If you might spend more than 6 hours Living Tired per day sitting in front of a computer either for work or pleasure, then it is high time to self-educate on relevant health-related problems and solutions to be taken.
Regular computer use could be the source of significant health depression due to: Prolonged sitting position which causes strain in muscles, nerves, and blood vessels; Poor posture triggering bone and organ displacements as well as bad blood flow; Inappropriate working conditions and environment, including inappropriately adjusted computer/chair/table position, flickering screen glare and poor eating habits affecting our metabolic reactions and relevant health dysfunctions;
Lack of face-to-face human interaction inclining oneself to cyber addiction, depression as well as psychosomatic reactions. Fortunately, preventive measures and initial treatment of all the health issues caused by computer use could be taken daily, including easy-to-do office exercises.
Health Issues Caused by Computer Use
A sedentary way of life spent in front of a computer screen causes many health problems. The welcome news is that anyone could perform preventive measures to avoid the symptoms and diseases caused by prolonged sitting and computer screen glare. Let’s begin by learning all the risks:
1. Neck, Shoulder, and Back Pain
If to investigate the background causes of neck, shoulder, and back pain (sometimes even leg pain) of white-collars, poor muscle tone, sandwiched nerves, and poor blood circulation is the most widely spread one. These are common problems occurring due to a sedentary way of life. For example, weak spine muscles could lead to vertebral displacements, which in turn might clench nerves or blood vessels, causing terrible back pain and other health issues.
2. Computer Vision Syndrome
CVS or Digital Eye Strain is not one specific eye problem. This health problem encompasses various eye strain and pain issues experienced by computer users: double vision, irritated, red eyes, wet or dry eyes, etc. The symptoms mentioned could be caused by poor lighting, a digital screen glare, improper viewing distances, poor seating posture, uncorrected vision problems, a combination of the factors (American Optometric Association [AOA], n.d.).
3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, USA, gives the following description: carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist (NINDS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Information Page, 2016).
Namely, a painful progressive condition caused by the compression of a key nerve in a wrist is another health issue caused by prolonged computer use. Data-entry personnel is at great risk of acquiring it.
4. Repetitive Strain Injury
RSI is a general term used to describe the pain in muscles, nerves, and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse. The condition mostly affects parts of the upper body: forearms and elbows, wrists and hands, neck and shoulders (National Health Service [NHS], 2016).
5. Metabolic Disorders
Dr. Mercola, an osteopathic physician and New York Times bestselling author, suggests that prolonged sitting is linked to weight gain and associated biochemical changes, such as alterations in hormones, metabolic dysfunction, leptin dysfunction, and inflammation – all of which could promote cancer (Mercola, 2015).
The following logical chain could explain a simple example of a relevant metabolic disorder: prolonged sitting causes mushy abdominal muscles. These, in turn, lead to varied stomach problems triggering obesity, which prevents proper breathing and triggers other issues.
6. Heart Diseases
Sneak muscles burn less fat. sedentary lifestyle with its lack of physical activity depresses our muscles. Relevantly, blood flows more sluggishly, allowing fatty acids to clog the heart vessels easily. When our body’s need for oxygen transmitted with blood is not being met, apart from minor problems (e.g., occasional arrhythmia), lethal consequences might happen (heart attack and stroke).
7. Brain Blood Circulation Loss
Our brain metabolism might be dysfunctional due to a sedentary way of life. The brain of a healthy individual receives 15% of cardiac blood output and uses 20% of total body oxygen and 25% of total body glucose (Zauner, & Muizelaar, 1997). Accordingly, blood pressure loss across cerebral circulation, possibly triggered by heart diseases or other reasons for bad blood flow, leads to neurotransmitters’ dysfunction, the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body. This imbalance can also cause headaches, affect sleep and mood, and cause adverse health problems.
8. Leg Degeneration
Legs might also suffer from prolonged sitting. Varicose veins and blood clots could be caused by poor blood circulation in the legs. Moreover, weak bones and even hip problems could be the results of poor motion and sedentary habits. All these affect our overall sustaining power and might lead to often fractures when falling.
9. Cyber Addiction
This is a psychological disorder connected with computer use addiction. Our cognitive abilities decrease if every activity is performed through the Internet: shopping, banking, socializing, etc. What is more, cyber-addicted people experience decreased concentration and focus when doing work off the computer, making it very uncomfortable and even dangerous for the society they interact with.
10. Depression
Mental stresses and constant work overloads lead to depressions of the office staff. When the deadline for a project is close, it gets hard to take a break from the computer work routine, which involves mental stress. If no preventive measures for improving one’s spiritual condition are taken, the rising depression might also cause physical harm.
Ways to Relieve the Symptoms and Prevent the Diseases
It is never late to start caring about yourself! Whether you are an office employee or use your PC daily for education or pleasure for a prolonged time, the below-mentioned ways of preventing computer use problems might be convenient:
1. Back, Neck, and Shoulders Strain and Pain Minimization
To minimize pain and strain in your back, neck, and shoulders after prolonged sitting, the following measures are required:
Repeated physical exercises, Properly adjusted working environment, Proper seating posture, Regular breaks. UCLA Spine Center highlights that “No matter how comfortable you are at your desk, prolonged, static posture is not good for your back. Try to remember to stand, stretch and walk at least a minute or two every half hour… ” (Ergonomics for Prolonged Sitting, n.d.).
2. Overcome Computer Vision Syndrome
It’s not so difficult to arrange appropriate working conditions to prevent CVS. According to the already mentioned American Optometric Association, the actions to be taken are: distribute light with a desk lamp; put a monitor glare filter, position your monitor appropriately – slightly below eye level, about 20 to 28 inches away from the face; you shouldn’t strain your eyes to see the screen; look away from the screen every 20 min (American Optometric Association [AOA], n.d.).
3. Prevent / Decrease Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
According to the American National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the initial treatment of CTS generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist (NINDS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Information Page, 2016). Repeated but light exercises might help as preventive measures. For example, a compressed key nerve in your wrist could be prevented by circular wrist movements performed on repeated occasions during a working day.
