Very few people are aware of the health hazards of electronic gadgets cause. We bring three of the most common disorders that these widgets cause and the ways to prevent them
These days, life without a laptop seems impossible. More and more people are switching from desktops to laptops, as these gadgets occupy less space, are portable, and look trendy too.
Among all these advantages, laptops have a very big disadvantage. They cause health hazards and gradually they are affecting the well-being of the users.
Similar to Silent Killer Diseases which show no symptoms, using laptops can lead to various ailments which gradually impinge on the human body without the knowledge of the user.
Physicians advise to avoid keeping laptops on one’s lap, contradictory to the main purpose of the creation of ‘lap’-‘tops’!
We bring you three ailments caused by laptops, as well as precautions that can help preventing these diseases.
Musculoskeletal Injury:
Constant use of laptops is a strenuous activity that may lead to damage of muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and more. Sitting for long hours at a stretch can lead to various musculoskeletal injuries.
Most of us do not have a dedicated place for working on laptops. From benches at railway stations to the dining table at home, people work on these devices almost anywhere! This causes the elbows to remain perched in the air causing elbow, shoulder, and neck pains.
The user may also experience contraction of the back muscles due to the wrong positioning of the screen.
Keeping the laptop in the correct position and following the rules laid for ergonomics of use is very crucial. This will help prevent injuries.
Infertility:
Using a laptop on the lap affects the sperm count and may also result in infertility. The heat generated by these widgets harms the scrotum area of males. The only solution to avoid this affliction is to keep the laptop away from the body or keep a cushion or stand in between.
Optical Ailments:
Continuously working in front of the laptop screen can result in Computer Vision Syndrome. The common symptoms of this syndrome include headaches, neck pain, eye fatigue, watery eyes, and visual discomfort.
Users should wash their eyes at regular intervals and adjust the resolution & image brightness at a level that it does not put strain to the eye. Placing the laptop at the correct position is equally important.
Working on laptops may also cause nearsightedness or Myopia, which makes distant objects look blurred. To avoid developing this disease, one should blink every few minutes to prevent drying of the eyes. Another tested way to avoid this ailment is to follow the 20-20-20 principle – every 20 minutes, look at an item placed 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This exercise would certainly help prevent the disorder.
New technological advancements bring with them both advantages, as well as disadvantages. Similarly, laptops have made life simpler, but at the same time they cause health issues too. Hence, it is significant to take proper precautionary measures.
Save yourself before it is too late!
