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Continuous use of laptops takes a heavy toll on everyday health in a number of ways, resulting in adverse health outcomes. This is why it is necessary to keep the use of laptops to a bare minimum in order to avoid these adverse health effects.

Sitting in front of laptop in the same position for hours at an end often results in a dull heaviness in the head, blurry vision and aching shoulders. Over the past decade, an alarming increase in the use of laptops has been noted along with a frightening escalation of the health problems stemming from prolonged use of laptops and sitting in front of computer screens.

Computers and laptops affect our health in a number of ways, the most common of which are eye sight problems. Here is why continuous use of laptops for long time durations is a potential health hazard for you.

1. Eyesight Problems

Laptops were designed for ease of use and easy portability but one of the major facts that was overlooked was that people tend to use laptops at a distance even closer than the desktop computer screen. Continual exposure to bright light exerts a severe strain on eyes.

Staring at the laptops screen for long intervals damages the eyes in a variety of ways, most common of which is eye exhaustion. It manifests as burning and dryness of eyes along with fatigue of eye muscles. Owing to the fact that the ciliary muscles of eye remain in a constantly contracted state to focus on the laptop screen placed quite close to the eyes, the muscles of eye become over exhausted.

Using laptops up close causes less frequent blinking of eyes (seven times as compared to a normal rate of 20 times per minute) which results in drying of cornea and haziness.

Blurring of vision ensues. Dry, aching eyes are a common result of using laptops frequently. Recent studies have found a close correlation between myopia (nearsightedness) and extended use of laptops.

2. Increased Propensity For Infections

In a recent study done at Britain's Imperial University, researchers found that the electrical fields created by electronics, especially computers and laptops cause the particles in the vicinity to become charged.

These particles also include various microbes like bacteria and viruses along with air contaminants like smoke and dust. Charging of these particles enhances their stickiness and when they are breathed in during inspiration, they tend to stick to the lining of lungs and the respiratory tract, increasing the risk of infections.

3. Muscle Strain

Using laptops in a reclining position and staying in the same posture for too long causes excessive muscle stress. Back pain, shoulder pain, tingling feelings in the arms and fingers result from using the laptop without a break. Remaining in the same position for too long to use laptops makes the muscles tense and also make the muscles, tendons and ligaments more prone to injury.  

4. Headache

Use of laptops puts excessive strain on the muscles at the back of the neck. Moreover, due to muscle stress at the base of the skull, headache can develop. Headache caused by laptops is of a dull, throbbing character and commonly occurs at the front part of the skull.   

The bottom line is, laptops should be used in a safe way in order to avoid the harmful health effects associated with them.

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