Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy<\/figcaption><\/figure>What Causes Carpal tunnel Syndrome during pregnancy?<\/h2>
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)<\/strong> is a feeling of numbness, tingling, weakness, or any pain in the hands or parts of the arm.<\/p>There is a narrow passage in the wrist called carpal tunnel that allows tendons, and nerves pass through it. When this area has some compression it leads to pain and discomfort.<\/p>
The primary cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during pregnancy is compression of the median nerve. The median nerve runs from the forearm to the middle, index, and ring finger through the carpal tunnel. It controls the movements of these regions.<\/p>
During pregnancy because of certain conditions, the pressure is on the carpal tunnel the area reduces and causes CTS.<\/p>
Three main reasons for pregnancy Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are<\/p>
- reduced passage,<\/li>
- increased sensitivity of the nerves<\/li>
- or amount of tissue present in the carpal tunnel.<\/li><\/ol>
Pregnancy-related fluids buildup is primarily responsible for putting pressure on the median nerve. Some women tend to gain fat excessively leading to fat deposits occurring even near hands. One should avoid surgery until childbirth unless your doctor suggests getting it done. Repeated movements such as typing or knitting baby socks can aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome.<\/p>
Women who are suffering from obesity or have bigger breasts are at higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Sudden weight gain during pregnancy or breastfeeding can contribute to aggravating the symptoms of CTS.<\/p>
Symptoms can aggravate if you’ve any habits of shaking or vibrating the region. Unless the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is severe, physical therapy can resolve the condition.<\/p>
Carpal Tunnel Symptoms<\/h2>
There are no specific tests for carpal tunnel syndrome. It is mainly based on carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms experienced by the patient. There can be X-Ray examinations or other physical examination by the doctor.<\/p>
About 3 out of every 100 pregnant women have CTS. The normal tingling sensations are common, but they do not necessarily indicate carpal tunnel syndrome.<\/p>
The main symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are:<\/p>
1) Numbness and Tingling<\/h3>
Fingers, wrists, and hands of the pregnant woman suffering from CTS experiences numbness and prickly sensation. This symptom heightens during the night.<\/p>
2) Weakness in the hand<\/h3>
A pregnant woman may encounter difficulty in holding and gripping. Doing daily activities such as knitting, buttoning, and even typing may become difficult.<\/p>
3) Shock-like sensations <\/h3>
A shock like sensation may be felt in the fingers <\/p>
After childbirth, the carpal tunnel symptom alleviates by itself as the fluid volume reduces back to normal.<\/p>
Your carpal tunnel syndrome will not affect your baby unless you opt for surgery which has its own risks. This problem aggravates in the third trimester which is critical for baby survival and least recommended time for any surgery.<\/p>