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Step 1
Watch your hands as you work to identify some of the most common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. These include repetitive work with the hands such as typing, writing with a pen or pencil, working with vibrating tools or otherwise using your hands for long periods of time. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tendons of the wrist become inflamed and press into tender nerves. Repetitive motion of the hands can cause stress injuries because the muscles and tendons are never allowed to relax fully.
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Step 2
Recognize that certain medical conditions can increase pressure buildup in the wrists and cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Common conditions include diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, arthritis and even pregnancy.
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Step 3
Identify rare diseases that often cause abnormal tissue or mineral deposits, which can lead to irritation and pressure on the nerve. These diseases include leukemia, myeloma, amyloidosis and sarcoidosis.
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Step 4
Be aware that having experienced a trauma or injury to the wrist increases your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, even if the injury occurred many years before. While most common during acute injury such as a wrist sprain or fracture when swelling is present, scar tissue often builds after an injury, eventually pulling and creating pressure on the tendons of the wrist.
