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Living On Steroids

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If you follow the news you will have no doubt seen the recent pictures of the magician Dynamo.  He took to social media to show the effects that the steroids used to fight his Crohns Disease, were having on his physical appearance.  The photos showed the typical, bloated ‘moonface’ that many of us who are on, or have received steroid treatments, will know too well.

My Journey With Steroids

I, like Dynamo, suffer from Crohns Disease.  I also have rheumatoid arthritis and iritis.  For these three illnesses, steroids are  commonly used to reduce the inflammation associated with a flare.  My earliest experiences of steroids, as a child, were all injection based.  I would regularly have intra-joint injections of steroids to help treat them when flaring with my arthritis.  These injections, although unpleasant, would generally help settle down a joint that was giving me problems.

Aged seven I was diagnosed with iritis.  This causes inflammation of the iris and common in children who have been diagnosed with arthritis.  The treatment for this was steroid eye drops.  Occasionally – apologies to the squeamish – I would also have them injected into my eyes.

My first experience of being given a course of steroid tablets is one I will never forget.  I was 18 and having a severe flare of my iritis.  My ophthalmologist thought that, alongside the eye drops, a course of steroid tablets would be needed to get it under control.  Iritis can cause blindness, so it is important to get the flare sorted as quickly as possible.  I was sent home on 80mg a day, never imagining the side effects that I would experience.

At the time I was working as a nursery nurse.  I loved my job, and went straight back to it after my appointment was over and I had taken the first dose.  That night, I barely slept but didn’t think much of it.  When it happened the second and third night, I found myself getting more and more poorly.  I felt like I was going crazy – no sleep and the worst feeling of being down that I had ever experienced.  I finally went to see my GP and cried and cried.  I didn’t know what was happening to my mind or body.  He explained that the steroids I had been given were causing these symptoms and that I was on an extremely high dose.  He signed me off work, slashed the dose down by half and got in touch with my ophthalmologist to follow me up ASAP.

At the time my knowledge was limited and not what it is now. I was so scared and also frustrated that these extremely common side effects had not been mentioned to me.

At the age of 22 and after having my first baby, I started having severe issues with my left hip.  It wasn’t a joint (one of the only ones) that my arthritis affected and I was sent to orthopaedics to have it checked out.  Turned out that the steroids over the years had caused a condition called avascular necrosis in my hip bone, basically killing off the blood supply to the majority of the ball part of the ball and socket joint.  Aged 22 and a half I received a total hip replacement and one huge scar!

There was yet more to come.  I had struggled with bowel problems since the age of 8 or 9, which were often put down to the medications I was on for my arthritis.  Aged 26 these problems got much worse and I was sent for a colonoscopy and then diagnosed with Crohns Disease.  The treatment to get my flare under control?  You guessed it – a course of steroids.

I was put on 40mg to start with and then had to taper them down over the coming weeks. You can’t just stop taking steroids and have to drop your dose gradually in order to give your adrenal gland the chance to kick in and start producing cortisol by themselves again.   Unfortunately, I had been on them almost continually since my second son had been born the year before as they couldn’t get my arthritis under control, and haven’t been off them since.  Seven years and counting!

Living On Steroids

Steroids have ravaged my body, I also now suffer with ostopenia (the precursor to osteoporosis) due to my long term use of them.  I struggle with insomnia and night sweats.  I have needed cataract surgery for a cataract which was caused by the steroid eye drops I have used over the years to treat my iritis. I am on two other medications to help with the side effects of the prednisilone (the type of steroid I am on).  During three major flares which have resulted in hospital stays, I have been hooked up to IV steroids.  My appetite is huge and I have gained weight.  And finally, after a severe flare last year and large doses of IV steroids on top of my tablets, I now have the dreaded moonface.

Steroid ‘moonface’ in full swing

My ‘normal’ face

Somehow, being able to physically see the effects these medications have on you, right there every day in the mirror, makes it all so much harder to deal with.  This is not to say that I am not grateful to the steroids I have been given over the years.  They work wonderfully well at what they do, it’s just a shame, that for some, the side effects can be so numerous and severe.  Unfortunately they are a necessary evil when suffering from auto-immune conditions as I am.

I am finally on a reducing plan to get me off the devil’s tic-tacs (Crohnsfighting’s perfect nickname for them) for good.  Because of the length of time I have been on them, it may not be possible to stop them completely.  For now I am on a very slow plan to wean my body off them.  My sleeping is already improving although I am still struggling with the night sweats and increased appetite.  For anyone on them, or asked to start them, here are my top tips for you –

  1. TAKE THEM IN THE MORNING – This is the best way to ensure they don’t interrupt your sleep
  2. WORK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ON A REDUCING PLAN – Have a clear plan in place when you are put on the steroids.  Know how much you are taking, and when to lower the dose
  3. SIDE EFFECTS – Make sure your doctor also prescribes a calcium supplement to help protect your bones and something to protect your stomach (I am on Omeprazole but there are a couple of others that can be used for people who cant have that)
  4. MOOD CHANGES – Steroids can alter your mood so see your doctor ASAP if you experience this and are struggling mentally
  5. NEVER JUST STOP TAKING THEM – It’s dangerous!  Your body needs to wean off them slowly.  If you are struggling with side effects, see your doctor as soon as possible rather than just stopping taking them and they can advise on what to do

Check out my poem – ’10 Things I Hate About Pred’ over on my blog, The Spoonie Mummy

The post Living On Steroids appeared first on talkhealth Blog.

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Interview: An insight into living with MS

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MS Awareness Week

MS has a huge effect on the lives of those diagnosed with the condition. With this week being #MSAwarenessWeek, talkhealth have teamed up with the MS trust to help give others an insight into living with the condition. Today, we caught up with a young teacher, Jenna, who has been part of the MS trust’s campaign for #MSAwarenessWeek.

Jenna is living with MS, and talkhealth got the chance to interview her about her life and experiences with the condition.

talkhealth: How supported did you/do you feel after being diagnosed with MS?

Jenna: For a few days after my diagnosis, I remember feeling quite lost. I hadn’t previously heard of MS and so I was very confused as to how my life would change. It was after I had come to terms with the fact that I had been diagnosed with a lifelong condition that I started to investigate online through the MS Trust website and read through the information guides that I was provided by my neurologist.

TH: Did you find it easy to get help and advice about MS in these early stages?

J: Yes and no. Simply typing the condition into Google will provide you with masses of information. But, this information is often full of medical terms that, unless you are familiar with the condition, can be quite overwhelming to take in as a young adult. It was only after I met my MS nurse a month after diagnosis that I was able to find answers to all of my questions and these answers were tailored to my specific needs or concerns.

TH: Has it impacted how you socialise and interact with your friends and family?

J: More recently, yes. I find that I feel tired a lot quicker than I used to and this means that I sometimes have to limit how much I can do during a day. I initially found it a little upsetting that others couldn’t understand why I had to pass on a particular social event or return home early, but that’s no longer the case. Perhaps this is because I am a lot more open about my condition and the effects of living with MS.

TH: Do you feel it has impacted your work? Have you found ways around this?

J: Being a full time teacher was always going to be a demanding job. That being said, during the early stages, the only way MS affected me was having to return home as early as possible so that I could take my medication, which at the time was administered through an injection. MS has affected my work more over the last couple of years largely due to fatigue kicking in. I have attempted to find ways around this by tackling more strenuous activities, such as marking long essays, during the day when I feel I have more energy. I also listen to my body and try to take rest breaks, well, when I can.

TH: What advice would you give a young person who may be worried about MS?

J: I would want them to know that being diagnosed with MS doesn’t mean that you have to say goodbye to your dreams and ambitions. I still pursued a career in teaching and sky-dived soon after being diagnosed! I would also try to reassure them that they have been diagnosed at a time when new medications are always coming through to make managing MS that little bit easier.

The post Interview: An insight into living with MS appeared first on talkhealth Blog.

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Development of EoE Linked with Eczema, Asthma and Food Allergy – Allergic Living

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Allergic Living
Development of EoE Linked with Eczema, Asthma and Food Allergy
Allergic Living
Children with eczema, food allergy and asthma have a greater risk of developing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) than those without the conditions, according to a study presented at the AAAAI/WAO joint congress in early March. Dr. Jonathan Spergel and …

eczema – Google News

6 Inspiring Tips for Living with Eczema Based on the Power of Trust & Acceptance

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Another great post from itchylittleworld.com – Natural remedies for eczema to soothe your itchy little world..

This week, we’re sharing an inspirational video from my dear friend Marieke, a certified life coach and founder of Your Novel Life, whose own daughter had severe eczema as an infant. If you’re feeling particularly low or depressed due to living with eczema or dealing with your child’s eczema, then please watch this beautiful video. I’m sure you will find it’s message of trust and acceptance enriching for both your body and mind.

♥ Jennifer

 

(begin transcript)

Hi everybody! I’m a life coach from Your Novel Life. I’m here today to share some tips with you about what I wish I knew then when I was handling my baby’s eczema before I became a life coach.

My daughter is now 7-years-old and she’s dairy intolerant. Our journey with her eczema started right as she was about 4 months old and I had noticed that her cradle cap started migrating to her face. She had small patches on her body but nothing too major. It was really when it started migrating to her face that I freaked out and I didn’t know what to do. I had never seen cradle cap like that. I started to think maybe it was eczema, so I started researching. And what I found was that it was probably really bad eczema.

Because I tend to go more of a natural route, I discovered that it was probably related to food, but I wasn’t really sure. So I visited my doctor with Fira (my daughter) and I described what was happening. My doctor actually told me that there is no conclusive evidence between eczema and food issues and I just felt that couldn’t be right, something seemed off. I’m a big believer that food is medicine. 

1. Trust Your Gut & Intuition

Here’s where my first tip comes in to play: trust your own gut and intuition. I consulted with some naturopaths that told me the biggest allergen I was consuming was dairy. When I eliminated it from my own and my daughter’s diet at six months of age, I noticed a difference in my daughter’s skin every two weeks (I was still breastfeeding at this time) and a change in my health as well. Her skin just started clearing up and by the time she was a year-old she was basically eczema-free. So, I trusted my gut and my gut was right.

One of the other ways we handled her painful eczema (she would just cry for hours from the pain and I could sense her internal frustration) was by soothing her with a pacifier. I had never been big on the pacifier before then, but for some reason I had one laying around during one particularly bad moment where I couldn’t settle her. I gave her the pacifier and she took it immediately. It’s like all her frustrations went out into the pacifier. She found an outlet for herself. She found a way to soothe herself. Nothing else had worked for us, so I trusted my gut, that the little plastic device would do something. I had tried everything to soothe her and I was at my wits end. So, that pacifier become her go-to self-soother very quickly. Even after her eczema was gone and she was a little bit older, she would still use the pacifier to calm herself.

So my first tip I want to share with you is: Trust your gut. Trust yourself that you know how to care for your child.

2. Find Acceptance

My next tip is acceptance. I know how hard it can be to accept that your baby has some kind skin condition or intestinal issue or allergy or intolerance, that they are living with eczema. I personally found that challenging. I also found the fact that I was going to have to give up cheese or cream in my coffee really, really scary. I didn’t feel like doing it. I felt like I had just going through pregnancy where I’d given up alcohol and I felt like I was just getting my body back and I just wanted to do whatever I wanted to do. But I realized that wasn’t going to happen when I discovered that the issue with my daughter’s eczema was dairy. So acceptance is my next tip I want to share with you, my lesson learned. Suffering stems from not accepting what is. At the time my daughter was suffering form eczema and I had this intuition that it was dairy and I didn’t want to accept that. But once I did decide to move forward with that, once I accepted it, MAN things got easier. So, that’s my tip, accept what is. Accept what you’re willing to do or not do (because not doing anything is okay too). 

3. Feel Your Feelings

The next tip I would suggest for anyone watching this video is to feel ALL the feelings. When I was dealing with my daughter’s eczema I had grief, frustration, resentment, fear and I struggled to come to terms with everything. I struggled to give myself the permission to let myself feel those things. Especially grief, that was a big one. So let yourself feel sad for what you’re giving up, for that fact that your baby’s eczema makes them look different. Let yourself feel sad. It’s important to let yourself feel frustrated that you or your child is living with eczema, then move on. When we resist our feelings, things just persist. Give yourself the freedom and the grace to really FEEL what you’re feeling. Write them in a journal. Talk about them with somebody. But  don’t stay there and get stuck. Because when we get stuck, we don’t make progress and move forward. It’s when we don’t heal. And healing is what this is ultimately about.  

4. Be Empowered

My next tip is about feeling empowered and knowing that you can DO something. There is ALWAYS something you can do. Let go of the shoulds and realize you have a choice in the way you handle this. Don’t think about it as I need or should cut out dairy, but instead as I’m choosing to cut dairy because I’m willing to see if it makes a difference in my or my child’s health. I’m choosing to not eat eggs or soy or use certain creams. It’s a choice that we make on how we care for ourselves or our children. It’s a choice. We have other choices. But when we say should, it takes away our power. When we say I’m willing to do this, I’m choosing to do this, we’re standing in our power because we realize we have a choice.   Making your own decisions for you and your family is actually really powerful and I invite you to feel into the power while you navigate these waters.

5. Talk About It

My next tip is to get support, share your story, reach out and connect with others. As soon as I started talking about my own frustrations, my own fears, my own experiences with my daughter’s eczema WOW, people started coming out of the woodwork so to speak. When you show that vulnerability, sharing bits of yourself like that, people open up as well and we connect and create community. We can inspire each other. When I cut out dairy, I shared my daughter’s story with so many people because it ultimately changed her life and mine. Which leads me to my last tip…

6. Find the Blessing

This is a beautiful way to BE in life, especially when we’re faced with hardship. Think how could this be happening for me, not too me. One of the wonderful things that has come out of my daughter’s having eczema was her healing, but also how my own health improved ten-fold. It was such a blessing for me to go through the experience because I’m actually a healthier mom, I get less agitated. I had constipation for years that went away when I went dairy free.  I didn’t realize I had any sort of dairy sensitivity until I went through this with my daughter.  Another blessing is also that we’re much more aware of other people’s sensitivities and intolerances. Also, about the power of food. I always had this intuition that food was powerful, but now I saw it with my own eyes and that’s amazing! It’s an amazing gift to pass on to our children and families.

Accept everything as a blessing. Think about how changing your child’s life is a true blessing that you can pass onto your family or others you know. I’ve shared my story with our neighbors and other friends who have seen improvements in their own children’s health after cutting out dairy.

That’s my story. I hope that this has been helpful! To recap…..

  • Trust your gut. Follow your intuition. And if you don’t feel like you have one, get quiet with yourself – think and feel into what could be the issue. If you have a gut feeling, trust it.
  • Acceptance, accepting what is. We can ease our suffering when we release our resistance to what is.
  • Feel all your feelings. Give yourself permission to to feel everything that you feel.
  • Feel empowered by realizing you have choices in how you handle things. You don’t have to DO anything. Chose how you want to do it and know you are making a choice instead of being forced into something.
  • Get support, reach out, connect with other people, share your story. Don’t live this by yourself because there are so many people living it. That’s what we’re here for, to support each other.
  • Find the blessing and remember that this is happening for me, not to me. With that perspective, what can I do with it, what does it mean? What do I want to make this mean for myself or my child? How can this be a blessing for my family?

Please contact me if you want to know more about my daughter’s journey with eczema. I didn’t want to go too much into my own story, but I hope what I’ve shared has given you some take-aways. I would love to hear from you! I wish you well and your little ones well or whoever is struggling with eczema. I know it’s hard, but I also know there are ways to deal with it and a lot of it has to do with self care. So I hope that you find that for yourself.

 

Bio: Marieke Bosch Larose is a certified Martha Beck Life Coach and founder of Your Novel Life. She helps curious women see what happens when they slow down enough to know who they are, so they can take charge of themselves and the lives they create.  Ready to slow down & enjoy your life more? Click here for your FREE GUIDEBOOK!

6 Inspiring Tips for Living with Eczema Based on the Power of Trust & Acceptance appeared first on itchylittleworld.com. Come read more about natural remedies for eczema!

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Patio Heaters – A Great Way Extend Your Outdoor Living

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Heaters specifically designed for outdoor patio seating areas have been around for well over 25 years. Early on, patio heaters were limited basically to the “mushroom” style propane heaters…. you know, the ones where a heater head sits atop a post (like a lamp post) and a mushroom shape shroud over the top reflects a circular pattern of infrared radiant heat in a 12′ diameter circle to the area below.

Years ago, these mushroom style heaters sold for up to $ 650.00. Today, those same heaters sell for under $ 299.00 and are readily available at many hardware stores, home centers and online from numerous sources.

Since the intro of the “mushroom” heater, patio heating has become a bit more sophisticated. Today, ceiling suspended heaters have become a popular choice for restaurant owners because they free up valuable floor space. Where a covered patio exists, gas-fired infrared radiant tube heaters have become very popular.

Infra-red (radiant) tube heaters are simple. They consist of a burner at one end of a 4″ diameter tube (typically 10′ to 50′ in length) with a parabolic reflector running over the top of the tube – down its entire length. Hot gases shoot through the tube until it gets hot. A parabolic reflector over the top of the tube reflects the heat energy to the people zone. Just like the sun, people and objects are bathed in soft radiant heat, but without the harmful UV rays.

One benefit of infrared tube heaters is that they can cover a larger seating area with fewer burners. They are also available with optional deco grills, which help give the appliance a more finished appearance. They can even be recessed in drop ceilings.

To ensure good, even heat coverage, restaurant owners are advised to consult with a reputable infrared representative. Working with the restaurant owner, an experienced infrared person can help lay out a system in a pattern best suited to the arrangement of tables and seating and offer the best control options to meet the desires of the owner or manager.

Other ceiling suspended patio heaters, called “high intensity” infrared heaters, have been around for many years and are still very popular for restaurants and homeowners alike. Measuring about 4 feet in length, they can be suspended from a ceiling, a wall or an eave, making them very versatile and simple to install. Multiple units can be strategically patterned to cover large seating areas, whereas one or two heaters is just fine over a hot tub, doorway or picnic table.

So the question is, “Why heat my patio area?”. For restaurant owners, the answer is simple. They do it to draw more people into their restaurants. A heated patio gives owners the opportunity to expand seating and increase revenue. Most people are drawn to places where they can enjoy being outside, especially when the sky is clear. Note also, in recent years indoor smoking restrictions and new laws from both local and federal agency’s have prompted restaurant owners to look for ways to keep their clients coming back. An outdoor heating system is a courtesy to these patrons, which can have a dramatic impact on customer satisfaction.

For homeowners – well, who doesn’t want to be outside, especially on those cool evenings? Patio heaters are a great way to prolong the outdoor season and ensure that friends and relatives are kept warm and happy.

Scott Workman owns and operates Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc. of Draper, Utah. In business since 1986, Infra-Red Products has become recognized as one of the foremost leaders in energy saving infrared heating system design and sales for residential, commercial and industrial consumers. Want to learn more about gas patio heaters, outdoor heating systems, vent free heaters, energy-saving heaters, garage heaters, infrared tube heaters, radiant heaters and more? Email us at getheat@msn.com or visit our web sites at: =>
http://www.infraredinfo.com and http://www.heatersunlimited.com

Jun 11, City Living Could Aggravate Your Eczema

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An article recently published has talked about the issues that city living eczema sufferers can face on a daily basis. The daily stresses of city life, pollution and the harmful detergents used, are a few of the reasons that may aggravate your eczema. Although there is no way that you can totally avoid the baddies in the environment, you can manage and treat your skin to limit any damage done
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3 Tips for Incorporating Healthy Living Into your Family’s Life

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If you have a family, you will want to do all you can to keep them healthy. This will take the right amount of effort on your part and know-how. It’s important to understand how and why you will want to be a bit more diligent at maintaining the health of your family. Of course, you will want to avoid being sick at all costs and dealing with medical issues that are more likely to arise when you don’t care for your health. It’s ideal to know some tips that can allow you to add more health to your day.

Tip #1: Have family meetings

One of the things you will want to do is to pay close attention to all the members of your family. If you have teenage kids, it’s important to look for signs of potential drug use.

The first thing to do to ensure your kids remain as healthy as possible may rest in having a drug intervention. This can address an issue of this magnitude and work to decrease the chances of it causing a major issue later on in life.

You’re sure to have much more success by getting the support you need from professionals in this field. Many of these individuals can be found and are ready to provide the expert advice you need if this situation does arise.

Tip #2: Buying better foods

It can be tempting to purchase junk food at the store, but this won’t help you have a healthier life. It’s imperative that you eat foods that nourish your body and allow you to feel your best each day.

The next time you go to the grocery store, you will want to shop for healthier food choices. This obviously could assist with weight loss for yourself and loved ones eating out of the same fridge and cabinets. Taking time to add vegetables and fruits to your cart can be one of the ideal ways to enable everyone under your roof to be healthier.

You should also work to get in the necessary amount of protein each day by adding lean meats that can allow you to do so. Keep in mind that studies show women should eat at least 46 grams of protein per day and men should have 56 grams daily to maintain health and feel good.

Tip #3: Join a gym

One of the top things to do may be to take the time to look at local gyms in your area. In fact, you may get a discount if you have a large family that wants to join.

There are numerous health benefits to joining a gym, and some of these are listed below:

1. Equipment – Being able to have instant access to all types of equipment that is expensive to own is ideal. This may be the key to getting in a good workout and being as healthy as possible.

2. Swimming pool – Most gyms have a pool that can allow your family to relax and have fun. This is a great way to spend time together and get in your exercise.

3. Entertainment – The cost of going to a movie or out to eat can get pricey. However, if you have a gym membership, you can simply go there to have time outside of the house.

4. Personal training – You may need a bit of extra guidance when it comes to getting healthy and fit. The good news is that you can consult with a fitness expert that can help your family get in the best shape of their lives.

The key to having the highest quality of life possible is taking care of your health. All of your family members are certain to appreciate the effort you put into making this possible. There are numerous benefits of doing all you can to feel your best and taking care of your family is sure to be high on your list of priorities. You can help your entire clan enjoy better health and feel more energized to tackle each day when you make this one of the things you put lots of effort into making happen. Get started today for allowing your family to be healthier tomorrow.

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What Is the Disability Living Allowance?

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The welfare system is there to help us should we end up in difficulties – it’s the rainy day fund that we all, collectively as a society, contribute to through our salaries.

One way in which it’s there to help is if we are to suffer from severe ill health or disability. Yet, at a time when you’re emotionally and physically focused on coping with other things, you can easily be forgiven for getting a little lost when it comes to understanding how it works.

You might well have heard of the Disability Living Allowance, but is this the right thing for you?

Changes to the Disability Living Allowance

The Disability Living Allowance used to be the main benefit paid to people who had a physical or mental disability that caused them to need help with their own personal care or mobility.

However, in April 2013 the Government introduced Personal Independence Payments. These have been gradually phased in ever since and have replaced much of the function of the DLA. When introduced, the Government said the PIP aimed to target resources more effectively to the people who needed it most.

It’s likely, therefore, that if you need to claim for help with everyday tasks it’ll be a PIP that you need to claim.

What is the Personal Independence Payment?

As the Money Advice service points out, the PIP:

  • is tax free
  • is a weekly payment
  • is not affected by income or savings
  • consists of two parts – personal care and mobility
  • ranges from £21.80 to £139.75 depending on the needs of the applicant
  • is determined by a one-on-one assessment of the applicant

People on the DLA are being transferred over to the PIP, with everyone set to have moved over by September 2017.

Controversy over the move from DLA to PIP

The transition from the DLA to PIP has not been completely smooth. Campaigners have criticised the way in which the assessments are carried out and many people have appealed against decisions which would have cut or reduced the amount of money they were paid under the DLA. Many of these appeals have been successful, leading to calls that people in need are being denied the help that they need under the new system.

The move over to the new system is yet to be complete and there is still debate over whether further change is needed, which shows that this is still an area open to change going forward.

Has the Disability Living Allowance been scrapped?

That doesn’t mean that the Disability Living Allowance has disappeared completely, however.

If you are claiming for a child aged under 16, the DLA is still for you. Like the PIP, this is tax free, paid weekly and not affected by income or savings. Also like the PIP, this has care and mobility components – with payments graded depending on the needs of the child in question.

The DLA is also still claimed by people who were in receipt of the benefit before 2013 and born before April 8, 1948.

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Living with carpal tunnel syndrome: the facts

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Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause major discomfort, here BMI Healthcare  discuss the number of ways you can deal with the condition.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition, which can lead to pain in the hands and fingers. There are several causes of CTS, and the severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. In some cases, CTS will disappear by itself without requiring treatment. However, where the condition endures there are several options available to relieve discomfort.

What is CTS?

CTS is caused by an increase in pressure on the median nerve, the nerve which crosses the front of the wrist and controls movement and sensation in the hands. It is surrounded by the carpal tunnel – a tight passage that creates a pulley for the tendons, which allow your fingers to bend. The pressure caused by CTS can result in numbness, tingling and pain, particularly in the thumb, index and middle fingers. It can also bring about pins and needles, and sufferers often experience a dull ache in the hand and arm, as well as weakness in the thumb.

carpal-tunnel-syndrome-th

What causes CTS?

There are a number of reasons why people develop CTS. It is most commonly a result of repetitive movements, such as typing on a computer for long periods or playing a sport that requires using the wrist and hand. Wrist injuries and health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes can also lead to CTS.

Non-surgical treatment of CTS

If you are experiencing mild or moderate symptoms of CTS, then there are a number of non-surgical ways to alleviate the condition. Sometimes, simply resting the affected hand or wrist for one or two weeks will allow the area to heal. Your health professional may also recommend a wrist support to hold your wrist in a neutral position and encourage recovery. Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen is often used to reduce swelling and discomfort, while in some cases corticosteroid injections are administered to provide temporary pain relief – although the symptoms often return.

There are also a number of physical exercises that your doctor can recommend to help strengthen your wrists and make them suppler. Some sufferers of CTS have found that practising yoga can further improve the condition[1].

If CTS is being caused by repetitive movements at work, such as typing, make sure to take regular breaks from your computer and keep stretching and exercising your wrist to prevent pain and stiffness.

Surgical treatment of CTS

Where non-surgical management of CTS doesn’t alleviate the symptoms or there is the possibility of nerve damage occurring, surgery may be the best option. A small incision will be made on the hand – usually under local anaesthetic – and the surgeon will cut the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel in order to relieve pressure on the median nerve. The whole procedure usually takes around 15 minutes and you can normally leave the hospital on the same day.

People suffering from mild forms of CTS should notice an improvement immediately following surgery, but those with more extreme cases or nerve damage may require more time for symptoms to be relieved. Your doctor will also advise you on physical hand and wrist exercises to aid your recovery.

Find out more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome here, or you can make an online enquiry and a member of the BMI Healthcare team will be in touch.

[1]  http://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/living-with/10-ways-to-ease-carpal-tunnel-pain/

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