More and more people use computers on a daily basis for professional, entertainment and informational purposes. Although it has now become a vital tool, prolonged use is associated with certain health problems.
Read the scientific article, what dangers does prolonged computer use hide!
Christina I. Bountouri
General – Family Doctor
1) Problems due to body posture
Frequent computer use is associated with pain in the lower back, the back, the shoulder, the neck, the hands, as well as headaches. Damage to muscles and joints is caused or aggravated by poor body posture, prolonged sitting, and incorrect height of chair‑desk‑computer.
Although the seated position requires less muscular effort than standing, it still causes muscle fatigue, as the body must remain stable for long periods of time.
Tips for avoiding problems due to body posture.
Replace the desk with one specially designed for computer use.
Position your computer screen at eye level or slightly lower.
Place the keyboard at a height that allows the elbows to rest comfortably at your sides and the wrists to be almost parallel to the floor.
Adjust the chair so that the feet rest loosely on the floor or use a footrest.
Use an ergonomic chair, specially designed to help the spine maintain its natural curvature.
Take frequent and short breaks, stand up regularly, and do stretches.
2) Problems due to excessive hand use
The muscles and tendons can become painful due to the repetitive small movements made while typing. Usually the elbow and wrist are affected and the symptoms include pain, swelling, joint stiffness, weakness and numbness.
Tips to avoid problems caused by repetitive use
Place the mouse as close as possible to the keyboard.
Use the whole hand and not just the wrist when using the mouse.
Type lightly and gently.
Remove your hands from the keyboard when you are not typing, so that you rest your hands.
3) Eye strain
The close distance between the eyes and the screen forces the eye muscles to work harder. Additionally, focusing on the screen from the same distance for a long period results in greater fatigue. The backlit computer screen can also tire the eyes. Eye strain manifests as blurry vision, temporary difficulty focusing on distant objects, and headaches.
Tips to avoid eye strain
Make sure that the main light source (e.g., the sun coming through the window) does not shine directly on your face or on the computer screen.
Tilt the screen slightly to avoid reflections.
Make sure the screen is not too close to your face.
Position your computer screen at eye level or slightly lower.
Reduce the contrast and brightness of your screen.
Take your eyes away from the screen at regular intervals and focus on distant objects.
Source: iatropedia.gr
