Do You Feel Numbness in Your Hands at Night?

Do you feel numbness and tingling in your hands at night? Or do you find relief when you wake up at night due to pain and shake your hands? You may be experiencing "carpal tunnel syndrome," which can sometimes be confused with cervical disc herniation (neck hernia). The Orthopedics and Traumatology specialists at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental have provided information about carpal tunnel syndrome.

It occurs due to nerve compression within a canal

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can develop as a result of compression of the median nerve within the canal on the palm side, passing through the wrist. The median nerve and the tendons that enable finger movement are located within this canal. The primary function of the median nerve in the hand is to provide sensation to the first three fingers and half of the fourth finger. Therefore, compression of the median nerve within the canal and the disorders it causes constitute hand and wrist diseases.

It is more common in those who frequently use their hands and wrists

Hand and wrist canal diseases are generally more common in people who use and strain their hand strength excessively. The incidence of this disease is quite high especially in women who are housewives and perform housework continuously, in workers who work with their hands, in musicians, in those who frequently use a keyboard, in pregnant women, and in people who have suffered a wrist fracture. Carpal tunnel syndrome is seen 4 times more often in people over 40 years of age, especially in women aged 40-60.

Numbness and tingling in the fingers is the most important sign!

The first symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are most notably numbness, tingling and sensory disturbance in the fingers. Pain spreading to the hand, fingers and arm occurs. People with this syndrome may feel numbness at their fingertips. In particular, they may feel numbness, swelling and tingling at night, and the pain may even wake them from sleep. In very advanced stages of the disease, over the years, muscle wasting (thinning due to muscle atrophy) at the base of the thumb, weakness, and difficulty with gripping and grasping may develop.

It can be confused with the symptoms of cervical disc herniation

Carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently confused with cervical disc herniation because of similar symptoms. For this reason, making an accurate diagnosis first is of great importance. Carpal tunnel syndrome is not a hereditary disease; however, it must be treated early and correctly, before severe nerve damage occurs. If it is not treated in time, complete recovery may not be achieved and disabilities may develop.

Muscles should be strengthened with regular treatment and exercise!

Treatment primarily aims to reduce swelling first, using painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce edema. When painkillers are not sufficient after a certain period, cortisone treatment is applied. The most important requirement for treating this condition is to avoid all types of work that overly strain the hand and wrist. The wrist should not be kept continuously bent, heavy loads should not be lifted, and tasks that strain the hands should not be performed. Muscles should be strengthened by performing hand and wrist strengthening exercises recommended by your doctor, and these exercises should be done as regularly as possible.