Computer damage to human health. Health and computer - myths and facts

The computer today is an integral part of our life, because with it we are able to perform various seemingly impossible operations and calculations. However, this invention is a source of electromagnetic radiation, which has a negative effect on the human body.

Computer Features

   The computer was created in order to perform many different tasks, the implementation of which was previously considered impossible. The principle of its operation is based on several types of electromagnetic radiation - the process of convergence of electric and magnetic fields of the desired intensity, which as a result forms a field where unlike electric charges interact. It becomes clear what radiation comes from the computer. It has a number of positive characteristics, but it creates an extremely negative effect on the human body.

Today, there is no question of whether there is radiation from a laptop or computer, since scientists have proved negative for the normal functioning of the human body.   A working device generates electromagnetic radiation, the frequency range of which varies from 20 Hz to 300 MHz.  This type of glow with constant exposure (systematic operation from 2 to 6 hours a day) causes various disturbances in the electromagnetic field of living systems. In humans, this can be manifested by constant headaches, sleep disturbances, deterioration of brain activity, the occurrence of allergic reactions, radiation from a laptop directed to the stomach, which can lead to the development of peptic ulcer or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum

The harmful effects of computer radiation on the human body

Radiation from a computer (radio frequency and low frequency) has a number of consequences of negative effects on the human body, namely:
  • The carcinogenicity of the above types of radiation several times increases the risk of developing malignant neoplasms of the internal organs of the human body
  • The risk of developing pathologies of the cardiovascular system increases, the number of diseases of the myocardium and pericardium increases
  • The general hormonal background of the body is disturbed, water-salt metabolism worsens, homeostasis is destroyed
  • The potential for the development of bronchial asthma, depressive states, disorders of higher nervous activity increases, there is a risk of Alzheimer's disease, etc.
   Electromagnetic radiation from a computer is generated by all parts of this device. A processor, for example, produces low-frequency radiation, which propagates in the surrounding space in the form of electromagnetic waves, disorienting and impairing the functioning of the biomagnetic field of the human body.

When considering the harmful effects of a monitor, one should take into account the fact that the front of the screen produces relatively less harmful radiation, since it is protected by a special coating that blocks the excessive propagation of radiation. The sides and back of the monitor generate much more harmful radiation. However, this fact is understandable, since the manufacturers of screens faced the issue of protecting users of the device in the first place (to the detriment of those who are sitting nearby, unfortunately).


   Radiation from a computer (the harm of which has certainly been proven) is also dangerous for the cleanliness of the surrounding air. Heating the processor during operation causes the production of some harmful compounds, which in turn lead to deionization of the surrounding space. Therefore, it becomes clear that in the room where constantly working computers are located, the air becomes difficult to breathe and can even cause the development of certain diseases of the bronchial tree or even bronchial asthma.

Answering the question “is there radiation from the computer?”, The answer will be unambiguously positive. This is due to the combination of different types of radiation that the device generates, which in turn has a detrimental effect on the organ systems of the human body and can provoke the formation of a number of pathologies.

The effect of computer radiation on pregnant women

   Pregnancy is a very difficult and crucial stage in the life of every woman. This period requires a lot of effort, because you need to be very careful about the health of the unborn child, protect it from the effects of mutagenic and teratogenic factors. The embryo is very vulnerable to traumatic factors of both endogenous and exogenous origin. External factors include radiation from the computer, since the electromagnetic fields that act through the mother’s body on the unborn child can cause a number of embryonic development disorders that lead to pathologies.

Radiation from a laptop, as already noted, is a source of electromagnetic field generation, which negatively affects people's health and acts as a teratogenic factor in fetal development. The high intensity of its influence causes the risk of developing embryo disorders not only in the early stages, but throughout pregnancy.


   Continuous use during pregnancy leads to the formation of a number of pathologies of newborns. Most often this is a delay in development, pathologies of the processes of memory, thinking, attention, diseases associated with higher nervous activity and mental processes. Some scientists argue that the constant and prolonged use of a computer during pregnancy in extreme cases can even lead to the development of congenital dementia (oligophrenia).

Doctors advise against using computers during pregnancy and lactation. However, if it is impossible to completely refuse to work with this device, you need to try to minimize such contact in order to limit the impact of this negative factor on the health of the future baby.

Computer radiation protection

   Having figured out what kind of radiation comes from the computer, what consequences for a given organ or the body as a whole this source of negative impact can lead to, it's worth talking about protection. What to do to protect yourself and how to protect yourself from the electromagnetic radiation of a computer?
   There are a number of tips, following which you can reduce the negative impact or even neutralize some of the consequences of such an interaction. This is for example:
  1. If several computers or laptops are constantly in the same room (for example, a classroom, office), they need to be positioned so that the devices stand around the perimeter of the room, and the center remains free;
  2. If possible, monitors should be used, on which special protective equipment is installed, which reduce the amount and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, which affects the user. This advice is especially relevant when using a computer by children who spend a lot of time behind the device, with their heads bowed to it;
  3. When choosing a monitor, you should pay attention to its expansion, the level of protection and the amount of radiation. Preference should be given to screens with the inscription Low Radiain, which means a minimum amount of radiation;
  4. It is necessary to turn off the computer after the end of work, as the longer it works, the more radiation it generates and releases a huge amount of harmful substances into the environment, given the air;
  5. Using a special protective film will reduce the intensity of electromagnetic radiation generation and the amount of harmful effects on the user's body.
  6. Systematic dusting, wet cleaning and the use of ionizers if possible will improve the quality of the inhaled air, which is affected by the substances obtained as a result of the computer, and also reduce the influence of harmful factors of electromagnetic radiation on the human body;
  7. In order for the radiation on the sides and behind the monitor not to affect people who are in the same room with the computer, but do not use it, the optimal location is this device in the corner of the room. It should also be taken into account that the monitor should be in a position comfortable for the eyes (but not less than 40 cm), and the system unit should be located as far away as possible from the user.


   Radiation from a computer is a side effect during the operation of this device, and can lead to the development of pathological processes or diseases in the human body. Therefore, in the absence of an emergency, you need to reduce the time you use your computer, and in the case when it is impossible to do this, you should follow the tips to make such work as safe as possible.

A computer  - an integral part of modern life. Using computer technology, complex work tasks are solved, scientific research is being conducted, architectural drawings and works of art are being created. A computer helps a person to relax and have fun.

But for all the advantages of close cooperation with technology, we have to pay our own health.

This section is about the effects of computers on human health. Is a fail-safe assistant so safe as it seems at first glance? On duty, many people are forced to spend a lot of time in front of the monitor screen.

Programmers, secretaries, designers have their own occupational diseases, as well as people working in hazardous industries. What diseases do computer workers have?

  1. Diseases of the spine: curvature, osteochondrosis.
  2. Disorders of view.
  3. Respiratory diseases.
  4. Pain in the handstunnel syndrome.
  5. Nervous Disorders: Stress, insomniadepression.

On top of all the above, it is customary to single out two more serious problems associated with a PC: chronic fatigue syndrome  and psychological dependence.

A few hours a day spent in front of a computer can not harm your health. At risk are only those who regularly sit in front of the monitor screen. But this is almost the majority of the urban population!

Even people whose work is not related to computer technology are not averse to playing online, sitting on social networks or watching videos on the Internet. If the total time you devote to these activities exceeds 3 hours a day, you risk your own health.

To compensate for the damage required   healthy sleep, healthy eating  and physical exercise. Otherwise, your spine, internal organs, eyesight and even your hands will suffer. However, the psyche will experience the greatest stress.

Most professionals whose work is related to PCs are familiar with the feeling of chronic fatigue. Mental work is much more tiring for a person than physical. Workers who spend all their time indoors are much more susceptible to insomnia, stress and depression than those who work outdoors.

  - A constant companion of people addicted to PCs. Its characteristic features include fatigue, lethargy and apathy.

The reason is a lack of movement, multiplied by an excess of mental stress.

Fatigue that does not go away even after a rest is the scourge of all brainworkers without exception, but for computer specialists this is a real plague of the 21st century. It is generated by information oversaturation.

Over the past few decades, the amount of information that a person has to deal with has grown thousands of times. And if our intellect is able to cope with such volumes of work, then the psyche is not. Sometimes an excess of new information can even cause dizziness.

The human psyche is designed in such a way that it needs some time to “digest” new data, to highlight the main, and the unnecessary - to weed out.

If a person continues to work, play or spend time on social networks, appears headache, problems with memory and concentration.

The only way around mental fatigue is to give yourself rest. And we are not talking about watching movies or computer games, because you actually do not change the type of activity.

The more time you work, the more quality rest you need.

This issue must be approached responsibly. If you work at a computer for many hours a day, you are constantly forced to solve critical tasks and process a large amount of information, properly organizing your own leisure time is your responsibility.

Otherwise, you risk earning chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, and depression. And then you simply will not be able to efficiently perform work tasks. Theaters, picnics in nature, hiking, hiking - all this is a great way to get distracted and give rest not only to the head, but also to the body as a whole.

A good way out of the situation could be non computer related hobby.

A number of serious scientific studies are devoted to the phenomenon of computer and Internet addiction. This was first discussed about 20 years ago; almost simultaneously with these concepts, so-called cyberpsychologists also emerged - specialists in the influence of computers on human psychology.

One of the areas of work of cyberpsychologists is getting rid of Internet addiction, gambling, attachment to a computer. Since 2009, symposia have been regularly held in our country on these issues. At one of these symposia held at Moscow State University, scientists noted that almost all available online entertainment: games, videos and movies, online correspondence, and even dating sites cause addiction.

However, domestic and foreign experts came to the conclusion that the magnitude of the problem was exaggerated. There is no data that would confirm that millions of people suffer from this kind of addiction.

The computer changes the microclimate of the rooms in which we live and work. It is a source of electromagnetic radiation, attracts dust particles and dries the air. So that the computer remains a reliable assistant, and the long hours spent in front of the monitor do not harm your health, it is important to properly organize your own work schedule. In this section, we selected practical recommendations on how to equip your workplace, how to choose furniture and appliances.

Many people are forced to spend time behind the screen of a personal computer, which has become a constant satellite of modern man. But so far, there is no consensus among manufacturers and users of computer technology about how harmful communication with computer equipment is to the human body. Most experts believe that when used wisely, the benefits of using a computer exceed the harm. However, it should be remembered that there are the following negative factors affecting the human body:

  • monitor flicker;
  • computer radiation and indoor climate degradation;
  • effects on muscles and joints due to a cramped posture;
  • impact on the psyche (computer stress syndrome).

Computer and vision

Human vision by nature is absolutely not adapted to the screen. The human eye is designed to perceive a three-dimensional image, and when working at a computer, the user watches for hours on a flat screen.

Eye fatigue can cause glare and flicker of the screen. Many users complain of itching, pain, and redness. In people who spend several hours behind the screen without a break, computer vision syndrome may occur. The cornea of \u200b\u200bthe eye wears, it becomes dry, and because of this, painful sensations appear when blinking.

For the prevention of eye diseases, ophthalmologists advise following the recommendations.

  • When buying, choose a high-quality monitor, since the clarity of the image will depend on its characteristics.
  • The distance from the user's eyes to the monitor should not be less than 60 centimeters.
  • It is recommended to rebuild the screen brightness for different types of work. The intensity of lighting in the room where the computer is located should correspond to the brightness of the monitor.
  • At the end of each hour of work, it is very important to take a break of 10 minutes. At this time, you should do exercises for the eyes or just look into the distance.
  • While working at the computer, you should try to blink more often. Eyes just need constant hydration. Occasionally, special drops can be used to moisturize the cornea.

Computer radiation

The effect of computer radiation on the body has not been sufficiently studied. Modern liquid crystal monitors are considered much safer than their predecessors with a cathode ray tube.

It should be remembered that the computer “dries” the air. Therefore, the room in which the computer is located should be aired several times a day and wet cleaned regularly. It is also recommended to use an ionizer.

Computer and muscle and joint diseases

The frozen, monotonous sitting position at the computer leads to pain in the shoulders, numbness of the neck and tingling in the legs, curvature of the spine occurs and muscle weakness develops. Sedentary work affects the musculoskeletal system. A serious consequence of constant sitting at a computer can be arthritis of the joints and thinning of bone tissue.

Another serious problem is the “carpal tunnel syndrome,” which can occur due to damage to a nerve passing between the tendons. This occupational disease is often found in people whose work is constantly associated with uniform movements of the hands. This syndrome can also affect a computer user who spends a long time at the computer and constantly uses the keyboard and mouse. In severe form, this disease manifests itself in the form of severe pain.

To reduce the impact of negative factors on the musculoskeletal system, it is necessary to interrupt regularly and do simple physical exercises for 5-10 minutes, for example, turning the neck and the whole body, tilting, rotating with the roars in the hands and elbow joints.

As a result of a long stay at a personal computer, curvature of the spine due to non-observance of proper posture can occur. Therefore, for the prevention of scoliosis and curvature, first of all, it is necessary to optimally organize the workplace at the computer, purchase a convenient computer desk and chair. If possible, it is recommended to play sports, swimming exercises are especially useful for the spine.

Computer stress syndrome

Regular users are often subjected to psychological stress, they are at increased risk of functional disorders of the cardiovascular and nervous system. A new concept has appeared in medical circles - “computer stress syndrome”. The patient can observe a variety of symptoms:

  • physical ailment;
  • visual impairment;
  • visual impairment;
  • decreased focus and performance.

Experts also note that the computer can affect the psyche. Recently, a new type of addiction has appeared - this is Internet addiction, which can manifest itself in different ways. The most common type is gambling. Thanks to the latest special effects, the world of computer games seems very realistic. But this impression is misleading. The player spends all his free time at the computer trying to conquer all new levels of the game. And gradually, interest in real life is completely lost.

Another pathology is intrusive surfing on the Internet. The user has a constant desire to click on different links, he goes from one page to another. A huge amount of useless information tires and overloads the brain.

Some people may even become financially dependent on a computer. In various online stores, the buyer is offered goods at a huge discount. Gradually, such WEB shopping is addictive, there is an obsessive desire to buy all new useless things.

Computer and children

The constant communication of the child with the computer can lead to serious violations in the field of intellectual, physical and mental development. Already, some psychologists have noted the emergence of emotional immaturity and the deterioration of memory in the generation of modern children.

Young children very often do not know the measure and can sit in front of him for hours. In connection with these, myopia can occur already at a young age.

To reduce the harm that a computer can do, you should limit the time it is used. A child under 6 years old should not work at a computer for more than 10-15 minutes a day. Children aged 7-8 years can sit at a computer for no more than 40 minutes a day, and children 9-11 years old - no more than an hour and a half.

Thus, a computer is, of course, a very useful thing, which now exists in almost any home. But each user should remember that the harm from the computer can exceed the benefit if neglected prevention and not follow the simplest recommendations for working with computer technology.

The effect of the computer on the human body

Nowadays, few doubt that working on a personal computer affects human health is not the best way. At the same time, few people have the idea to refuse to work with a PC for the sake of saving health. People happened not to refuse from more harmful activities, in addition, the benefits of a PC are noticeably greater than the harm.

Currently, almost no enterprises can do without a computer. Using computer technology allows you to create databases, reports. The computer helps people with disabilities, people with disabilities to get an education, to work. With the creation of the worldwide Internet, a person can get almost any information, make purchases and make friends, without leaving home. In many large factories, computer programs control the entire production.

It is computer technology that holds the future. Space and deep sea exploration will be entrusted to computers. Modern science strides by leaps and bounds, and who knows what invention will come next.

Living in the modern world and being far from computers is impossible, I think. The computer has come into our lives for a long time, and can we exist without it in the future?

More and more people are spending on the computer for several hours daily. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how the user can reduce, or even completely eliminate, the harm caused by the computer.

^ The negative impact of the computer on the human body

Computers affect different systems of the organs of the human body. Especially dangerous is the effect of electromagnetic radiation, visual impairment, mental disorders, especially in adolescents, diseases of muscles and joints. We will analyze these violations in more detail, explain their appearance and measures to combat them.

^ The main harmful factors acting on a person at a computer:

Sitting position for a long time;

Exposure to electromagnetic radiation from the monitor;

Overload of the joints of the hands;

Loss of stress

Electromagnetic radiation

The word "radiation" in the documentation for the PC means only "radiation". Same as the sun.

It is impossible to see electromagnetic radiation, but not everyone can imagine it, and therefore a normal person is almost not afraid of it. One of the most common sources of electromagnetic radiation is a computer. The greatest radiation is not from the monitor, but from the back wall.

The study of the possible consequences of exposure to the human body is still at the beginning of its path, but there is quite a lot of convincing evidence about their health hazards, especially low-frequency electromagnetic fields. The complexity of the problem lies not only in the impact on public health, but also on the health and intelligence of future generations. There is an increase in congenital anomalies.

Visual impairment

Many PC users who turned to a competent optometrist complaining of "visual impairment from working at a computer" just lacked vitamin A in the body, which is available in almost any pharmacy. Symptoms of lack of vitamin "A" are well known - this is excessive sensitivity to bright light and, especially, worsening of twilight vision. These symptoms are usually associated with a computer, mainly because the computer (if used improperly) increases the eye's need for vitamin A. When a user types large amounts of text not “blindly”, but looking at the dimly lit keyboard or the highly illuminated monitor (even the safest one), this is a great test for the user's eyes. The pupils are constantly narrowing, then expanding and do not have time to tune in to the available amount of light, so the eyes are forced to work in the "dispersed" mode. Try several times in a row to leave the dark entrance to a sunny street and immediately go back, can you see something after that? At the computer, the load is less and, to a certain limit, the eyes are able to carry it without harm, but they will need vitamin "A". When the vitamin ceases to help, it remains only to learn blind typing techniques or say goodbye to eyesight, and no ultramodern monitors will help here.

Much less often, but there are oculists patients whose vision has deteriorated precisely because of the computer. Myopia or farsightedness, less commonly astigmatism. Here the same principles work as with the deterioration of vision by reading books. Incorrect distance to the monitor, incorrectly set brightness (for text, it should be less, but for pictures and videos - more), fuzzy image, small or hard to read fonts, too long or too short lines, uncomfortable colors for the eyes, flickering animation - here the main causes of visual impairment from working at a computer. It is worth remembering that vision deteriorates far from immediately, sometimes for years. If you notice that your eyes get tired too often, then you still have time to go through the list above and save yourself from glasses.

Often, oculists experience visual impairment for which they find no reason. Many do not search at all, but immediately write out points, but these are lay people. Real experts know that there is a temporary visual impairment, and can recognize it. If you do not go into terminology, then this effect is a reaction of the eyes to problems with the spine and nervous system, which will be discussed later.

Now, when computer users are not only schoolchildren, but also 5-6 year old children, the process of forming a visual analyzer for which is not finished, it is even more important that computer-based learning is appropriate for children’s age abilities. Special long-term studies made it possible to determine the optimal duration of continuous studies for children and adolescents of different ages. These studies have shown that the younger the child, the earlier he develops signs of fatigue. So for children 5-6 years, this time is 10-15 minutes. For children aged 7-15 years, the continuous duration of computer classes is 20 minutes, and for older children - no more than half an hour. After not so long classes, children and adolescents show signs of visual and general fatigue. Symptoms of visual fatigue may include: redness of the eyes, itching, pain, a feeling of heaviness, headaches, darkening in the eyes, dizziness, double vision. In addition, more serious disorders may occur such as decreased visual acuity and impaired accommodation. As a result of such work, the risk of the appearance (and progression of an existing one) of myopia is very high.

Flickering image

The CRT monitor screen blinks a number of times every second. The higher the frequency of these "blinks" - the less strain on the eyes. Each time, manufacturers of monitors managed to slightly increase the frequency of flicker of the monitor, it was presented as a revolutionary breakthrough in the struggle for eye preservation, but the real harm from flickering was underestimated and underestimated so far.

^ Musculoskeletal problems

The average person’s height is two to three centimeters higher in the morning than in the evening, since the spine is noticeably compressed over the whole day of a stagnant life. If, in addition, there is at least a slight curvature of the spine, then inevitable pinching of the base of the nerve. It is easy for PC users to understand what will happen - the interface between the brain and some part of the body will be disrupted. This is similar to cases with poor contact in the interface cable: the device will not necessarily burn out, but it will turn off.

Pain in the lower back and at the base of the neck, typical for gamers, can easily lead to diseases of the veins and joints of the limbs. "Programmer's Syndrome" (pain between the shoulder blades) is a danger to the heart and lungs. It is usually accompanied by a spasm of the trapezius muscles, which, in attempts to save the spine, constrict the arteries that go to the brain (remember the pressing pains in the back of the head). A nerve going to the face and, among other things, controlling the eyes can pinch a little higher, and this is how temporary visual impairment appears, which is not treated with glasses, but passes after working with the spine on a special simulator. Pain in the middle of the back, at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar regions, promises the user gastritis, and even a stomach ulcer, but long before that they provide an unreasonable “general fatigue”.

The best and most effective advice to fighters for a healthy spine: take a break every 40-45 minutes. Stand, walk, move (how exactly - you will feel) stretch (slopes are especially good). It helps not to the end, but very much.

^ The effect of the computer on muscles and joints

Visual impairment and mental overstrain are not all the complications "bestowed" by a computer. Few, having spent a certain number of hours at the keyboard, did not experience pain in the neck and spine, numbness of the neck, pain in the shoulders and lower back, or tingling in the legs. But there are more serious diseases like osteochondrosis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

It cannot be said that carpal tunnel syndrome has not manifested itself before, but in the last decade, mainly due to the spread of computer technology and increased “exploitation” of the hand, more and more people in different countries began to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. In the United States alone, more than 200 thousand operations are carried out annually in this regard.

The risk group consists of office employees who work a lot on computers, cashiers, assembly workers on conveyors, knitters, dentists, carpenters, musicians, packers, as well as athletes involved in climbing, golf, tennis, and alpine skiing. From prolonged, uniform movements, they develop muscle fatigue, local blood circulation is disturbed, degeneration develops, soft tissue swelling in the carpal tunnel, which is the trigger for the development of the disease.

The most vulnerable place for a PC user is not the eyes, as is commonly believed, but the nerves. For example, flickering of the screen, almost harmless to the eyes, greatly strains the nervous system. The noise of the fans slowly but surely loosens the nerves. If we add to this the above-described problems with the eyes and spine, which also load the nervous system, the overall picture will turn out to be sad.

Another factor affecting the nervous system of a PC user is the large flow of information that he is forced to perceive. Even a gamer or a permanent resident of chats chases a lot of information of a very different nature through themselves, let alone a programmer or designer. With oral communication, you can skip part of the information flow "by the ears", which people do when they can’t cope with the amount of information. With written-visual communication using a PC, this is more difficult. Also, do not forget the flickering of advertising banners, music from the speakers, and other "related factors".

^ The influence of the computer on the psyche

Working on a computer primarily affects the psyche of children and adolescents, for whom communicating with a computer becomes one of the most attractive types of recreation. This is due to the fact that the modern computer industry produces a lot of all kinds of action-packed games: “shooter games”, “walker games”, “catch-up girls”, “killers” - many of which are aggressive and, at times, cruel. But the psyche of children is unstable, therefore, excessive enthusiasm for computer games can cause very serious consequences - increased excitability develops, school performance decreases, the child becomes moody, ceases to be interested in anything other than a computer.

After lengthy computer lessons, children and adolescents show signs of general fatigue. The manifestation of fatigue depends on the age and condition of the body. Importance should be given to the external signs of fatigue: the child tilts its head to the side, leans on the back of the chair, lifts its legs, resting against the edge of the table, often talks, and switches attention to other objects.

Caution should be taken in computer activities if the child has neurotic disorders or convulsive reactions, since the computer can exacerbate all these deviations in the state of health.

In conclusion, we can say that now many hypotheses are being built about the influence of computers on different organ systems. There are even suggestions that radiation causes cancerous tumors, but this has not been scientifically proven. Until. But if all the same they prove it in 10 years, then those who neglected the simple rules of their own safety may no longer be able to help. So you should think about your future.

Another hypothesis, also not yet proven, is that a computer affects the structure of the chromosome apparatus and leads to mutations. If this is so, then after 50 -100 years there will not be a single healthy person on Earth.

All these assumptions make you think about what will happen next. And is it necessary to sit an extra hour in front of a luminous screen?

You can replace, repair a computer that has become unusable, but this does not work with the body. Therefore, when buying another PC, think about what is more valuable to you and, in addition to the performance of your electronic assistant, take care of yourself.

We must take care of our health now, so that it will not be excruciatingly painful in the near future.

The effect of computers on human health

This article is devoted to the impact of a computer (more precisely, working on a computer) on human health. Below we consider the main points of human-computer interaction, as well as human health disorders caused by prolonged work at the computer.

Long work at the computer
  In fact, only prolonged work at the computer can have a significant impact on human health. Nowadays, the use of computers in all spheres of life is becoming wider and therefore more and more people are forced to spend whole days at computer monitors.

Consider the main aspects of long-term work on the computer:

  1. A person working at a computer for a long time should maintain a relatively motionless position, which negatively affects the spine and blood circulation throughout the body (blood stasis). Especially severe stagnation of blood is expressed at the level of the pelvic organs and limbs. With prolonged disturbances in blood circulation, tissue nutrition is disrupted and blood vessel walls are damaged, which in turn leads to their irreversible expansion. Such vasodilation is observed, for example, with hemorrhoids.
  2. Reading information from the monitor causes eye strain. This occurs mainly because during reading from the monitor the distance from the text to the eyes remains constantly the same, because of this the muscles of the eyes that regulate accommodation are in constant tension. Over time, this can lead to a violation of the accommodative ability of the eyes and, consequently, to visual impairment.
  3. Long work on the keyboard leads to overstrain of the joints of the hand and muscles of the forearm.
  4. Monitors equipped with an electron gun are a strong source of electromagnetic fields. The constant "bombardment" of the human body by accelerated electrons leads to various disorders of the nervous system and eyes.
  5. Working at a computer involves processing a large amount of information and a constant concentration of attention, so with prolonged work at a computer, mental fatigue and impaired attention often develop.
  6. A person working at a computer is forced to make decisions all the time, on which the effectiveness of his work depends. Sometimes it is quite difficult to imagine the consequences of a particular step (especially against the background of chronic fatigue). Therefore, prolonged work at the computer is often the cause of chronic stress. Note that the need to process a large amount of heterogeneous (and mostly unnecessary information) also leads to the development of stress.
  7. More and more messages about occurrence computer addiction. Indeed, prolonged work on the computer, browsing the Internet and computer games can cause such mental disorders.
  8. Working at a computer often absorbs all the attention of a working person, and therefore, such people often neglect normal nutrition and work from hand to mouth all day. Improper nutrition leads not only to disruption of the digestive tract, but also to the occurrence of mineral and vitamin deficiency. It is known that not a lack of vitamins and minerals negatively affects the metabolism in the body, which leads to a decrease in the human intellectual abilities. Decrease in overall performance that in turn causes the need to spend even more time at the computer. Thus, a kind of "vicious circle" is formed in which prolonged work at the computer is the starting point that determines all subsequent violations.

Hypodynamia, stress, bad habits and unhealthy diets are the main causes of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Thus, a person working at a computer for a long time is at real risk of cardiovascular diseases, various diseases of the eyes, motor apparatus, organs of the gastrointestinal tract, and mental disorders.

Visual impairment caused by prolonged use of the computer
  As mentioned above, prolonged use of the computer has a negative effect on the eyes and eyesight. Recently, several new terms have appeared that define eye diseases caused by long work on the computer.

Display disease  (asthenopia: from Greek. Asten-fatigue + ops-vision), is characterized by impaired accommodation of the eyes due to prolonged overstrain of the ciliary body. The ciliary body is located immediately below the iris of the eye and consists of many muscle fibers. The ciliary body is a kind of muscle ring inside which the lens is attached. The contraction or relaxation of the muscles of the ciliary body leads to a change in the curvature of the lens and, therefore, changes its refractive ability. Normally, the work of the ciliary bodies of both eyes supports the concentration of the light beam on a limited portion of the retina. With chronic overstrain of the ciliary body, it loses its ability to contract and, consequently, the ability of the eyes to accommodate (perception of objects at different distances) is lost.

Dry eye syndrome - the collective name of the disease caused by impaired hydration of the anterior surface of the eye (cornea) with lacrimal fluid. Normally, a person carries out more than 20 blinking movements per second. As a result of this, the front surface of the eye is constantly moisturized and cleansed with tear fluid. While working at a computer, the blink rate decreases by at least three times. In this case, the surface of the cornea “dries”. Dry eye syndrome develops after some time working at the computer and is manifested by burning in the eyes, conjunctival redness, and the appearance of a vascular network on the lateral surfaces of the eyes. If, when these symptoms occur, the computer stops working, then the symptoms regress. However, during prolonged use of the computer, the above symptoms become more stable and do not disappear after the computer stops working. This is explained by the addition of infection and a violation of the trophism of the membranes of the eye caused by insufficient hydration of the eyes with tear fluid.

Also, long-term work at the computer can increase the risk of eye diseases such as myopia (myopia), hyperopia, glaucoma

Diseases of the rectum
  Among diseases of the rectum, hemorrhoids is the most common. The high incidence of this type of disease among people spending a lot of time at the computer is not due to the harmful effect of the latter on the human body, but to the fact that the computer operator occupies a sitting position for a long time. Hemorrhoids are an expansion of the veins of the lower rectum. The main reason for this expansion is stagnation of blood in these veins with a sedentary lifestyle. In this case, the dilated veins protrude into the lumen of the rectum and even sag from the anus. In some cases, thrombosis or infection of hemorrhoidal veins is possible. In this case, severe pain and bleeding from the anus appear.

Diseases of the hands
Long work at the computer can cause serious neuromuscular disorders. Particularly sensitive areas of the body are fingers, hands, and forearms. The hands perform the bulk of the mechanical work when working at the computer, and it is not the amplitude of the physical load that is important (it is usually quite low), but the working time. As you know, fingerpads are the most sensitive parts of the human body. At this level, a large number of sensitive nerve endings are concentrated (thanks to this, the fingers perform the function of touch). With prolonged work at the computer (on the keyboard), the nerve endings of the fingers are constantly irritated. Over time, this leads to depletion of the nerve pathways that connect the fingers with the cerebral cortex. As a result, there are impaired coordination of finger movements and cramps of the hand and forearm. English researchers called this disease RSI (repetitive strain injury), which translates as a chronic disease of the hands.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
  Often, prolonged work at the computer can cause disturbances in posture or curvature of the spine. The most susceptible to this disease are children in whom the curvature of the spine passes according to the type of scoliosis, that is, curvature of the spinal column to the side (laterally). In adults, the formation of a hernia of the intervertebral disc may occur, which leads to compression of the nerve roots and the appearance of radiculitis.

The main reason for the development of diseases of the spinal column is an incorrect position in the workplace. As a rule, a working person adapts and after a while ceases to feel that he is sitting incorrectly, while the disease continues to progress.

Diseases of the nervous system
  Working at a computer is purely intellectual work. And therefore, the main part of the load falls on the nervous system, namely the brain.

Often, prolonged work at the computer can cause headaches. There are several types of headaches that can be triggered by computer work. One of the factors provoking the appearance of headaches is chronic overstrain, constant tension of the cranial muscles and facial muscles is also important.

Attention disorders and the inability to concentrate are the result of chronic overwork. Sometimes, due to prolonged use of the computer, tinnitus, dizziness, and nausea may occur. If these symptoms occur, you should seek the advice of a doctor and temporarily interrupt your computer.

In addition to the diseases described above, a long stay at the computer can cause gastritis, stomach ulcers, prostatitis.

Bibliography :

  • Hun G.E. Computer: how to maintain health: Recommendations for children and adults, St. Petersburg: Neva; M .: Olma-Press, 2003
  • How to maintain and improve vision: Sat. M .: KRON-PRESS, 1995
  • Belyaev A.A. Private Neurology, St. Petersburg: Doe, 2002
Do you like the article? To share with friends: