noticeable. By the third trimester, swelling can be pronounced, making it difficult to wear rings, watches, bracelets. Puffiness gradually disappears in the first days after childbirth.

However, pathological edema associated with hypertension, excess weight gain and the development of preeclampsia is also possible in pregnant women. Then the appearance of protein in the urine, a pronounced weight gain per week, severe swelling of the arms and legs, face, and body are typical.

How to relieve hand swelling in adults

At home or for first aid, you need to give your hand an elevated position.

If this is an injury, the hand should be immobilized with a bandage or splint, a cold compress should be applied to the affected area, and an anesthetic should be taken.

If these are diseases of the joints, it is necessary to use painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs locally and orally. If the swelling develops quickly, with severe pain and dysfunction of the hand, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Doctors can use two options for treating edema – conservative and surgical. It depends on the cause, the severity of the condition, and possible complications. In case of injuries, emergency care, bandages, anti-inflammatory drugs, anesthesia are indicated.

In vascular edema, antispasmodic, angioprotective and phlebotonic drugs are used.

Physiotherapy, gymnastics, massage or manual therapy are also prescribed.

If the injury is serious or severe lesions of blood vessels, bones, joints are detected, the edema is not eliminated, surgical interventions are used.

Popular Questions and Answers

Edema can be a short-term phenomenon and does not threaten anything. But sometimes they are symptoms of dangerous conditions. Andrey Grachev, a cardiologist, helped us figure out the problem.

Why is hand swelling dangerous?

Swelling is often a sign of a serious infection, cancer, heart or kidney problems. And if the swelling is persistent, then the disease has worsened or is rapidly progressing. Edema can be complicated by tissue malnutrition, skin inflammation, stretch marks, and discoloration.

When should I see a doctor for swollen hands?

In any situation when you notice swelling of your hands – in the morning, in the evening or during the day, you need a doctor’s consultation and at least a minimal set of tests and examinations. Edema itself is a symptom of problems in the body, and you need to find out what caused it.

Is it possible to remove swelling of the hands with folk remedies?

There are a number of diuretic decoctions and infusions, but it is extremely dangerous to use them on your own, not knowing what the causes of edema are. This can lead to a worsening of the situation, an electrolyte imbalance, a sharp decrease in pressure, dehydration and malaise.

In addition, various traditional medicines can cause allergies, worsen the condition, negatively affect the effects of the drugs taken and have a number of contraindications for taking.