Technology have made life very easy but there are many health issues that have increased due to it. As it is said, ‘every coin has two sides’, so as the technology. Technology is not always a good thing. If someone drives a car all day long (like the taxi drivers) they could develop some serious back problems with time, same is the case with a person sitting in front of a computer (most of us do) he could end up with serious problems like loss of hearing, computer vision syndrome (vision loss), generalized anxiety disorder, E-thrombosis and back problems, these things contradict ‘technology’ always as a boon.
Here are enlisted a few health problems in detail which anyone of us could face by the extensive use of technology.
1. Vision loss
You might have heard of tunnel vision, which is an effect caused after focusing your eyes for a long term on your bright computer screen. This effect causes painful strain in your eyes which may result in decrease in your peripheral vision leading to serious visual impairments. This is also called as ‘Computer Vision Syndrome’. This effect is much more amplified when you see the flashy graphics and text scrolling on the screen.
Tip to avoid: The tunnel vision disorder can be avoided if you frequently get up in between doing your job on your computer and look at something else for a while.
2. Hearing disorders
The popular iPod and MP3 players are doing more harm than good, especially to the hearing of the user. Before, music used to be blasted from the speakers of home audio systems, then with the Walkman, the gap between sound and ear got omitted by the muff-style headphones. The problem is now more critical due to the in-ear headphone used in most of the handheld MP3 players which pump the sound directly into the ear.
Tip to avoid: Doctors recommend that using a muff-style headphone is a lot safer than an in-ear headphone and keep the volume in limit.
3. Obesity and other eating disorders
Obesity stats continues to rise at a disturbing pace and this all is happening due to the convenience provided by the technology. These conditions are mostly seen in children who use to play video games and watch TV all the time rather than playing any outdoor games. As a result of the obesity, the development of chronic health conditions once reserved for aging populations starts to appear in teenagers.
Tip to avoid: Suggest the children to play outdoor games and limit their time to sit in front of the screen. Avoid eating outside and junk food.
4. Carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a wrist and hand disorder which is usually very painful. Carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel formed in between the bones and other tissues of your wrist. It protects the median nerve, which helps us to move our thumb and the first three fingers on each hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome comes into picture when other tissues in carpal tunnel (such as tendons and ligaments) get a swelling or inflammation and are pressed against the median nerve. The pressure produced can make a part of your hand hurt or feel numb.
Tip to avoid: Avoid holding your wrist part in a downward bent position for longer periods of time. Putting a pillow beneath your arm when you lie down also helps. Just avoid the overuse of the hand.
5. Cancer
Do cell phones cause cancer? Not an apt answer is available for this particular question but some scientists believe that there is a rise in possibility of having cancer increases when someone carries a cellphone with him. Cellular phones deal with radio frequencies, a form of electromagnetic energy which is located between radio waves and the micro waves on the electromagnetic spectrum. The amount of RF a person is exposed to with the use of a cell phone depends on a number of factors like distance from the nearest base station, duration of the cell phone use, its frequency and age of the phone.
Tip to avoid: Even if this isn’t proven, this doesn’t mean you cannot take any precautionary steps. Don’t keep your cell phone near to your body, especially the upper part. Using a cell phone holster attached to your belt would be a good option.
There is a possibility that you might not be affected by any of these because these issues happen after a long term exposure to computers and cell phones and thus their occurrence is dependent on the frequency of your usage. Many other severe conditions like back problems, E-thrombosis, generalized anxiety disorder, etc. may also happen by the extensive use of computers but can be avoided by proper consultation on the usage of technology. Now, it is on you how to take care of yourself. Keep updated about your body problems and take necessary actions.
