For the past several months we have been having frightening days. Although COVID-19 originated in China, it gradually spread around the world and became a global epidemic. As a result, quarantine and lockdown began all over the world, which is still going on. It is not the purpose of this article to discuss the origin, spreading, treatment, etc. of COVID -19. The purpose of this article is to discuss the types of human health problems that may result from the extensive use of computers as a result of homestay and work from home. Because, most of the working at home depends on the computer. People have to work in front of the computer for a long time. As a result, computer-related health hazards are increasing day by day. Let’s look at what kind of health problems can grow in us at this time due to the overuse of computers.
Computers have been one of the biggest influences on our lives in modern times. Due to the small size and affordable price, there is the advent of the Internet. This has ensured that people use this technology in their workplace or at home. It is estimated that worldwide, 25% of computer users already suffer computer-related injuries. Ignoring these computer-related issues would cost the United States more than 2 2 billion a year. It has now been proven that work time and computer-related issues are positively related. It became the first among occupational health problems, the frequency with which they affect quality of life. This has led to an increase in computer-related health hazards such as eye strain, wrist, and back pain.
So with the heavy and excessive use of computers, during the lockdown, and work from home we are now entering a new era of computer-related health problems. Let us discuss some of these issues with their preventive and regulatory measures.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the middle nerve is squeezed when it travels through the wrist. It provides curved muscles to the middle finger and thumb. It senses the palm surface of the hand. The carpal tunnel is the lateral part of the palm of the wrist, decorated on one side by the bones of the carpal and on the other by the flexor retinaculum.
It has been recognized that prolonged use of the computer keyboard and repeated movement of the wrist can lead to inflammation of the carpal tunnel syndrome.
Clinical signs and symptoms include numbness and tingling in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. The next stage is the wasting and weakness of the taut muscles, including sensory deficits. There is inexperience in continuing the subtle movement.
If the symptoms are not too severe, carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated conservatively with rest, warm briefs, wrist splints, anti-inflammatory medications, and steroid injections. A surgical carpal ligament release procedure may be necessary if the symptoms are severe.
Recurrent Strain Injury (RSI)
These are caused by repeated physical movements that damage tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft tissues. Repetitive strain injuries are increasing with the use of computers, faulty typing techniques, physically weak postures, and positions.
Lack of adequate rest between work and the use of extra energy when using the mouse or keyboard can lead to recurrent stress injury (RSI). Symptoms of RSI include stiffness, discomfort, and stiffness, burning in the hands, wrists, fingers, forehead, and elbows. Loss of strength and lack of coordination are accompanied by lethargy, chills, and hand frustration. There is pain in the upper back, shoulders, and neck and they need to be massaged.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer Vision Syndrome is a combination of eye and vision problems related to experienced work while using a computer. People forecasting conditions such as negligent or inappropriately correctable refractive errors, binocular dysfunction, and focusing deficiencies can exacerbate the problem. Poor lighting, inadequate viewing distance, unnecessarily designed workstations, poor contrast, glare, and reflection all contribute to computer vision syndrome.
Precautions
Use the right posture to reduce stress on muscles, bones, and tendons. As soon as your arms reach aboard, the site of a 90 angle to a 100 con. Your knees should extend 4-6 inches from the edge of the seat and bend at a 90o angle. Use a regular chair with full back support. Elevate your chair to a level where your knees are just below the level of your hips.
Use proper typing techniques. Refrain from using force while typing or holding the mouse. Keep your body and mind as comfortable as possible, breathe regularly and deeply. Keep your hands and arms warm. Eliminate unnecessary computer use. Take micro-breaks at least every 15-30 minutes. Use ‘break reminder’ software packages. Intensive computer use should take long breaks every hour or two. Practice stretching during breaks. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Speech recognition software can be tried as an alternative to keyboard input.
The seat should provide strong support in the posterior lumbar region and should incorporate some posterior leeches. Chair adjustment controls should be easy to handle and reach. In the case of minimal adjustment, if the height of the chair is too high, a footrest can be used.
The computer keyboard should be placed at a comfortable angle to the surface at almost elbow height. The hand and wrist should be kept in a neutral position while typing. The wrist should be straight and not bent upwards, downwards, or sideways. The shoulders should be relaxed, the upper arms should hang comfortably around the body and the elbows should not be kept away from the body.
The mouse should be positioned in such a way that the shoulders and upper arms relax when moving the mouse and move closer to the body. Keep the wrists and hands in a neutral position. Apply as little force as possible. Using mouse wrist support can be useful.
The top of the display screen should be slightly below eye level and about 18 “to 24” away from the face. The copy should be placed on a copy stand in front of the worker and at approximately the same height as the monitor.
Your vision should be checked frequently. If you are wearing a corrective lens, ask about lenses that are designed to work on a computer at a focal length. Increase font size. Reduce glare using flashing reduction filters and hoods. An anti-reflection coated spectrum can be used. Choose a monitor with a good resolution for clarity of characters on the screen. The screen refresh rate should be at least 60 Hz to remove the screen flicker. Take a short break of about 20 seconds every 20 minutes and look at an object more than 20 feet away. Rub your hands and palms together for 5 to 10 seconds until warm. Warm date cups on your closed eyes relax your brow. Breathe regularly and easily.
Conclusion
So from what is described above, it appears that there are certain syndromes that occur with prolonged computer use. It is clearer, however, that if certain rules are followed and appropriate precautions are taken, the risk of any one of these can be reduced and people with computer-related disorders can be treated.
Lockdown that change their lifestyle have comparative features in an ergonomic workstation and posture – free and good work performance. However, people who do not make the necessary changes experience moderate to severe discomfort and have to return to medication for relief.
References:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/carpal-tunnel-syndrome
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/computer-related-injuries
