DDHK. ORG – Playing cellphones while lying down is a common thing that is often found. But it turns out, playing HP while lying down even for hours, has risks.
Reporting from Republika, several studies over the past few years have warned about the harmful effects of using smartphones or smart phones on various aspects health.
Excessive cell phone use can affect sleep quality, affect memory and study skills.
This has ended up being a cause for concern in today's times when children glued to the screen all the time. Bad posture when using a cell phone can also cause a number of problems.
Consistent forward neck posture can cause injury to the structures of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as the ligaments. It can also cause joint disorders even in young people.
Senior consultant, Rheumatology, Manipal Hospitals Gurugram, Dr Shaloo Bhasin Gagneja said the increasing problem of joint disorders, especially in younger children is a major cause for concern.
One of the reasons behind the emergence of joint problems is due to the excessive use of mobile phones which have now become an indispensable part of life.
According to him, people use it for work, using social media, connecting with friends and family, and for their daily needs such as alarms, shopping, and so on.
"Long-term use of mobile phones can adversely affect a person in many ways and joint damage can be one of them," he said as reported by the page Hindustan Times, Wednesday (24/5/2023).
Dr Gangneja also outlines all the joint problems that cell phone use can cause:
- May cause neck and shoulder pain
Daily cell phone use for more than two to three hours can cause neck and shoulder pain and lower back pain. Moreover, if we use the cell phone while lying down.
- Osteoarthritis risk
Intense use of thumb typing can lead to osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint. It has been seen in a young population, although osteoarthritis is a disease of the elderly, several cases have been seen where young people developed degeneration of the carpometacarpal joints due to overuse.
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis
It is characterized by pain on the radial aspect of the wrist or on movement of the hand due to continual use of the hand to use a cell phone.
- Elbow cramps and problems
This can happen because the elbows are always bent when using a cell phone.
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
Children who spend long periods of time playing mobile games may develop a condition called Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Children experience excessive pain in their hands when they use mobile phones and when they play games for hours.
- Repetitive strain on joints and ligaments
This causes pain, tingling, numbness, or deformity in the hands and wrists. Dr Gagneja said to avoid this challenge both hands must be used when using a mobile phone and statutory health warnings should be put on all mobile phones and devices to state how they should be used and the dangers of overuse.
“That warning should be there when selling products and pop-up warnings about health risks should also appear when people are using their phones for a long time,” advises Dr. Gagneja. [DDHK News]
