If you often suffer from numbness in your fingers, and difficulty in moving your wrists then you might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

The wrist is surrounded by a band of fibrous tissue that normally functions as a support for the joint, and there is the median nerve that passes through to receive sensations from the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the hand.

Any condition that causes swelling or a change in position of the tissue within the carpal tunnel can squeeze and irritate the median nerve which causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and the middle fingers.

When stricken by this syndrome using your hands for normal activities can become difficult. Here are few pointers to avoid getting carpal tunnel syndrome:

1. Exercise your wrists, fingers, and arms on a regular basis to keep them flexible.

2. Using the keyboard for long hours can lead to this problem so always give your fingers some rest every 20 minutes.

3. If you get finger, hand, or wrist numbness or pain while doing any activity stop that immediately.

4. Ensure that when working the pressure on your hands and wrists are spread evenly. Switch hands and change positions often when you are doing repeated motions. Take breaks and rest your hands. Use correct posture.

5. Fluid retention can cause this so you need to restrict your salt intake.

6. If the pain and numbness gets bad use a wrist splint to keep it in a neutral position.

7. If you feel that certain equipment at work is giving this problem then ask your HR department to give you an alternate.