Computers make the world go round.
But working on the computer can be a pain in the neck and in the back and
in the arm and in several other places. If you're wondering what we're
talking about, it's a phenomenon known as computer related stress injuries.
This is not something that can be taken lightly. While most of the sufferers
are adults at present, it is soon likely to affect children as they spend
longer hours in front of their computers. Parents should be aware of the
causes and prevention of stress related injuries so that they can protect
their children from future injury.
Repetitive stress injuries (RSI)
are a group of conditions generally caused by placing too much stress on
a joint, and they vary in type and severity. Activities that involve spending
long hours on the computer or playing video games, or playing musical instruments
or repetitive motions associated with sports like tennis are likely to
lead to the development of RSI. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome,
cervical radiculopathy, epicondylitis, ganglion cyst, reflex sympathetic
dystrophy, and tendonitis occur when stress is placed on a joint, pulling
on the tendons and muscles around the joint. As the stress is repetitive,
the body does not have time to recoup and the affected area becomes irritated.
This irritation results in the buildup of excess fluid in the affected
area as the body attempts to relieve the stress placed on the tendon or
the muscle.
The different
conditions of RSI
If you're experiencing pain, tingling
and numbness in the region of your hand, you probably have what is known
as Carpal tunnel syndrome. In this condition, there is swelling inside
a narrow "tunnel" formed by bone and ligament in the wrist, which surrounds
the nerves that conduct sensory and motor impulses to and from the hand.
Cervical radiculopathy refers to a disk
compression in the neck, often linked to a habit of cradling the phone
on your shoulder.
Epicondylitis, more popularly known
as "tennis elbow" refers to elbow soreness.
A Ganglion cyst is characterized by
a swelling or lump in the wrist resulting from a jelly-like substance that
has leaked from a joint or tendon sheath.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a rare,
incurable condition that is quite painful. Its symptoms are dry, swollen
hands and loss of muscle control.
Tendonitis refers to the tearing and
inflammation of tendons connecting bones to muscles.
Twitching eyes; sore, tired, burning,
itching or dry eyes; blurred or double vision; increased sensitivity to
light are all symptoms of eye strain.
