Carpal Tunnel Affects Millions of Americans

According to new data from a National Health Interview Survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just over 3 percent of employed adults have experienced carpal tunnel syndrome over the past year.

The survey targeted working adults between the ages of 18 and 64 and noted a marked increase in carpal tunnel syndrome occurrence with each successively older age group. Regardless of age, working women were more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than working men.

The National Health Interview Survey has been monitoring American health since 1957. The data collected by the NHIS ranges on a variety of health topics and is collected through personal household interviews.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure being placed on a nerve in the wrist that is responsible for feeling and movements in certain parts of the hand. The condition can result in numbness, tingling, weakness and muscle damage in the hands and fingers. This condition is most often found in individuals that perform repetitive motions with their hands and wrists, such as typing on a keyboard.

As a California neurologist, I’m always interested in new data from the NHIS. If you experience any sort of chronic condition that causes you pain, speak with a pain management doctor to aid in relieving some of the discomfort for the long term.

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