This Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday March
21st at Henry J. Bean’s saw a number of special announcements in addition to the
regular speaker.
This Sunday was significant to the PCEC as the longstanding
venue of Henry J. Bean’s is to undergo a refurbishment programme over the next
few weeks and subsequently the meetings over this period will be temporarily
relocated. This week’s MC Roger Fox announced that until further notice the
Sunday meetings will be held in the Rim Suan Room in the Amari Hotel’s Garden
Wing.
Dr Chutidet describes the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, how to avoid it,
and the best means of treating it.
Henry J. Bean’s staff was asked to take the stage and
received special thanks for their efforts.
Numerous comments of a nostalgic nature were made but the
newly refurbished Henry J. Bean’s was eagerly awaited. To see out the ‘old Henry
J. Bean’s’ and to welcome in ‘the new’, a Closing Down Party was held Monday
March 22 during which time all remaining alcoholic drinks in the restaurant were
required to be consumed. The discounted cost for PCEC members was 850 baht.
On a more sober note, it was announced that John Fishback had
resigned from the PCEC board. In accordance with the club’s by-laws the board
appointed Judith Edmunds to assume the vacancy and welcomed her participation in
the club’s operation.
Paul Strachan of Pattaya Mail TV announced the further
development of the new ‘Ask the Experts’ TV series. He asked that any PCEC
members who consider that they have perceived expertise in any relevant topic
should volunteer for consultation as part of the new show.
The morning’s main speaker, Dr Chutidet Homcharoen, is
introduced by Phyathai Sriracha Hospitals’ Gavin Waddell.
The next Frugal Freddie dinner was planned for Monday March
22 at the new Continental Bakery location adjacent to the LK Hotel complex just
off Pattaya Klang.
The morning’s main speaker was then introduced by Phyathai
Hospital’s Gavin Waddell. Dr Chutidet Homcharoen is a specialist in hand and
wrist injuries and retired from the Royal Thai Army where he achieved the rank
of colonel. The subject of Dr Chutidet’s talk was Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the wrist and
hand. The carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel formed by the bones and other tissues
of the wrist. This tunnel protects the median nerve. The median nerve helps the
movement of the thumbs and the first three fingers on each hand.
Repetitive hand movements can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is most common in people whose jobs require pinching or gripping with the
wrist held bent. People at risk include people who use computers, carpenters,
grocery checkers, assembly-line workers, meat packers, musicians and mechanics.
Women are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men. It also tends
to be hereditary. It may also be caused by an injury to the wrist, such as a
fracture.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness or
tingling in your hand and fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle
fingers; pain in the wrist, palm or forearm; increased numbness or pain at night
rather than during the day.
Treatment should begin as soon as possible, under a doctor’s
direction. Any underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated
first. Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist
for at least two weeks, avoiding any activities that may worsen the symptoms.
Additional treatment includes the modification of wrist
posture and, if the symptoms persist after an initial period with conservative
treatment, surgery then becomes the treatment of choice.
The regular Open Forum was then underway, led by Hawaii Bob,
and this proved to be the usual lively and entertaining session.
For more information regarding not only of PCEC Sunday
meetings but also the varied mid week activities, please see the Community
Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or, for more details, visit the club’s
website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
