Monday, June 14, 2010
Technology can be bad for your health
Are your eyes getting tired looking at the computer? Having trouble sleeping? Here is some information to help avoid problems that can occur due technology overload.
• Hearing. Cell phones and other similar devices can be used to play music that if louder than 85 decibels can damage hearing. The sounds heard through the earphones used with these devices can reach 100 decibels or more. That’s loud enough to start damaging your hearing after only 15 minutes. If you can’t hear someone next to you talking in a normal tone of voice, turn it down. The volume is too loud.
• Computer vision syndrome. Computer use may cause dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches and nearsightedness. Try to minimize glare, and after 20 minutes of use rest your eyes for a minute by looking away from the screen. The display on a computer screen is only 72 dpi and a printed copy is easier to read.
• Insomnia. Cell phones, computers, etc. should not be used within 1 to 2 hours of bedtime as they can keep you from sleeping. These devices emit a form of light that mimics daylight. If you use them too close to bedtime it tricks your brain into thinking it’s time to be awake.
• Concentration. Carnegie Mellon University scientists found that merely listening to a conversation on a cell phone reduced the amount of brain activity devoted to driving by 37%. This is most likely due to the extra attention needed to comprehend spoken words. British researcher Nick Reed found texting while driving slows reaction time more than alcohol.
• Texting tendonitis. This repetitive motion can trigger pain and swelling in your hands and wrists. To avoid this, limit texting and switch hands and fingers often.
Dr. Paul H. Deutsch is board-certified in Internal Medicine, a member of The William W. Backus Hospital Medical Staff and in private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Dr. Deutsch or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
• Hearing. Cell phones and other similar devices can be used to play music that if louder than 85 decibels can damage hearing. The sounds heard through the earphones used with these devices can reach 100 decibels or more. That’s loud enough to start damaging your hearing after only 15 minutes. If you can’t hear someone next to you talking in a normal tone of voice, turn it down. The volume is too loud.
• Computer vision syndrome. Computer use may cause dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches and nearsightedness. Try to minimize glare, and after 20 minutes of use rest your eyes for a minute by looking away from the screen. The display on a computer screen is only 72 dpi and a printed copy is easier to read.
• Insomnia. Cell phones, computers, etc. should not be used within 1 to 2 hours of bedtime as they can keep you from sleeping. These devices emit a form of light that mimics daylight. If you use them too close to bedtime it tricks your brain into thinking it’s time to be awake.
• Concentration. Carnegie Mellon University scientists found that merely listening to a conversation on a cell phone reduced the amount of brain activity devoted to driving by 37%. This is most likely due to the extra attention needed to comprehend spoken words. British researcher Nick Reed found texting while driving slows reaction time more than alcohol.
• Texting tendonitis. This repetitive motion can trigger pain and swelling in your hands and wrists. To avoid this, limit texting and switch hands and fingers often.
Dr. Paul H. Deutsch is board-certified in Internal Medicine, a member of The William W. Backus Hospital Medical Staff and in private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Dr. Deutsch or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
# posted by ----------------- @ 4:36 PM 
