Computer Related Health Problems And Solutions

If many of us were asked what one thing has had the greatest impact on our lives in modern times, we would likely say the computer. Over the past twenty years or so, computers have gone from being monstrous curiosities taking up the entire space in large rooms, to relatively small boxes on almost every desk. Along with smaller size and lower prices has come an explosion in the number of computers . The speed and efficiency of the computers has made most businesses and institutions dependent on the technology. As a result, many people spend a large part of their time working with computers. The relatively recent advent of the widespread availability of the Internet has meant that even those individuals who don’t use computers at work likely use them at home to surf on net or to have fun and etc. What this has meant is that many people are spending many hours on the computer at work and then again at home. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the reporting of health problems related to the use of computers.

So, with the increasing use of computers, computer related-vision problems are affecting a growing number of individuals. Visual symptoms include: eyestrain, blurred or double vision, headaches, red or irritated eyes, and color perception changes. Other individuals may also experience neck or shoulder tension, general fatigue, or pain in the back, arms, wrists or shoulders. Improper workstation set-up, a fragile eye teaming or eye focusing system, or poor visual hygiene can aggravate these symptoms. Individuals who suffer from computer vision syndrome may find relief through specially designed prescription lenses, filters or vision therapy. If you experience tension, pain, or visual discomfort when using a computer, you may be suffering from a computer related-vision problem. The incidence of eye complaints is likely to increase substantially due to the widespread use of computers. Despite the fact that there is currently no scientific evidence to prove that computer use causes any damage to eyes, a large number of computer users experience some form of eye complaint at one time or another. Spending more ours front of the computer screen can cause problems with yours eyes like eyestrain.Eyestrain can be caused by glare from the monitor or from overhead lights. Ideally the desk should be placed between lights and not directly under them. If this is not possible you may be able to switch the overhead light off and use an angle poise lamp.Glare from windows without blinds or with incorrectly fitted blinds. Where there are casement window at the top and blinds cannot be used there is often glare from the sun on the screen. Some vertical blinds are not efficient and additional blackout roller blinds would improve efficiency and keep the room cool. If blinds cannot be fitted it may be possible to fit a tinted transparent film to the window. Also we can hurt some other muscles on our body like muscles on our back. We hurt our back usually due to using the wrong type of chair, these have been four legged chairs found in any office for visitors, executive chairs where the back is not separate from the seat and therefore cannot be adjusted to offer any lumbar support. If the user has not taken any time to adjust the chair. Sitting on the edge of the chair and leaning forward can also cause problems and this often happens when there are arms on the chair which are not adjustable in height or when the user is short in stature, the arms on the chair will not move low enough to allow the user to get close enough to the desk.Sitting with the legs crossed causes uneven weight on each buttock and strain on back muscles. The next pain we will have in our shoulders because of spending all day in chair and working on the computer. Pain in the neck is often caused by too much up and down or side-to-side movement of the neck, a solution is to use a document holder at the same height as the screen or attached to the screen so that it is only necessary to transfer the gaze. Pain in the shoulders can be caused by having arms on the chair that cannot be adjusted this causes the user to sit with the arms sticking out.Sitting at the desk with one elbow supported on the desk and the other held lower or twisting the torso to look at the monitor will also cause pain. Sitting on the computer chair half a day can cause pain in the knees. Pain in the knees can be caused by the fact that when the chair has been adjusted to the correct height to allow the fingers to be horizontal to the keys, the feet are left unsupported. If transcription is carried out it is better to have a large surface area on the footrest and the ability to keep this level to support the footswitch. Pain in the knees can also be caused by a seat that is too long resulting in pressure behind the knees. Painful wrists or fingers often occur when the chair is not adjusted to the correct height to allow a perfect L shape between the shoulder, elbow and wrist, if the wrists are bent up or down then the fingers are not horizontal to the keys or the mouse, the clicking finger is not horizontal to the control mechanism and the wrist is left unsupported. Striking the keys too hard or excessive mouse use can also cause painful fingers or by not keeping the mouse close enough to the body. Ideally a mouse should be used directly in front of the shoulder and as close to the body as possible. Another syndrome more recently recognized and associated primarily with the Internet is depression. A recent study found a high degree of correlation between the time spent on line, including chat rooms, and an increased incidence of depression. It is believed that at least some of the individuals who spend

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