Injuries Caused by

Computers
CSC 120-29

Malone
King
Krista

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................ 1
Posture-related injuries............................................................................................... 1
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome due to Computer use..........................................................2
Eyestrain from Computer Use..................................................................................... 2
Internet and Computer Addiction...............................................................................2
Stress and sleep disorders caused by Computer Use.................................................3

Figure 1...................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 2...................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 3...................................................................................................................... 3

Introduction
The Computer has become a staple in modern living. Almost everyone living in
an industrialized country owns a computer or knows how to get access to a computer.
People today can use computers to do research, communicate with friends and family
via social networking sites or by video chat. Sometimes people use the computer to play
games or to shop online. Although using computers almost every day has been the way
of life, there are some health risks related to the over use of computers. For instance,
ones posture can be injured from the overuse of computers. A person can develop
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, as well as, tendon disorders from using the computer. People
may strain their eyes from everyday computer use. There are even injuries from using a
laptop computer. There are even reports of stress and sleep disorders being caused by
the computer. People sometimes can even grow addicted to computers.

Posture-related injuries
While using a computer, one is either hunched over
the keyboard or slouching in a chair to get the best
angle. Back and neck pain, headaches, and
shoulder and arm pain are probably the most
common computer related injuries (Better Health par
3). Have you ever sat using a computer for so long
Figure 1

your lower back starts to hurt? According to

AFSCME lower back pains is often a result from sitting for long periods in a chair that
does not support the lower back (par 23). Continuous use of the computer with the
wrong type of chair and desk can injure ones posture.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome due to Computer use

Using a computer requires a person to use their hands and wrists repeatedly. Having
ones hands in the same position and moving in the same way over and over again can
cause pain and sometimes tendon issues. According to
AFSCME, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is caused by pressure
on the median nerve, which runs from the shoulder down to
the hand (par 7). Major causes of carpel tunnel:

Figure 2

working with bent wrists

a high rate of repetition using the hands
a lack of rest for the hands and wrists and
Forceful hand motions
(AFSCME par 10).

Eyestrain from Computer Use

Eyes are very sensitive. Over use or straining ones eyes could cause a person
to need glasses and in some cases go blind. According to Better Health, an illuminated
computer screen can cause eye fatigue; eye fatigue can cause computer users to get
symptoms such as blurred vision, temporary inability to focus on faraway objects and
headaches (par 9). To prevent eyestrain, a computer should be at least an arms length
away from ones face.

Internet and Computer Addiction

Constant use of the computer can cause people to become addicted. Just like
any other thing, using something every day can trigger an addiction. There are many
different types of computer addictions. According to Help Guide, the variety of internet
addictions includes:

Cybersex Addiction compulsive use of Internet

pornography, adult chat rooms, or adult fantasy roleplay sites impacting negatively on real-life intimate
relationships.

Cyber-Relationship Addiction addiction to social

networking, chat rooms, texting, and messaging to the
point where virtual, online friends become more
important than real-life relationships with family and

Figure 3

friends.

Net Compulsions such as compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading, or

compulsive use of online auction sites such as eBay, often resulting in financial and jobrelated problems.

Information Overload compulsive web surfing or database searching, leading to lower

work productivity and less social interaction with family and friends.

Computer Addiction obsessive playing of off-line computer games, such as Solitaire or

Minesweeper, or obsessive computer programming.

(Help guide par 2).

Stress and sleep disorders caused by Computer Use

Technology can be a cause of sleep disorders which in turn trigger stress. According to
Dr. Volpi,
Heavy cell phone use showed an increase in sleep disorders in men and an increase in
depressive symptoms in both men and women.
Those constantly accessible via cell phones were the most likely to report mental health
issues.
Men who use computers intensively were more likely to develop sleeping problems.
Regular, late night computer use was associated with sleep disorders, stress and depressive
symptoms in both men and women.
Frequently using a computer without breaks further increases the risk of stress, sleeping
problems and depressive symptoms in women.
A combination of both heavy computer use and heavy mobile use makes the associations
even stronger ( par 4).

Works Cited
"Computer-related Injuries." Better Health Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Computer-related_injuries>.
"News / Publications Publications." AFSCME. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.afscme.org/news/publications/workplace-health-and-safety/the-keys-to-healthycomputing-a-health-and-safety-handbook/chapter-1-health-problems-caused-by-computerwork/part-b-computer-related-injuries-illnesses-and-discomfort>.
P.C., F.A.C.S., David Volpi, M.D.,. "Heavy Technology Use Linked to Fatigue, Stress and Depression in
Young Adults." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 02 Aug. 2012. Web. 07 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-volpi-md-pc-facs/technologydepression_b_1723625.html>.
Saisan, Joanna, M.S.W., Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson`, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. "Internet
& Computer Addiction." Internet and Computer Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment.
N.p., Nov. 2013. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm>.