The median nerve runs from your forearm to the palm of your hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when this nerve is squeezed (compressed) as it passes through the carpal tunnel. This compression can cause numbness in your thumb and the 3 middle fingers of your hand. Sweaty palms, finger stiffness, and hand tremors are not symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The syndrome makes it hard to grip an object with one or both hands. It also causes pain or numbness in one or both hands, especially at night. You may also feel burning and tingling in your thumb, index, and middle fingers. And your fingers can feel swollen or have “pins and needles.”

Women are 3 times more likely than men to get carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers think this is because the carpal tunnel is smaller in women than in men.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is 3 times more common in assemblers than in people who work in data-entry. It is also common in people who work in the sewing, finishing, cleaning, and meat-, poultry- or fish-packing industries.

In carpal tunnel release, the surgeon cuts the band of tissue around the wrist. This makes the carpal tunnel bigger and eases pressure on the median nerve. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if carpal tunnel surgery is the best choice for you.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated in several ways other than surgery. These include hand splints and anti-inflammatory medicine. You can also make changes to your workstation, such as changing the position of your keyboard.

All of these will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. You can also use good posture when working. If you use a keyboard, make sure your wrists are in the correct position when typing.