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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (or CTS) occurs in the wrists when a specific nerve in the carpal tunnel that is responsible for the control of sensation and hand movement eventually becomes compressed.
This nerve (called the median nerve) becomes pinched because of the swelling and can cause a tingling sensation, numbness, as well as pain in the fingers, hand, and forearm.
Developing diabetes can increase the risks of getting CTS. Conversely, researchers have also found that CTS could be a potential predictor for developing diabetes.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Diabetes
The precise relationship between CTS and diabetes is quite complicated. That said, CTS is believed to be more common in those with diabetes, even in those individuals without diabetic nerve complications (or diabetic neuropathy).
CTS is widely reported in around 15%-20% of individuals with diabetes. Research suggests that the eventual link between CTS and diabetes could be excessively high blood sugar levels.
This can, in turn, result in tendons in the carpal tunnel becoming glycosylated, which generally occurs when glucose attaches to the tendon proteins.
Indicator of Diabetes
When there is excessive sugar in the blood, it may start affecting your body several years prior to a diagnosis of diabetes. The development of CTS could, hence, be indicative of a diabetes diagnosis in the future.
Diabetic Neuropathy
CTS is a common entrapment neuropathy, which is a medical condition that occurs post damage of a nerve.
Researchers have pointed out in the Diabetes Care journal that entrapment neuropathies are additionally prevalent in those with diabetes, affecting one in three individuals.
In those with diabetes, nerves become more vulnerable to compression because the blood supply to the nerves is largely affected. This can eventually make them much more sensitive to minor compression.
When nerve damage occurs in those with diabetes, diabetic neuropathy occurs, which can be the result of excessive blood sugar levels damaging the tiny blood vessels that connect to the nerves.
While diabetes can be a cause of CTS, the latter, in turn, could be a predictor of diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy because of the damage done to the nerves.
That said, diagnosis of CTS can be quite complicated in individuals with diabetes if they also have peripheral neuropathy that is unrelated to CTS, which can lead to similar symptoms such as numbness or tingling.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
The symptoms of CTS can eventually affect the entire hand but have a tendency to involve the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. If you feel a tingling sensation, numbness, or pain in these fingers and half of the ring finger but not the little finger, you may have CTS.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes
The precise cause of CTS cannot be identified in some cases; however, pressure on the median nerve, often, is an occurrence from a combination of diverse factors and health conditions.
- Health conditions that reduce the flow of blood to the hands, such as diabetes, gout, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Prior injuries or damages to the wrist, such as dislocated or broken bones
- Repetitive and strenuous movements of the hands
- Pregnancy (Nearly 50% of women develop CTS during pregnancy)
- Family history of CTS
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
CTS can be successfully treated without the need for surgery when symptoms are mild. In some cases, symptoms of CTS will disappear sans any treatment.
Selfcare practices such as avoiding excessive repetitive hand movement and gripping will help. Moreover, painkillers may be prescribed when it comes to combatting pain.
If you work at a desk, you should adjust your seat and keyboard to optimise comfort. In addition, those who are overweight are advised to lose weight to reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
Non-surgical treatments may involve the use of braces (wrist splints), and steroidal injections could be used to treat mild-to-moderate symptoms. However, if these fail to act, surgery will offer the best chance for a long-term cure and avoidance of permanent damage to the nerves.
On a Final Note:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the carpal tunnel is compressed. Developing diabetes can increase the risks of CTS. Conversely, CTS, too, can be a risk factor in the development of diabetes. CTS is a common entrapment neuropathy that occurs because of nerve damage. While several health conditions (such as diabetes, obesity, pregnancy) can up the risks of CTS, in some cases, symptoms disappear without any treatment. If the symptoms persist, individuals may need wrist splints or steroidal injections, with surgery being the last resort.
