Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the wrist at the carpal tunnel and causes pain, numbness and tingling in the part of the hand that receives sensation from the median nerve.
The main symptom of CTS is intermittent numbness of the thumb, index, and middle (long) fingers and the radial (thumb) side of the ring finger. The numbness often occurs at night, with hypothesized reasons related to sleep position - such as the wrists being held in a flexed position during sleep or sleeping on one's side.

What are the Causes?

The medical cause of CTS is a compression of the median nerve, although physicians aren’t sure what the underlying causes are. However, several common factors were found to correlate with the development of CTS:
Obesity
Oral contraceptives
Hypothyroidism
Arthritis
Diabetes
Prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance)
Trauma to the region

Prevention

The prevention of CTS begins with comfort – reducing the levels of stress, using ergonomic equipment, and taking breaks from repetitive actions. All of these have been suggested by physicians as preventative measures for CTS. Other suggested prevention methods involve proper intake of B-vitamins, performing stretches and strength-training the joint.

Treatments

Acupuncture

A recent study from 2014 found that even after a single session of acupuncture, patients displayed a significant increase in their grip strength and reported reduced symptoms.

Taking Steroids Orally/Injections

Steroids, taken orally or via shots are helpful in numbing the pain. They are, however, not a treatment, as they do not heal the underlying cause of CTS. If you’re taking steroids for the pain, but your median nerve is still pinched, the pain will resume once you stop taking the steroids. Furthermore, long-term use of steroids can lead to various conditions, such as high blood pressure and glaucoma, and even ruptured tendons.

Wearing a Splint

A physician would recommend using a splint as the final step, before a surgery is necessary. A split will keep your wrist from moving too much, thus preventing an aggravation of the condition, eventually helping it heal. You may even have to sleep with the splint if your sleeping position is what causes the pinching of the median nerve.