Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it can also be accompanied by some uncomfortable side effects. One of the most common issues that pregnant women face is carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition which causes hand pain and numbness in the hands and wrists.
While carpal tunnel can happen to anyone, pregnant women are at a higher risk due to increased fluid retention in the body and hormonal changes. Let’s take a closer look at this condition and what you can do to manage it during your pregnancy.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of your hand. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in your fingers and hands. If left untreated, it can lead to weakness in your hands or even permanent damage to the nerve itself.
While anyone can suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, pregnant women are more prone to developing it due to increased levels of hormones during pregnancy as well as swelling in their wrists caused by water retention.
How Can I Manage Carpal Tunnel During Pregnancy?
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to manage your carpal tunnel symptoms during pregnancy:
• Warm compresses - Applying warm compresses to your wrists several times a day for 15 minutes at a time may help reduce swelling and relieve some of your pain.
• Wrist splints - Wearing wrist splints (also called wrist braces) while sleeping can help keep your wrists in proper alignment so they don't get as much pressure on them while resting.
• Exercise - Stretching exercises are particularly helpful for CTS sufferers because they help reduce tension in tight muscles that may be contributing to your discomfort.
• Physical therapy - If exercise alone isn't enough to manage your symptoms, physical therapy may be beneficial as well. A trained physical therapist can give you specialized exercises designed specifically for CTS sufferers that will help reduce inflammation and improve flexibility around your wrists.
• Surgery - In rare cases where other treatments are not helping with CTS symptoms, surgery may be necessary for long-term relief from pain and discomfort. However, it's important to note that surgery should always be seen as a last resort since it carries with it certain risks associated with anesthesia and post-operative complications.
Conclusion: You can manage CTS in pregnancy
Pregnant women are at an increased risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome due to hormonal changes and water retention during pregnancy.
Fortunately, there are many steps that you can take to help minimize symptoms associated with this condition such as avoiding repetitive motions with your hands and wearing a wrist brace while sleeping.
If necessary, speak with your doctor about medication options available for managing any persistent pain or discomfort associated with carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy.
With some simple lifestyle changes and medical interventions where necessary, you should be able to manage this condition without too much difficulty throughout your pregnancy!