Topic Overview
If you have pain, tingling, and other problems in your hand because of carpal tunnel syndrome, you can take steps to help the pain.
Steps to relieve pain and reduce swelling include:
- Applying ice to the palm side of the hand and
wrist for short periods.
- Avoiding sleeping on your
hands or with your wrists bent. Wearing a
wrist splint at night is often
helpful.
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may
help reduce swelling and relieve pain. They may be helpful for some people, although
they are not generally thought to be effective for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting
smoking, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, and controlling medical
conditions, such as
diabetes, may help relieve your symptoms of carpal
tunnel syndrome related to swelling.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Herbert von Schroeder, MD, MSc, FRCSC - Hand and Microvascular Surgery |
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| Last Revised | October 2, 2012 |
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