WL(MOBILE PHONE)brings many benefits to its users. Unfortunately, not much is realize the negative impact of HP if its use is not controlled and excessive. This habit can then lead to the risk of various health problems.
Apart from being a communication tool, HP has many features that users can enjoy, ranging from cameras, games, to internet access. However, research shows that excessive use of cellphones can have a negative impact on one's health.
Some Negative Impacts of HP to Watch Out for
The occurrence of negative HP impacts depends on the intensity of its use. The higher the level of use, the higher the risk of health problems caused.
There are so many health problems that occur as a negative impact of HP. Some of them are:
1. Trigger thumb (thumb bends)
Trigger thumb It occurs due to thickening of the tendon sheath of the thumb. In this condition, the thumb becomes stiff and remains in a bent state even when not using the cellphone.
If forced to return to a straight position, this stiff thumb will cause a rattling sound and pain in the joint.
2. Cubital tunnel syndrome
Playing HP can make you often bend your elbows or rest on your elbows, be it when playing games, browsing social media, or calling. If this is done too often, there is a risk that the ulnar nerve at your elbow will be disturbed.
As a result, you may experience numbness, tingling, or pain that radiates from your elbow to your little finger and ring finger.
3. Text neck syndrome
Using HP excessively tends to make you look down too much. This habit over time can cause tension in the neck muscles, so the neck feels stiff and sore. The pain can even radiate to the shoulders and arms.
4. Damaging eyesight
Your cell phone or tablet computer is designed for close-up use. This forces the user's eyes to constantly focus on reading the text on the HP screen. This habit can then cause tired eyes, especially if you spend 4-6 hours playing HP.
Symptoms of tired eyes include red or irritated eyes, dry eyes, and blurred vision.
5. Sleep disturbance
The negative impact of HP which is also commonly felt is sleep disturbance, especially for people who are addicted gadgets this. As long as there are cellphones around us, we often want to check or respond chat and read or post something, until bedtime was forgotten.
In addition, blue light (bluelight) emitted by cellphone screens can block the production of melatonin, a hormone that controls a person's sleep cycle, making it more difficult to start sleeping.
In addition to making the body not fresh in the morning, poor sleep quality can cause various health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
6. Cancer
Research shows that cell phone radiation can be carcinogenic, increasing the risk of cancer. One of them is glioblastoma brain cancer. Even so, there is no strong enough clinical evidence to support this theory, so further research still needs to be done.
No less important to remember is the increased risk of traffic accidents due to the use of mobile phones while driving. The risk of a traffic accident increases up to 3-4 times when using a cellphone while driving, both holding it and using it hands-free.
In addition to the various problems above, excessive use of cellphones can also cause a psychological impact called FOMO.
Safe Tips to Avoid the Negative Impact of HP
It is undeniable, now HP plays a big role in the daily life of many people. However, that doesn't mean we can't prevent its negative impacts.
Here are some tips to minimize the negative impact of HP:
- Limit the use of HP to just as necessary.
- Try to turn off your cellphone at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Keep the room atmosphere dark and quiet for better sleep quality.
- Reduce the light on the cellphone screen, clean the screen regularly, keep the distance between your eyes and the screen, and increase the text size to prevent the risk of eye fatigue.
- Avoid using cell phones while driving. If it's absolutely necessary, it's a good idea to stop by the side of the road for a moment to answer a phone call or reply to a message.
- When using HP, try not to look down too much. Take a break every 20 minutes and stretch your hands, arms, back, and neck.
- Do exercises such as yoga or pilates regularly to reduce muscle stiffness due to using too much cellphone.
- Do not use the cellphone while walking to avoid the risk of falling and getting injured.
- Use hands-free when making calls or listening to music if you are concerned about the effects of cell phone radiation on the brain.
HP users are advised to take a break from looking at the screen and follow the “20-20-20” rule, which is to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes of use by looking at something 20 feet (6 meters) away.
HP does bring a lot of convenience, but don't let its use threaten your health. Use HP wisely, so you can enjoy the benefits of technology without having to experience the negative effects of HP.
If you experience any of the negative effects of using a cellphone as mentioned above, don't hesitate to consult a doctor, especially if the impact interferes with your daily activities.