One more occupational hazard! I may be late but I want to say it nevertheless. That this is computer age. With countless conveniences, the computer also brings some health issues. Let us discuss health problems caused by computers with corrective measures.

We sit in front of the computer looking into the screen without taking a break and blinking eyelid. This hurts many parts of our body. Before the problems go out of hand and we may have to say goodbye to using this machine, let us deal with it.

Excessive internet and computer usage should be labeled as mental disease, as it has following disorder :

1) Excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives.
2) Withdrawal, including feelings of anger, tension, and depression when the computer is inaccessible.
3) Tolerance, including the need for better computer equipment, more software, or more hours of use, and
4) Negative repercussions, including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation, and fatigue.

Problem Area: Lower back Pain
Causes: Wrong type of chair or desk, Right chair and desk but wrong posture, Sitting on the edge of the chair, sitting cross legged.
Corrective Measures: Always go for a chair that has a mechanism for lowering and raising the height of the backrest. Never buy a computer chair that has arms rest.

Problem Area: Neck Pain
Causes: While typing avoid moving the neck up and down, left and right too much it causes neck pain. Use of wrong type of glasses (like bifocals), Height of screen. It may sound strange to some of you but some people sit on the computer with mouthpiece of phone hanging around their neck. This casual attitude is not cool at all!
Corrective Measures: Take opticians advice and go for special glasses that you can use while in front of the computer. Screen’s height should be adjusted parallel to eyesight – not too high and not too low.

Problem Area: Pain In Wrists & Fingers
Causes: Height of the chair not adjusted properly. If you have bought the right chair you might a well make use of it! Striking the keys too hard. Mouse is not close to the body.
Corrective Measures: Make sure fingers and keys or mouse are at a perfect horizontal. Clicking finger is also horizontal for that perfect wrist support. Mouse should be placed right in front of the shoulder, close to our body.

Problem Area: Strain In the Eyes
Causes: Glare from monitor, lighting arrangement of the room are some causes that put strain on the eyes.
Corrective Measures: The correct thing to do is to place the computer table between lights and not directly under them. The best alternative is to switch off the overhead light. Ask your optician to put slight tint coat on your glasses. Adjust monitor’s contrast and brightness. Make sure the distance is right. Opt for a 17inch SVGA or XGA screen.

Some Important Tips & Reminders: Wrong chair or a chair not adjusted properly can result into knee, and shoulder pain also. Room temperature also plays an important part. Pain in the muscles may result into spasm if temperature of the room you are working in is very low. To avoid dehydration work in a room with fewer computers and people and avoid endless rounds of tea and coffee. Instead take water. Keep everything you need like phone, CDs etc at a distance that you can reach without overstretching yourself each time.

There are other risks as you sit in front of that computer but it would be to much to write about in this article, so if you would like to learn more about other risks. Please refer following issues in web.

* Eye strain
* RSI (Repetitive Stress Syndrome)
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Constant Head Aches
* Dizziness
* Breathing Problems
* Difficulty in Concentrating

Almost I have all this problems due to the serious addiction to Computer and Internet. So keep the above facts in mind and have a long and fruitful working relationship with computer.

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