People working as type writers, clerks or computer professionals have to constantly use their fingers for typing, which increases pressure on the hands, thereby putting you at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, says Dr Akshay Challani, Critical Care Specialist and Physician, Akshjyot Clinic, Navi Mumbai. If your work involves using computers at a stretch, here are few signs and symptoms you need to be aware of.
Finger pain: Typing on a keyboard strains the tendonitis present in the wrist and thumbs, leading to finger pain. In some cases, the pain might radiate to the arm as well.
Swelling: Most people often tend to ignore swelling of the hand, thinking that the symptom might subside within a few days. However, if you experience swelling or lump in the hand after working for long hours on a computer, it might indicate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Painful arm movement: Punching on the keys for hours without a break might lead to pinching of the nerves in the wrist. This causes pain in the arm when you tend to move and you should take some rest to improve your condition.
Numbness in fingers: As the nerves are compressed due to constant typing, in some cases it leads to tingling or numbness in fingers. In some cases, you might get up in the morning with a numb or painful arm that might ease as you move your arm or hand.
Difficulty in holding/gripping objects: With stiffness in your arms or lack of sensation due to nerve pinching can lead to weakness in the arms and an increased tendency to drop objects. If this is quite common with you, it’s better to consult your doctor at the earliest.
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