Video gaming is an addictive pursuit. But when real addiction takes hold, it can be harmful to your health. Being aware of the potential dangers will allow you to take precautions and avoid long-term problems.
As computer games become more and more popular people are spending more and more time glued to their computer screen or TV. Whilst gaming is a relatively harmless hobby, it must be enjoyed in moderation in order to ensure that there isn?t a price to pay for the enjoyment as addictive gaming can lead to a number of health problems.
The computer game generations are now growing up and it is possible to see and study the range of health issues that a lifetime of playing has contributed to. The more time spent on gaming, the more likely it is that you will suffer from one or more of these outlined conditions.
Sleep Deprivation
By far the most common side effect of an addiction to gaming is sleep deprivation. Time is a precious commodity and it is all too common for people to sacrifice their sleep in order to squeeze in a bit more gaming. Whilst most people can recover from a short period of sleep deprivation, if this is ongoing it can lead to insomnia, which is an underlying contributor to many other health issues.
Depression
Gaming is primarily thought of as a fun pastime but too much can lead to depression, especially when coupled with sleep deprivation. Addictive behaviour often leads to isolation and seclusion and addiction to video games is no different. Gaming addicts often eschew social engagements in order to continue playing and this can lead to serious depression.
Stress
As with depression, stress is not a side effect that would typically be associated with video gaming but is unfortunately increasingly common. Stress can result from a desire to achieve difficult goals as well as from a realisation that video games have otherwise been affecting your life.
Stress is especially common in the online gaming community as participation in guilds and teams leads to a deep sense of responsibility. Not letting other players down can become paramount, leading to increased online hours and unfeasible expectations that cause stress.
Arthritis
Video games do not only affect our mental health and well-being but can also have an impact on our physical health. There have been a number of studies that suggest that playing video games for extended periods of time can lead to damage in the joints on the hand. The thumb joint in particular is prone to osteoarthritis and video gaming is thought to increase the risk of thumb problems later in life.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel is the result of pressure on the nerves in the wrist that is often caused by repetitive motion, so gamers are very susceptible to the condition. Carpal Tunnel can lead to a variety of other issues, so it is important that care is taken to avoid it.
Focusing Problems
Perhaps the most concerning potential side effects of gaming addiction are those that can affect our vision. The eye focuses differently when looking at a video screen due to the constant movement and requirement to refocus due to distance and perception changes. This can lead to eye fatigue and difficulty changing focus to other objects after the game.
Irritation
It is proven that people blink less frequently when absorbed in video games, which can lead to tired, irritated eyes. Additionally, reduced blinking can eventually affect tear flow, which will result in dry eyes and may require treatment. A concerted effort to increase blinking can help to reduce irritation, as can specialist vision aids such as dailies aquacomfort plus from GetLenses.
Whilst it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of addiction to video games, it is certainly not the case that playing should be avoided altogether. Done moderately, gaming can reduce stress, improve creativity and generally provide an outlet in a sometimes frustrating world. Being responsible and taking precautions will ensure that you can enjoy your gaming experience for many years to come without serious hindrance from a gaming related health issue.
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AUTHOR BIO ? Sarah James writes regularly on gaming and related topics for a variety of websites and blogs. As an avid gamer herself she firmly believes that preventative measures, such as wrist exercises and an investment in good contact lenses such as dailies aqua-comfort plus from Get Lenses, improve her gaming time and chance of avoiding any serious side effects.
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