Everything You Need To Know About Carpal Tunnel, Since We're About That Age

"Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs through a little passageway in the wrist to your hand (called the carpal tunnel). If inflammation from injuries, chronic health conditions, or overuse compresses the nerve in that small space, it can create a variety of symptoms, from pain, tingling, and numbness to actual weakness in the hand and wrist."

"says Dr. Tracy Espiritu McKay, clinical assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. "You're most at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome if you're a woman, middle-aged, have an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, or diabetes, or are living with obesity. If you've injured your wrist in the past or were exposed to occupational hazards like repetitive hand use, vibration, or forceful gripping, you're also more likely to develop the condition.""

Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve as it passes through the small carpal tunnel in the wrist. Inflammation from injuries, chronic health conditions, or repeated overuse can compress the nerve and cause pain, tingling, numbness, and hand or wrist weakness. Symptoms often begin in midlife, commonly in people in their 40s–60s, and are more frequent in women. Risk factors include autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, diabetes, obesity, prior wrist injury, and occupational exposures such as repetitive hand use, vibration, or forceful gripping. Perimenopausal estrogen decline may also contribute.

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