Do I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms?
Maybe…
Several medical conditions have similar Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms. True Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused from pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel at the wrist. Pressure from swelling or pre-existing conditions 
an crowd the carpal tunnel. A qualified medical professional can make the determination for you.
What are the Carpal Tunnel Symptoms?
The median nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel during Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
This results in pain symptoms of…
- Numbness
- Tingling across the wrist palm, thumb and all the fingers, except the little finger, might be present.
Will my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms get worse?
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually progress gradually over weeks and months, or sometimes years.
When the symptoms of CTS are mild, numbness and tingling are experienced. Often symptoms begin at night and affect the dominant hand first. People with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may feel the need to “shake out” or re-position their hands or wrists.
When Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms are moderate, difficulty is experienced getting dressed and holding small objects. It hurts to grasp items or apply pressure to the hands or fingers. Grip strength wanes and there is a tendency to drop things.
When symptoms are severe, the thenar muscles of the thumb lose function. The median nerve supplies sensation to two and a half of these thenar muscles. When the base of the thumb begins losing size due to muscle atrophy, the process has progressed significantly. People may also feel like their hands are swollen even though there are no visible signs of swelling. Or there may be an inability to distinguish between hot or cold sensations.
What steps should I take to determine what I really have?
At Carpal Tunnel Coaching, we believe in taking action before the carpal tunnel symptoms become potentially irreversible. The Carpal Tunnel Coaching team interviewed Dr. Dennis Sagini, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic physician, specializing in hand care. He said,
Dr Dennis Sagini of Fort Myers, Florida
“There are incidences in which people develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and it does improve. There are many non-operative techniques that people can perform on their own at home. Whether it be reduction of an activity that causes swelling, pain and tendonitis, or whether it be resting from a specific activity and wearing night splints.”
“In an individual who has symptoms of numbness, tingling, burning and pain which does not improve after a short period of self-treating or non-medical therapeutic management, being seen and evaluated by a doctor is a good idea; before the disease process gets to the point where it may be irreversible.”
References:
Private conversation with Dennis Sagini, M.D.
www.SaginiMD.com
Fort Myers, FL
Office Phone: 239.337.2003