Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes & Risks

Causes

Carpal tunnel syndrome is created by pressure on the median nerve caused by the narrowing of the carpal tunnel. The narrowing can be caused by a variety of factors including:

Swelling of tissue in carpal tunnel due to injury or fluid changes in the body
Hereditary narrow carpal tunnel
Tumors (rare)

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Risk factors include:

Sex: female
Advancing age
Obesity
Excessive alcohol consumption
Smoking
Activities with repetitive hand motions:
- Certain sports
- Sewing
- Playing musical instruments
- Typing
- Assembly tasks
Water retention from:
- Heart failure
- Kidney problems
Wrist injury:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Compression or crush injuries
Arthritis
Diabetes
Raynaud's disease which impairs blood flow in the hands
Hormone-related conditions:
- Pregnancy
- Breast-feeding
- Menopause
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing's disease
- Excess growth hormone
Medications:
- Birth control pills
- Cortisone pills or shots
- Some high blood pressure drugs

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.