Thursday, September 17, 2009

Aching Fingers is Normal!

I have been having aching fingers since late last month. And it is getting bad to worse. My toes are also swollen. Went to see my gynea yesterday and she told me that this is normal as about 80% of pregnant woman will experience water retention.

I found from the net on this and I have pasted the info in my blog for my reference, just in case the website changes in future:-
http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/carpal-tunnel.aspx
http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/work-issues/health-and-safety/coping-with-carpal-tunnel.aspx

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[1] Tingling Hands (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)

What it is: Numbness, a "pins-and-needles" sensation, or aching in the hands and wrists, especially noticeable at night.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome: Pregnancy swelling puts pressure on a key nerve in the wrists and causes the same aching and tingling symptoms most often associated with ergonomic strain and repetitive motion. (Of course, if you're pregnant and having ergonomic strain or doing repetitive motion, you're twice as likely to experience it.)
What you need to know about tingling hands: If you're feeling these symptoms more at night, it's because the fluids that accumulate in the lower part of your body during the day are redistributed elsewhere, including your hands, when you lie down. (Kind of reverse gravity.) And of course, if you've been at a computer all day long, nighttime leaves your carpal nerve with a double whammy. Luckily, though, this symptom should disappear after delivery as your swelling diminishes.
What to do about tingling hands: If you work at a computer, or do any other activity that requires repetitive motion, like playing the piano or filing, take frequent hand-stretching breaks. If typing, type gently, making sure your wrists are straight and your elbows are higher than your hands.
(a) Try not to sleep on your hands.
(b) Use a pillow to prop up your arms at night.
(c) Shake your hands & wrists out frequently. At night, you can hang your hand over the side of the bed & shake it.
(d) It may help to limit or avoid caffeine and stay away from tobacco (which you should definitely be doing, anyway).
(e) If you're in a lot of pain, try a wrist brace. Ask your practitioner which kind to buy.
Acupuncture might help — ask your practitioner for a recommendation.


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[2] Coping With Carpal Tunnel

Even women who have never experienced a repetitive strain injury before are vulnerable to it during pregnancy. If you spend your day tap-tap-tapping on a keyboard, you may already be familiar with the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) — that well-known worker’s malady that causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands due to too much time spent doing repetitive tasks. What you might not know, however, is that more than a quarter of expectant moms develop CTS during pregnancy, whether or not they ever go near a computer, thanks to swollen tissue in the body that presses on nerves (the same swollen tissue that makes it impossible for you to remove your wedding ring, or tell your ankles from your calves).

With carpal tunnel syndrome, the swelling takes place in the narrow "tunnel" in the wrist through which key nerves connect to the hand and fingers. The result is the pain, tingling, burning, and numbness that accompany nerve compression. CTS tends to kick in during the second half of pregnancy, and often seems to be worse at night, when the fluid that had been accumulating in your lower extremities during the day (thanks to gravity) has an opportunity to redistribute itself throughout your body and into your upper extremities.

Still, some pregnant women find that carpal tunnel takes its greatest toll in the workplace. Trying to work through an attack is not easy, and can be very painful. The good news is that carpal tunnel syndrome is not dangerous and usually subsides after delivery. And luckily, there are a number of remedies you can try until you see the light at the end of the carpal tunnel:
(a) Raise your office chair so that your wrists are straight and your hands are lower than your elbows as you type.
(b) Switch to a wrist-friendly ergonomic keyboard.
(c) Get mouse and keyboard pads that provide wrist support.
(d) Wear a wrist brace while typing.
(e) Take frequent breaks from the computer.
(f) Use a speakerphone or headset if you’re on the phone a lot.
(g) In the evenings, soak your hands in cool water to reduce any swelling.


Other possible remedies include vitamin B6 supplements (ask your practitioner before taking any supplements), acupuncture, or pain relievers (again, check before you take any medication).
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And so, it is only normal for me to feel the finger aches when I play and practice on my pianos. Ok, knowing that this is normal, I am not so worried now. But maybe, I need to cut down on the time I spend practising the piano? At the same time, I was hoping to learn as much as I can before my baby comes out. I don't think I will have as much free time to spend playing on the piano after the baby is out. So, hopefully I can strike a balance. I don't want to hurt my fingers permanently.

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