Why Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Flare Up at Night

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Given the fact that carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common wrist and hand conditions, it's not surprising that it's frequently diagnosed. However, many people confuse pain in the wrist or hand with carpal tunnel syndrome.

In reality, the most common signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are tingling or numbness in the hand. As the condition progresses, that numbness can lead to weakness, with some people with carpal tunnel syndrome finding that they have a difficult time picking up or holding onto objects.

One of the most common complaints among patients who have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome is that their symptoms flare up and worsen at night, which can make it difficult to get comfortable and get to sleep.

This is not your imagination. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms do tend to intensify at nighttime because:



• You are inactive and resting at nighttime. The lack of blood flow in the area heightens the severity of the symptoms.
• You have fewer distractions as you are beginning to wind down and go to sleep, which makes it easier to focus on the discomfort and numbness in your hand.
• You may experience more stress and anxiety at nighttime, which can exacerbate feelings of pain and discomfort.
• You may experience hormonal shifts at nighttime that can increase fluid in the body and ultimately increase the pressure on your wrist.

One of the best ways to sleep better with carpal tunnel syndrome is to adjust your sleep positioning. The best sleeping positions for people with carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Sleeping on your back. By sleeping on your back with your legs elevated or propped, you can naturally reduce pressure on the spine. With less pressure on the spine, you can minimize the risk of compressing the nerves in the shoulders, elbows, and wrist, ultimately improving your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
• Sleeping on your side. While sleeping on your side can help alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, it's important to be aware of the fact that you need to support your body if you are going to sleep on your side. Use pillows to support your legs and knees, and hug a body pillow to avoid going into the fetal position. With proper support, you can sleep comfortably without increasing tunnel pressure in your body.



Avoid sleeping on your stomach or in the fetal position, because both of these sleeping positions can increase tunnel pressure in your body and exacerbate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Monitor the amount of fluids that you consume. While it's essential to stay hydrated, you will want to avoid retaining fluids which can increase swelling and pressure on the median nerve. Avoiding fluid retention is particularly important for women who are experiencing hormonal fluctuations, which could contribute to their carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.

Beyond working to minimize your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms at night, you can begin to make lifestyle changes that benefit you as a whole. These lifestyle changes can help you better manage your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms as well as allow you to live a healthier, more fulfilling life:

• Enjoy a healthy, well-balanced diet on a regular basis. If sleep is difficult for you, consider enjoying foods that are rich in tryptophan during your evening meal, such as turkey, baked potatoes, milk, oatmeal, and eggs.
• Take an evening walk after dinner. Light exercise throughout the day is very beneficial, but an evening walk can allow your body to begin preparing for sleep.
• Begin practicing yoga or incorporate meditation into your bedtime routine. These practices can promote mindfulness and can help you feel more calm and rested when you get into bed.