How do i know if its athritis or carpal tunnel. this numbness is going on for a month now. help!?

Refer to answer: If you are experiencing numbness in the hands without other symptoms it is most likely carpal tunnel syndrome. Arthritis would cause painful swollen joints with stiffness but not necessarily associated with numbness. Without more information a more specific answer is not possible. An evaluation by your physician would probably be the best course of action.

Arthritis/Carpal: Carpal tunnel is typically manifested by numbness and/or tingling in the thumb, index, long, and half of the ring finger. Although aching may be reported, numbness and pins/needles are more common. It can be reproduced by holding your wrist in the bent forward position for well over a minute or may be considered if you can elicit tingling with forcible tapping over the underside of the wrist.