Written on March 31, 2008 – 10:31 pm | by Alex |

Top 4 Health Problems Caused By Computer Use

Health problems caused by computerI am frequent computer user. Of course it’s interesting to know how danger for my health computer can be. Working with computer for whole day is not rare nowadays. If it’s an aspect of our work or if we use computers just for fun, there are certain risks involved with prolonged computer use.

1. Eye Disease
It’s the first what occur to us, when we talk about computer harm (right?). Prolonged computer use could be linked to glaucoma, especially among those who are short-sighted. Our eyes are very badly affected by how long you stare at that bright screen. We stop blinking and start staring which makes our eyes strain and dry out. Make sure you look away from the screen and close them for a few seconds every few minutes.

We can find many information about eyes health, as Snuz made. And it’s very important not to forget about our eyes while working on computer.

2. Bad Posture
Bad posture is enemy number one. Check your posture now! You should be able to reach the keyboard and mouse whilst bending your elbows at 90 degrees, with your shoulders relaxed. If you are stretching, this could cause problems. Your back should be straight and the top of the monitor should be just below eye level. If your monitor is to the left or right of your keyboard you are putting strain on your neck.

Long periods of time at the computer while blogging, working or reading often leads to pain in the lumbar region of the back. Neck and shoulder problems also result from poor seating and the poor organization of equipment on the desk (stretching for the telephone or files etc).

Bad posture workin computer3. Hurting Hands
Your hand and wrist ache after working at the computer all day, and they sometimes start feeling numb. Research in recent years has found that things like typing and sewing rarely cause carpal tunnel. Wear splints while you work to keep your wrists from bending too high or low, and use a keyboard tray or adjust your chair so the keyboard and mouse are below your elbows and your wrists are level.

It is really important to give your fingers, wrists and hands a break from resting on the keyboard all day. A tennis ball is a great way to do this. Every time you need to think you should grab the ball and give it a few quick squeezes. This will do wonders for your joints and muscles.

4. Computer Stress Injuries
Many people suffer from structural problems related to the physical stress of sitting incorrectly, or for too long in front of their computers. So there are chances you’ve experienced a fair amount of computer stress, from minor frustrations here and there to a virtual visit to computer hell.

High levels of stress can kill you, don’t make mistakes! Highly stressful workers have a higher risk of developing heart diseases and even cancer. So make sure that you can manage your stress. Start making something to reduce it, don’t wait till computer stress will be the main problem in your life. Taking frequent breaks is an important step in preventing repetitive computer stress injuries.

Thus, it shows up that there are several problems that occur with prolonged computer use. It is also clear, however, that if certain rules of using computer are observed the risk of any of these problems can be minimized and computer users affected with computer related disorders can avoid or treat them. I consider that persons should have active lifestyle and an ergonomic computer work station, thereby even hardly computer working can’t affect their health.

What do you think?

Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!

Bookmark and Share
I follow your healthy comments
  • 8 Responses to “Top 4 Health Problems Caused By Computer Use”

    1. By Anthony on Apr 2, 2008 | Reply

      Hi,

      Nice blog and really interesting article. All people who works at the computer for long hours should be concerned about health issues computer work related.

      From my own experience I have to say that I’ve been prescribed artificial tears due to eye dryness and some sympthoms of carpal tunnel have started to show up lately.

      I used to be an active athlete, but nowadays I’ve become a little lazy, mainly because I like to run long distances and suffered a knee lesson back in 2005 while I was preparing to run a marathon. I’ve never recovered completely from that and suffer small pains from time to time.

      Now, I’m aware that as long as I belate exercising is for the worst so I started to run again last week for short distances, increasing the distance a little bit every time as I am feeling better.

      Well, just wanted to share my experience.
      regards
      Anthony

    2. By Alex on Apr 4, 2008 | Reply

      Hi, Anthony, you’re right the absence of exercises isn’t good for our body health. And I know, to start training again, when you have stopped, is very hard.
      Good luck in your running! Feel better anytime!
      Thanks for your experience.

    3. By mercola on Aug 20, 2008 | Reply

      There are equipment/tools available that would help reduce or avoid these problems. For example there are ergonomic keyboards and chairs that are especially made for prolonged computer use.

    4. By Sam on Oct 3, 2008 | Reply

      My computer is driving me insane but its more the fact it keeps crashing than the fact that I’m ill!
      My wrists do tend to hurt more and more though, I think I need to stop writing on blogs.

    5. By Cory on Oct 28, 2008 | Reply

      Alex, good reminder. I often find myself with eye strain at the end of the day. I know this will catch up with me sooner or later, so I suppose the solution is to take breaks since working at the computer less is not an option at this point.

    6. By Healthy Gaming on Nov 12, 2008 | Reply

      Thanks Alex.
      I also use a small foot rest, which keeps my feet at slight angle, which seems to help with my posture. I had to get that since my desk and chair are a little too high for me.

    7. By Natural Supplement Health on Apr 8, 2009 | Reply

      I have found that if you maintain an active life style (exercise), regardless of how much you use the computer, it seems to balance out fine.

      As soon as you stop being active for a while, various aches and pains related to prolonged computer use start to appear.

    1. 1 Trackback(s)

    2. Nov 8, 2008: Get Started With Blogging - Part 2 | Learn How To Make Money

    Post a Comment

    About

    Welcome to Healthy Health Lists. Each day or two I post great health lists selected or composed by me and you. These health lists, tips, tricks, facts and other things are easy to read, they will keep you in vitality and good mood. More

    Want to be healthy? Subscribe!

     Subscribe in a reader Or, subscribe via email:
    Enter your email address:  
    Find entries :