- Gender - Women are more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome than men, perhaps because the tunnel is smaller, making it easier to be compressed.
- Nerve damage -- Diabetes and some other chronic illnesses increase the overall risk of nerve damage, including to the median nerve.
- General inflammation ---Any kind of inflammatory condition in the body can also reach the wrist tendons, causing pressure on the median nerve.
- Fluid build-up -- If the body can’t easily rid itself of fluids, the resulting build-up can increase pressure at the extremities, including the wrist, putting pressure on the tendons and, in turn, the median nerve.
- Other body conditions -- Menopause, obesity, thyroid conditions and kidney failure may all lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Repetitive stress -- Meat cutters, factory workers, newspaper reporters and others who constantly repeat the same tasks using their wrists are susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome. Even those who use vibrating tools may be at risk, as the machine’s workings cause a stimulation that can affect the median nerve.
As carpal tunnel syndrome worsens, many patients begin to lose sleep and are unable to perform employment activities like typing on a computer keyboard. Left untreated, the damage can become extremely painful and result in permanent muscle and nerve damage.
A doctor will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the patterns of your regular day, which may offer clues to what is causing the condition. The timing of symptom appearance may be a factor, as well as work habits. Imaging tests may be performed to get a closer look at the median nerve and its surrounding bone structure.