TECH-ING A TOLL ON YOUR HEALTH?

Spending long hours on the computer or constant chatting on the phone, irregular postures are causing more harm to you than you know

 One of the recent disorders that is commonly seen among professionals with excessive use of a phone or a computer is none other than the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. 

THE CAUSE 

This is due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.Carpal tunnel is roughly two finger breaths beginning from the distal palmar crease towards the palm. Dr Ashish Agarwal, joint replacement surgeon, Bombay Hospital, says, "Any condition that exerts pressure on the median nerve at the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive maneuvers has been referred to as one of the repetitive stress injuries. Some rare diseases can cause deposition of abnormal substances in and around the carpal tunnel, leading to nerve irritation." 

SYMPTOMS 

People with carpal tunnel syndrome initially feel numbness and tingling of the hand in the distribution of the median nerve (the thumb, index, middle, and part of the fourth fingers). These sensations are often more pronounced at night and can awaken people from sleep. 

    The reason symptoms are worse at night may be related to the flexed-wrist sleeping position and/or fluid accumulating around the wrist and hand while lying flat. Carpal tunnel syndrome may be a temporary condition that completely resolves or it can persist and progress. 

TREAT IT RIGHT 

"Initial treatment usually includes rest, immobilisation of the wrist in a splint, and occasionally ice application. Those whose occupations are aggravating the symptoms should modify their activities. For example, computer keyboards and chair height may need to be adjusted to optimize comfort,"says Dr Agarwal. Periodic resting and range of motion stretching exercise of the wrists can actually prevent the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome that are caused by repetitive overuse.