Are phones and tablets behind agonising syndrome that ruins the lives of 340,000 people in Britain? As cases surge by 25 per cent, experts warn that texting quadruples the risk – so here’s the simple way to tell if YOU’RE next…

british people They spend an average of three hours every day glued to their phones, scrolling, swiping and texting.

Experts warn that this habit can trigger a painful nerve disorder that can leave patients having difficulty grasping objects, performing basic daily tasks, and even sleeping.

More than 340,000 people in the UK are thought to have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which occurs when tissue inside the wrist swells and compresses a large nerve.

This condition can cause debilitating symptoms such as pain, tingling, weakness, numbness, and difficulty cognition.

Studies show that cases are increasing; some studies show rates may have increased by as much as 25 percent over the past two decades.

Experts increasingly believe that smartphones and tablets may be partly responsible.

Professor Adam Taylor, an anatomy expert from the University of Lancaster, said: ‘Carpal tunnel is incredibly common and it used to be that someone’s occupation was the main trigger, but we know that mobile phones and devices can be a significant trigger for many people.

‘This is because the way we hold our phones can put unnatural pressure on the tendons in our wrist. We believe that using phones for more than four hours a day puts people at risk.’

Last week, GP and Mail on Sunday columnist Dr. Ellie Cannon said the condition was among the most common illnesses seen in the clinic and questioned whether ‘this is partly due to our ever-increasing obsession with tapping our phones’.

In response, dozens of readers reached out, claiming their symptoms started after using a phone or tablet for long periods of time.

Christine Poles, 86, from Newport, said: ‘It all started when I got addicted to a game on my iPad and phone. I felt a distinct crackle while playing and that was it. It was too painful to play anymore and I’ve been in pain ever since.’

Another woman attributed her ‘addiction’ to the Candy Crush puzzle game.

A recent review of studies published in March supported the theory. Researchers analyzed data from 42 studies involving more than 67,000 people and found that increased cell phone use was linked to an increased likelihood of developing CTS. One study included in the review found that people who regularly used their phones for texting were four times more likely to develop CTS, while using the phone with two hands was linked to a seven-fold increase in risk.

‘This doesn’t mean that developing carpal tunnel is inevitable with excessive phone use. ‘Small changes, such as ensuring you hold the phone flat rather than bending the wrist, can relieve the pressure,’ says Professor Taylor. However, phone use is far from the only risk factor; Other risk factors include obesity, diabetes, and previous wrist injuries, as well as occupation.

CTS symptoms typically develop between the ages of 40 and 65, and are three times more likely to be diagnosed in women than in men.

‘Women have smaller carpal tunnel passages in their wrists, meaning they are more prone to the syndrome. But also the connective tissue tends to swell during menstruation, which increases the risk,’ Professor Taylor adds.

‘We know that the patient’s occupation is also an important factor; ‘Whether this is manual labour, which means putting repeated stress on the wrist, or a desk job where typing with poor posture is common.’

Simple exercises performed at home can relieve symptoms. Research by Oxford University has found that so-called ‘gliding’ exercises prevent surgery in one in five patients.

‘The sooner the patient starts these exercises after symptoms develop, the better,’ says Professor Annina Schmid, a carpal tunnel and pain specialist at the University of Oxford. ‘We now have really strong evidence that physiotherapy can reduce pain and prevent surgery in mild to moderate cases of carpal tunnel.’

Professor Schmid also recommends wearing a wrist splint.

She adds: ‘Research shows that the best time to wear it is at night. There is no additional benefit to wearing this all the time; We actually want people to use their hands normally.

‘It doesn’t need to be expensive – one from the pharmacy will do just fine – but make sure it covers your thumb and has a metal backing on the back.’

But experts warn that people should seek medical attention if symptoms persist despite exercise, disrupt sleep or interfere with daily life.

If left untreated, this condition can cause permanent nerve damage and wasting of the muscles in the hand due to lack of use. While patients with more severe CTS are often recommended steroid injections to relieve inflammation and pain, some may require surgery.

Professor Schmid says: ‘As well as being a more severe form of carpal tunnel, typical symptoms such as tingling or loss of sensation can also be a sign of serious health problems such as diabetic neuropathy or spine problems. Therefore, if the pain interferes with daily life or persists for six weeks, you should consult a GP.’