Carpal tunnel syndrome: symptoms and consequences
The carpal tunnel is strained by both manual work and working at a computer. Carpal tunnel syndrome is accompanied by tingling and numbness of the hands. We advise you how to prevent it. Long-term work at the computer has a negative effect on our health. Sitting in one position for hours causes muscle stiffness and back pain. The harsh blue light of the monitor has a negative effect on our eyesight and even affects our sleep. A lesser-known syndrome of working at a computer, however, is the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome. Initially innocent hand numbness can develop into serious health complications, so we should try to prevent them at the first sign. How to do it?
In the article you will learn:
Carpal tunnel syndrome – a pitfall in the office
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common nerve affections of the upper limbs. There may be several causes, but it is often referred to as an occupational disease. Through the carpal tunnel, blood vessels, nerves and tendons pass from the forearm to the palm. Overloading the hand can cause pressure on the nerve, leading to tingling, numbness or burning. It often arises as a result of manual work, wrist overuse or repetitive, monotonous activity. One such activity is working at a computer, where the hands are in an unnatural position for long periods of time.
Good equipment is essential
Every craft is characterized by equipment, without which the final product would not be of sufficient quality. In the same way that a carpenter can’t create smooth lines out of raw pieces of wood without good tools, you can’t work to your full potential when you’re uncomfortable and can’t concentrate. Such discomfort can be caused by an unnatural position of the hand placed on the mouse. Even a simple gel mouse and keyboard pad can relieve this tension, because it’s moulded just right for the comfort of your hand.
Exercise your hands
After an hour of sedentary work, a short movement or exercise is recommended to loosen up the back. The same advice applies to your hands. Several times a day, stretch your wrists, fingers, forearms, shoulders or neck thoroughly. You shouldn’t forget your arms and torso either. Although these parts may seem distant from the problem area, everything in our body is interconnected. Always stretch your muscles only as much as your body allows. Violent straining of the limbs can cause muscles to pull.
Get rid of bad habits
The occurrence of carpal tunnel can also be facilitated by improper sitting. In addition to poor posture, resting your wrists on a table can lead to tingling and numbness in your fingers. When working at the computer, it is therefore advisable to keep your wrists in the air, or to prop your hands up so that your wrists feel comfortable and are in a relaxed position. It is the cramps that may be the trigger for this syndrome. It is important to keep your hands warm, as cold also causes muscle tension.
Take care of your health
Although the degree of heredity is often discussed in carpal disease, people who are overweight, have diabetes or rheumatism are more susceptible to the disease. It is therefore important to keep yourself in good health. If you experience the first symptoms and you are a smoker, you should quit the habit. This is because smoking impairs blood circulation in the body, which contributes to the worsening of carpal disease. In addition, women who are going through hormonal changes are more likely to suffer from this syndrome and are thus more susceptible to it.
Avoid heavy weights
Although carpal tunnel is often associated with sedentary work, frequent overuse of the hands can also cause numbness and tingling. Always ask for help when lifting heavy weights that cause you physical problems. This will not only prevent unpleasant tingling in your fingertips, but also more serious health complications such as hernia. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, you also need to watch out for a condition called tennis elbow, which is related to an overuse injury on the outside of the elbow and arises in a similar way to carpal disease.
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