What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition of the wrist in which the median nerve is injured or depressed due to repeated use of the wrist or a physical injury.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by increased pressure on the median nerve. Median nerve is an important nerve on the hand; it gives sensation to thumb, middle, ring and index fingers. This nerve is protected by carpal tunnel, which is a thick band of muscles around the median nerve. Though this muscular sheath is very strong and hard and is meant to protect the nerves inside it, it can get depressed due to repeated use of the wrist. In such a case, the carpal tunnel becomes smaller, and the nerves inside it may get depressed or damaged, causing considerable pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women than in men. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness and pain in the hand. This syndrome affects hands and wrists. A similar condition may also occur in the ankles as well. The bone and joint mechanism in the ankles is very similar to that of the wrist and an injury to the ankle may cause a condition known as the tarsal tunnel syndrome.



The word ‘carpal’ is derived from the Greek word ‘carpus’. Carpus means ‘wrist’ in Greek. The joint mechanism of the wrist is very delicate and can be very easily disturbed. Such a disturbance can cause a lot of pain in the wrist. There are several different conditions that may cause the squeezing of the thick sheath of muscles. The median nerve may get irritated due to undue pressure on the median nerve. This may not only cause pain in the wrist, but also tingling, pain, and numbness in the thumb, index finger, and the middle finger.

Pain, Weakness and Numbness

Carpal tunnel syndrome mainly affects the median nerve. The median nerve brings sensation in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the fourth of the finger as well. This may initially cause tingling and pain in these digits. However, with continued pressure on the carpal tunnel, the pain and weakness in the wrist may increase.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are gradual. Pain, weakness and numbness starts on hands and wrists, then slowly moves up towards the arms. Electric shock may be experienced on the hands. Numbness is mainly experienced in thumb, index finger, ring finger, or middle finger. Hands and wrists may become weak.

There may be trouble in gripping any object. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms become more severe at night. There may be difficulty in performing manual tasks using hands.

The signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, though gradual, are often very severe and may increase with the increasing use of the wrist and the joint mechanism of the wrist. If you do not know what the carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are, discuss them with your doctor to ascertain that the symptoms you are experiencing are indeed those of carpal tunnel.

Pressure Exerted on the Median Nerve

So What is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Caused by? The main cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is the pressure exerted on the median nerve. Carpel tunnel which protects the median nerve has almost no room for expansion, so any swelling around the tunnel exerts pressure on the median nerve.

It may also be caused by repeated wrist movements or any injury to the wrist. Working on the computer for long hours, typing, or overuse of gaming remote controls are some of the other causes of damage to the carpal tunnel. Almost always, it is the overuse of the wrist that causes the inflammation of the carpal tunnel and the depression of the median nerve.

Eventually, this pressure on the nerve can cause a lot of damage. Permanent damage to the carpal tunnel or the median nerve may cause the wrist to be completely unusable.

Kidney Failure

Kidney failure can cause fluid retention in the carpal tunnel. This will exert pressure on the median nerve. It may occur during pregnancy or when a woman is on contraceptive pills. Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome may also be caused due to kidney failure. Kidney failure is often considered the cause of pain and tingling sensations in the unaffected hand as well.

Bad posture, paired with kidney disorder, is often a cause of inflammation of the carpal tunnels, leading to bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The edema or fluid retention experienced during pregnancy is often also a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy.

Carpel syndrome relief during pregnancy can be obtained by consulting a doctor for the same. There are many other causes of carpal tunnel syndrome as well, but most of these are related to overuse of the wrists, bad postures and injuries to the wrist.

Causes in women

Some women may complain of carpal tunnel syndrome during menopause. There are a lot of hormonal imbalances that occur during the period of menopause in women. The hormones can cause atrophy of the muscles and may also cause edema. As the water retention in the carpal tunnel increases, the median nerve becomes depressed. Also, repetitive use of the tendons causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other Causes

Sometimes obesity can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Some physical characteristics like narrower carpal tunnel can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Such a narrower carpal tunnel may usually occur due to a congenital defect. The carpal tunnel syndrome treatment depends on the cause of the condition. However, most of the treatment is surgical and aims to increase the space in the tunnel.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Remedies

There are many simple things that you can do to keep carpal tunnel syndrome at bay. One of the easiest things to do is to use fat tool handles. If your tool handles are not fat then use some rubber grip to fatten it.

This makes them easier to grip and reduces the pressure on the carpal tunnel. Also keep this tip in mind if you like to workout with free weights. Keep knives and other cutting tools sharp so that less pressure is exerted on the median nerve. Do not hold a pen with a tight grip while writing. Once again, when buying a pen opt for one that has a thicker grip.



Always wear a wrist splint, especially at night. For carpel tunnel relief at night a splint is the best option. If the pain is severe, you can also wear the carpel tunnel splint while working on the computer. There are special wrist supports available in the market, which are specifically designed for people who are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome. They support your wrist while allowing you to manipulate a mouse or type on a keyboard with ease.



Carpel tunnel relief can also be got by using ice. You can apply an ice pack on your aching wrist, as it will lessen the pain. If ice is unavailable, go for a hot treatment. Apply a heating pad on the aching wrist and leave it on for some time. Carpel tunnel syndrome treatment at home involves the use of preventive measures and exercises. However, it is best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diet

You need to include vitamin B, especially vitamin B6, in your diet. Avoid packaged foods because it contains tartrazine which interferes with the absorption of vitamin B6in the body. Some of the food items that contain tartrazine include packaged ice creams and puddings, yellow or orange colored aerated beverages, margarine and butter, yoghurt, skim milk, tinned vegetables and fruit, and candy.

Although it is not always possible to avoid consuming tartrazine due to its widespread usage, you can counteract it by consuming good quantities of foods that are rich in vitamin B6. Some of the food sources that are rich in vitamin B6 include meat products such as chicken, turkey, pork, and salmon. Good vegetarian sources of vitamin B6 include potatoes, chick peas, sunflower seeds, and bok choy. Fruits such as avocados, mangoes, and bananas are also rich in vitamin B6.

Other Suggestions for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Obese people should shed some weight. Excess body weight means that there is excessive stress placed on all parts of your body every time you carry out some physical activity. If you are overweight, consult a dietician or personal trainer so that you can shed some fat and become fitter. You can even make your own diet and exercise program to lose weight.

Just remember to start off slow and increase the intensity and duration of exercise moderately. Do consult a doctor if you are not used to exercising regularly.



If you have to work long hours at a computer, take a break at regular intervals and do some stretching exercises of hands and fingers. Carpel tunnel syndrome exercises include stretching and flexing of the wrist, hand and fingers. These carpel tunnel relief exercises can also help in preventing carpel tunnel syndrome.

It is also important to ensure that your workstation is ergonomically designed to minimize the strain on your eyes, neck, shoulders, back, hands, wrists, and legs. The seating posture should be upright with a good backrest to support the weight of the spine. The keyboard and mouse should be at a level so that your wrists are in a neutral position when you are using them. The mouse and any other equipment should be within easy reach so you can get to it without straining yourself.


It is also important to ensure that you do not sit or stand in the same position for a long time. Take frequent breaks, stretch your legs, go for a walk, or simply head out to the nearest coffee machine. You can also take this time to perform some simple stretches to restore blood circulation to all parts of your body.