Internet addiction is said to be the constant and regular need to spend all of our time on the Internet, by which our work, health and relationships suffer at a greater rate. People totally depend on gadgets that require the Internet, and they usually spend most of their time online to become social. By this act, they lose their health and confidence. It is due to the technological advancement that catches the attention of youth. Our youth is greatly affected by internet addiction. They frequently use gadgets associated with internet and compromise their health. In this article, we will discuss how internet addiction can affect your physical health.
What is Internet Addiction?
Problematic internet use, sometimes called internet use disorder, is another name for online addiction. It’s a metaphor for someone’s incessant drive to be online, no matter the consequences. It presents itself in an individual’s inability to control their time spent online and engaging in repetitive online activities.
Prevalence of Internet Addiction
There is currently an internet addiction crisis happening everywhere because of the proliferation of smartphones and cheap internet access. As medical science and technology develop, more and more people of all ages are being diagnosed with this ailment.
Factors Contributing to Internet Addiction
Addiction to the internet is a complex problem with multiple causes. Negative emotions like stress, worry, and depression can motivate people to seek solace in cyberspace. A person’s reliance on virtual relationships may also be the result of social issues like loneliness or a lack of offline friendships.
Behavioral Patterns of Internet Addicts
Internet addicts often exhibit distinct behavioral patterns. They may lose track of time while online, neglecting other responsibilities and commitments. Moreover, they might become defensive or irritable when confronted about their internet usage, further exacerbating the problem.
How Internet Addiction Can Affect Your Physical Health
Internet addiction can affect your physical health in many ways. Here are some effects of internet addiction on physical health.
Bad posture
Many people sit in incorrect postures while engaged in online activities, which leads to many musculoskeletal issues such as back pain and neck strain. Bad posture impacts on the hip and shoulder areas of the body. Chronic sitting situations lead to tension in the frontal muscles, including the pectoral and hip flexor muscles, which all tend to pull the body forward into a flexed position. That cause extreme pain in the muscles and shoulders.
Sleeping Disorders
Due to internet addiction, people face many sleeping disorders due to the frequent changes of their sleeping hours and cause insomnia. It is a sleeping disorder in which the affected person can’t sleep or have very bad sleep. Because the internet-addicted person uses the Internet for long hours, the blue light emitted by the screens stimulates the brain and makes it difficult to fall asleep. Also, late-night internet use disturbs the sleep pattern, which leads to extreme fatigue and harms overall health.
Disrupted Eating Habits
The people who are Internet addicted don’t take meals on their time. They mostly skip their lunches or dinners and become so weak. Due to this, they become physically weak, and their stomach got affected. Some people eat too much while watching tv shows and movies. They become overweight, which can cause major health issues such as high blood pressure and sugar. In high blood pressure and sugar, their veins become narrower, and that causes many cardiovascular diseases.
Cause Mental Stress and Extreme Mood Swings
The people who are so indulged in the Internet become very introverts, and they don’t like to talk with anyone. They become so aggressive and moody. Similar to any other substance addiction, internet addiction can also lead to dependency. When the addicted person is unable to access the Internet, they experience a feeling of loneliness crying and feeling so blue. That causes major digestive issues. They become violent and irritated.
Decreased Attention on Work
The person who is Internet addicted is unable to do his daily tasks, and even and can’t bear any workload. Spending excessive time online can contribute to a shorter attention span and reduce their concentration on work and studies. This can impact their academic and professional life, which can increase their stress level. The extreme stress caused by undoing work can cause high blood pressure and arise many other neurological issues.
Eye And Vision Problems
Staring at a screen for a very long time period can affect the eyes and cause digital eye strain because the blue light from digital devices can enter the lining of the back of your eye and cause many disorders, including those associated with dry eye syndrome irritation or burning sensation in the eye. Some symptoms include eye pain and exhaustion, dry eyes, hazy vision, and headaches.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Internet-addicted people don’t move frequently and sit in Infront of the screen all the time. Spending too much time on the Internet contributes to a sedentary lifestyle leading to weight gain and obesity, which can increase the risk of chronic health diseases such as depression, heart disease, vein blockage, diabetes and certain type of cancers.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive motions like typing or using a mouse while engaging in excessive internet activities can cause inflammation and compression of the median nerve, which leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. A common neurological condition in which the median nerve, which travels from your forearm into the palm of your hand, is pinched or compressed at the wrist. Your fingers could swell and become unusable, and you could experience numbness, weakness, and pain in your hand and wrist.
Final Thought
Although the internet undoubtedly has many advantages, excessive use and addiction can have a negative influence on both mental and physical health. The key to fighting against to internet addiction and its negative effects is recognizing the warning signals, developing good online habits, and getting expert help. In the digital age, it is essential to prioritize our physical health in order to live a healthy and balanced life.
