Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands and wrist. It occurs when increased pressure on the median nerve—which controls sensation in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger—leads to discomfort. This nerve also supports muscle strength at the base of the thumb, but the small finger is usually unaffected.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Symptoms often start gradually and may occur at any time, with early signs appearing at night. Nighttime symptoms—such as numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, and middle fingers—are common and can wake people from sleep, especially those who sleep with their wrists curled. Shaking the hands often helps relieve these symptoms in the early stages.

During the day, patients may experience tingling and reduced sensation in their fingertips. Common activities like holding a book, grasping a steering wheel, or using a keyboard become difficult. As the condition worsens, hand weakness, difficulty with fine motor tasks (like buttoning a shirt), and dropping objects become more frequent. In severe cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may shrink in size.

Risk Factors

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be triggered by several factors, including:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Hypothyroidism
• Heavy manual labor or working with vibrating tools

While light, repetitive tasks like typing are often blamed, there is limited clinical evidence that such activities directly cause carpal tunnel syndrome. However, related conditions like bursitis and tendinitis are linked to repetitive motions.