What exactly is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS)? 

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain, weakness, tingling and numbness in the thumb, index finger and middle fingers. Symptoms often occur at night, especially in people who sleep with their wrists flexed. But as the condition progresses, you might feel tingling during the day. It might become difficult to make a fist, grasp small objects or do other tasks with your hands

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is compression of the median nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel, which is the small tunnel made of bones and ligaments in the base of the hand. It can be related to certain medical conditions, hereditary factors, and repetitive motions of the wrist or hands for an extended period of time.  

CTS can be a result of many factors arising from work and lifestyle, health, injuries, and even genetic predisposition. The most common cause of CTS is repetitive hand motion. Common symptoms include tingling, numbness and pain in the hand, which are typically worse at night and can even cause people to awaken from sleep.  

Computer users may find themselves at risk for other hand disorders. These can be caused by repetitive finger motions and contracting the fore arm and wrist muscles for a long periods. Improperly positioning the keyboard or gripping the mouse too tightly can also cause problems 

Three key questions found to predict the diagnosis of CTS:  1. Tingling in at least two of the first four digits. 2. Symptoms worse during the night/on awakening. 3. Improvement on shaking the hand.  

What Should you do if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

 you should rest your hand and avoid activities that cause symptoms. Because bending the wrist can worsen symptoms, many people find that wearing a splint, especially at night, is an effective treatment. Some hand exercises may be helpful, but you should consult a hand therapist for specific recommendations; exercising improperly may cause more problems

Ordinary pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can't treat effectively carpal tunnel syndrome. But corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel may relieve symptoms, especially in younger patients who haven't been suffering for long. On rare occasions, some doctors prescribe corticosteroid pills, but these shouldn't be taken for more than one or two weeks, and people with diabetes shouldn't take them at all. 

Vitamin B6 can ease the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Vitamin B6-rich foods : spinach, greens, baked yellowfin tuna or cod, cauliflower, beans, bananas, raw celery, asparagus, broccoli, garlic, turmeric, watermelon and nuts.  

Radial Deviation

Place your hand in front of you with the palm facing down. Grasp the fingers of the outstretched hand with your opposite hand. Twist the hand toward you until you feel moderate pressure. Be sure to keep the hand horizontal during the exercise

Ulnar Deviation

 Place your hand in front of you with the palm facing down. Grasp the fingers of the outstretched hand with your opposite hand. Twist the hand away from you until you feel moderate pressure. Be sure to keep the hand horizontal during the exercise.  

Wrist Extension against a surface is the use of a surface such as a pad or table to apply pressure to the wrist. A surface will often times provide stronger, more even pressure than your other hand. Hold your arm vertically, then press your hand with the palm facing up onto a firm surface. Apply moderate pressure.

 The Wrist Extension exercise will extend and flex your wrist and hand. Bend one hand forward with the palm facing you. Apply pressure with your fingers from the opposite hand. Apply moderate pressure as you bend your wrist backwards.  

  Use the surface such as a pad or table to apply pressure to the wrist. A surface will often times provide stronger, more even pressure than your other hand. Hold your arm vertically, then press your hand with the palm down onto a firm surface.  

The Wrist Flexion exercise will extend and flex your wrist and hand. Bend one hand backward with the palm facing away from you. Apply pressure with your finger from the opposite hand. Apply moderate pressure as you bend your wrist backwards.