HEALTH HAZARDS OF USING COMPUTER

Abstract 

The computer related injuries cover a wide variety of health problems caused by or contributed by computer usage, which are all preventable. The most common reported medical problems are strain, conjunctivitis and dermatitis etc.

Introduction 

Health hazards are chemical, physical or biological factors in our environment that can have negative impact on our short –or –long term health. Exposure can occur through touch, inhalation and ingestion. Understanding the risks of these hazards can help us to take action to avoid or mitigate these risks. You can help avoid Computer-related injuries with the proper furniture, better posture and good working habits. Parents should put sensible time limits on their children’s computer use and video-game playing. Computer related injuries which began to be reported in India five years ago are now developing into an epidemic among computer users. It is estimated that worldwide, 25% of computer users are already suffering from computer related injuries. Now a day’s use of computers become more popular as like mobile phones and as a result it provides some hazards to humans, which can be classified as physical and mental illness.

OBJECTIVES 

Rapid developments in science and technology have caused these illnesses to come into our daily lives. The increasing functions of computers as well as the decrease in their cost have also made these technological devices be used in our homes. T he fact that the use of computers has become compulsory in many business areas causes people to face these technologies in their profession lives as well. If we consider that a person using a computer for an average of 1 hour a day will use it for 64 years, it appears that his or her will spend 2.6 years in his or her life in front of a computer. It is certain that this period of time is much longer for computer programmers and operators, researchers and other individuals working in the industry of information technologies is likely to cause various illnesses for individuals and a great disaster to society through internet and other cyber-crimes. So through this study we can provides an awareness of illness and the side effects caused to human by computer.

Physical illness 

The frequent use of computer may cause the following illness to human

Arthritis 

According to researchers in the United States using a computer can have an impact on those suffering from arthritis [American Optometric Association]. Even though computers have become increasingly common in daily life, little is known about how their use on a daily basis might affect those with arthritis; Computer use is a known risk factor for pain and musculoskeletal disorders and arthritis sufferers are more at risk because of difficulties performing tasks due to pain, restricted movement, muscle weakness, or fatigue. A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has examined this topic in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA], Osteoarthritis [OA] and Fibromyalgia [FM]. The study involved 315 arthritis patients who completed to special-designed survey that contained questions on computer use discomfort experienced while using a chair, desk, keyboard, mouse and monitor, and problems associated with each piece of equipment. The result showed that many people with arthritis experience both discomfort and problems that could lead to walk Irritations: The problems experienced included finding a comfortable position while using the computer and in manipulating the keyboard and mouse. 

Back Pain:

Back pain due to computer usage is a most common problem seen in 4 out of 5 persons at any point of life, caused due to long hours of working in front of computer or bad posture while using the computer and lack of practicing relaxing exercisers before using the computers.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome [CTS] 

CTS are idiopathic median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel. The path of physiology is not completely understood but can be considered compression of the median nerve travelling through the carpal tunnel 

The main symptom of CTS is intermittent numbness of the thumb, index, long and radial half of the ring finger. The numbness usually occurs at night because we tend to sleep with our wrists flexed and relieved by wearing a wrist spint that prevent flexion. Long-standing CTS leads to permanent nerve damage with constant numbness, atrophy of some of the muscles of the thinner eminence, and weakness of palmar abduction

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is considered by some to be a form of repetitive stress injury, and as such, is caused by repetitive motions, most famously from long hours of computer keyboard use. However, while studies have found associations between some work activities.

‘Keyboard Wrist Pads’ 

These’ keyboard wrist pads’ appear to be the equivalent of knuckle pads, which may develop due to chronic pressure or friction. 

Computer vision syndrome 

Computers have significantly impacted cognitive, social, physical, and various other aspects of the modern daily lives of computer users. Extensive literature in ergonomics and optometry has indicated that computer use is closely associated with various visual problems which are referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome [CVS] in medical science.

Laptop usage can lead to low sperm count and infertility 

Laptops may be one of the most useful inventions in the world, a quite frightening study was released that linked laptop usage to infertility in males. The study, released by the State University of New York, suggests that the heat generated from laptops can significantly elevate the temperature of one’s scrotum, potentially putting sperm count at risk. While the laptop may be making us more efficient in the workplace, when it comes to bringing home the bacon and expanding the family unit- laptops may make male sperm count drop. 

Obesity 

The Computer use involves the use of few muscles, the advent of the computer and its involvement in virtually every aspect of modern day living has greatly reduced the amount of life’s activities that involve whole body muscular exercise. 

Further many people spend their spare and leisure time in additional computer related activities such as texting, playing video games and on internet rather than in outdoor activities. These factors make the body produce excessive cortisol a hormonal biochemical produced by the body and which has been shown to be one of the culprits responsible for obesity.

Psychological illness 

Previous studies have focused on how too much screen time can cause physical affections, such as headaches, eye strain, and backache. Now one of the biggest ever investigations into the hazards of computers in the workplace has concluded that they can also damage mental health.

Computer Addiction 

Eventually, excessive computer use can take an emotional toll. The user gradually withdraws into an artificial world.

Internet Addiction 

We all enjoy the benefits of the internet and for many of us it is also an indispensible tool for work, education, and communication. While time spent on the internet can be hugely productive, for some people compulsive internet use can interfere with daily life, work and relationships. 

When you feel more comfortable with your online friends than your real ones, or you can’t stop yourself from playing games, gambling, on compulsively surfing, even when it has negative consequences in your life, then you may be using the internet too much. Internet Addiction, otherwise known as computer addiction, online addiction, or internet addiction [IAD], covers a variety of impulse Control problems, including

• Cybersex Addiction- compulsive use of internet pornography, adult chat rooms, or adult fantasy role-play sites impacting negativity on real-life intimate relationships. 
• Cyber- Relationship Addiction- addiction to social networking, chat rooms and messaging to the paint where virtual, online friends become more important than reallife relationships with family and friends. 
• Net Compulsions- such as compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading, or compulsive use of online auction sites such as eBay, often resulting in financial and job – related problems 
• Information Overload- compulsive web surfing or database searching, leading to lower work productivity and less social interaction with family and friends. 
• Computer Addiction- obsessive playing of off-line computer games, such as Solitaire Minesweeper, or obsessive computer programming. 

The most common of these internet addictions are cybersex, online gambling and cyberrelationship addiction.

Depression 

Sitting in front f a computer screen for five hours a day can dramatically increase the risk of depression and insomnia, new research suggests, in a three-year survey of 25000 workers, many complained of feeling depressed, anxious and reluctant to get up for work in the mornings. They were also plagued by broken sleep and reported problems getting along with fellow employees. 

The study by researchers of China University in Japan concluded that bosses should limit the time their staff spend on computers. Lead researcher Dr. Tetsuya Nakazawa said: ‘This result suggests the prevention of metal disorders and sleep disorders requires the restriction of computer use to less than five hours a day.’ The results, published in the American Journals of Industrial Medicine, showed one in four staff spent at least five hours a day at their terminal. Once they crossed that threshold, the dangerous of psychological disorders setting in appeared to increase dramatically.

Video Game Addiction 

Studies show that the excitement video games makes playing them addictive. According to some studies this addictive nature of playing video games is caused by the excitement of the video games. This excitement causes the brain to release a chemical that is essence, addictive.

Conclusion 

The computer is a vital tool in many different jobs and activities, for adults and children. But long periods of using a computer can increase your chance of developing an injury. In appropriate computer use can cause muscle and joint pain, overuse injuries of shoulder, arm, wrist or hand and eyestrain. Children can experience particular physical and physiological problems if they play computer games too much. You can reduce or avoid these risks with the correct furniture, better posture and good habits, such as taking rest breaks and restricting time spent playing computer games. You can help avoid computer- related injuries with proper furniture, better posture and good working habits. Parents should put sensible time limits on their children’s computer use and video game playing. Your child should take regular breaks from using a computer and should do some physical activities each day.

Reference

[1] Anderson, P., Butcher K., (2006). Childhood Obesity: Trends and Causes, Childhood Obesity, 16(1), 19-45. 

[2] Beard K. (2002). “Internet addiction: Current status and implication for employees”. Journal of Employment Counseling, 39[1], 2-11. 

[3] Choudhary S Bakhtiar, Suneetha S. (2000). Can we prevent occupational stresses in computer professional? Ind J Occu EnvMed; (1) 4-6. 

[4] Choudhary S Bakhtiar, Spur Suneetha, Deb PS, (2000), Awkward posture and development of RSI in computer professionals. Ind J Occu and Env Med; 7:1. 

[5] Greenvald MJ., Blake R. (1983). Long lasting visual aftereffects from viewing a computer video display, New England J Medicine; 309-15.