By Susan E. Eskdale
A collective groan can be heard from the thousands of people who work on a computer daily to make a living; another health risk, who’s kidding who?
The computer has received a bad rap from the ill-effects of monitors that once provided a release of harmful radiation to those who spent hours in front of the machine. The industry leaders have since developed monitors that are not only energy efficient, but that are friendly to the human condition. A second problem of glare from the computer screen was cause of headaches for many computer users; the solution antiglare shields that can be placed in front of the monitor glass to reduce the light reflections and even special features built into monitors for the express purpose of making the computer screen friendlier.
The increased occurrence of repetitive strain injuries in typists and computer analysts has been attributed to the hours spent keying information into computer forms, letters, coding and other functions of the computer based world. As a result of the increasing presence of repetitive strain injuries the industry was forced to find relief for those with the injuries while instituting changes that would be helpful in the prevention of these injuries.
The split keyboard that places hands in a more natural positioning were introduced to help decrease the strain common in straight keyboard users. Those who continued to use the straight keyboard were offered the solution of placing a wrist rest at the base of the keyboard, just below the space bar. The first presentations of the wrist rests or guards were in the form of hard plastic.
When the level of repetitive strain injuries did not decrease as drastically as expected, the question became ‘why are the wrist guards or wrist supports not decreasing the discomfort of the typists?’ The discovery was made that most of the typists found that the rests were too hard to be comfortable; the next evolution of wrist rests would be padded materials and finally the introduction of a gel based wrist pad that allowed the individual’s wrist to sink into the material which would form a cushion around the wrist.
Ergonomics studied the layout of workstations, equipment and lighting to determine and provide environments that would reduce possible ill effects of being stationed at a desk.
Setting up a workstation to ensure optimal comfort and productivity is of utmost importance. Remembering that the placement of monitors, keyboards, peripherals, document holders, lighting, desks and chairs help to reduce the incidence of headache, neck pain and back pain. This is not enough, however as we tend to spend numerous hours in front of computers and many of us fail to move out of the position or to take breaks from looking at the monitor.
Sitting at your computer can kill!
If you always laughed off the other health woes of sitting in front of your computer this concept that sitting at your computer can kill is absolutely ridiculous, however this is a very real threat.
Poor blood circulation results from sitting in an upright position with limited movement of the legs. Circulation issues are not minor, in fact these can turn into deadly circumstances when a blood clot forms in the veins located within the legs. The blood clot, also known as a thrombosis, is much like a bullet that travels through the body damaging the body’s ability to function normally. A blood clot circulated through the blood stream can end up in the lungs causing death. Those who are treated in a timely fashion may be lucky enough to survive, but there are no guarantees.
This condition does not affect only the old, the infirm or any other normally high risk group. This condition is like the “economy class syndrome”, which was discovered in patients that had been confined to seats in the economy class of an airplane; with no room to move these individuals experienced impaired blood circulation leading to thrombosis.
The Medical Research Institute of New Zealand has been placed on the map with an important discovery relating to the thrombosis condition. Dr. Richard Beasley treated a young male who spent up to 18 hours a day working at his computer, his health was not just comprised it had progressed to an almost lethal condition. If Dr. Beasley had not identified the thrombosis it is more than likely this young man would have died.
Coining a new phrase for this computer related malady Dr. Richard Beasley speaks of e-thrombosis as a very real, life threatening condition. Can we save ourselves from this painful and often deadly condition? The answer is a resounding YES. How can you protect yourself?
1. Remember to stand up from your desk or computer workstation and take a walk around. The walk doesn’t need to be long; perhaps as far as your kitchen or the vending machine at the office.
2. Take frequent breaks; at least once every 20 minutes get up from the desk, stretch, move around and allow your body the opportunity to relax and recuperate from eye fatigue, increasing muscle tension and stiffness.
3. Spend the minimum amount of time possible in front of a computer, take time to sit in a cushioned chair or even to relax with your feet up. Of course, this is not always possible at work, but the opportunity does present itself on occasion.
Remember, your computer can be a deadly addiction. Take the advice of Dr. Beasley so you don’t end up in a life or death situation.
Susan Eskdale, the President of S.E.A. Consulting, is a freelance writer, professional editor and a web designer. This former educator has rediscovered her passion for writing and enjoys contributing fiction, non-fiction and poetry for a variety of online publications.
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