“The Era of the Head-Down Society” Of course! We are probably familiar with this phrase, but did you know that the habit of constantly looking down at your mobile phone not only causes a lack of interaction with people around you but can also lead to various diseases? Hmm! So, can the constant head-down tapping be called an addiction? Let’s check our own symptoms of mobile phone usage.
What is Mobile Syndrome?
Mobile Syndrome, also known as Smartphone Syndrome or Text Neck Syndrome, is caused by the behavior of looking down at a mobile phone for long periods. The general symptoms are similar to Office Syndrome, which most office workers experience due to working in front of a computer all day, resulting in pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. However, Mobile Syndrome often includes stiffness and pain in the wrists, fingers, and arms more frequently.
Using your phone all day, are you at risk of Smartphone Syndrome?
Of course, everyone uses their phones, but how can we tell if we are at risk of Smartphone Syndrome? Initially, we can look for physical warning signs such as pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back similar to office syndrome. This pain may extend to the wrists due to inflammation of the wrist tendons from prolonged phone use. Additionally, staying up late due to phone addiction can cause fatigue. Frequently staring at the phone in the dark can strain the eye muscles and optic nerves, leading to eye fatigue, redness, and soreness.
We can easily test ourselves for the risk of Smartphone Syndrome by using four fingers to grip the thumb, extend the arm, and then clench the fist downward. If you feel stiffness or unusual sensations, it indicates early symptoms of the condition. If you feel pain as well, it means you need to seek treatment promptly. If you suddenly notice abnormalities such as swelling or pain in the wrist or fingers, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Did you know? It not only affects the body but also harms mental health
Mobile phone addiction not only harms physical health but can also cause psychiatric disorders such as No Mobile Phone or “Nomophobia” , an anxiety disorder characterized by fear of being without a mobile phone. When the phone battery is low or there is no signal, sufferers feel anxious, stressed, have difficulty breathing, nausea, and constantly check their phones.
There are also equally concerning psychiatric disorders such as Facebook Depression Syndrome” or Facebook Depression, feelings of sadness, loneliness, and depression caused by seeing friends’ Facebook statuses filled with success and happiness. Some people cannot bear to keep seeing this and end up unfriending those friends. Others anxiously wait for comments or replies. This Facebook addiction that diminishes happiness aligns with a University of Michigan study that found excessive Facebook use may negatively affect happiness and life satisfaction.
Mobile addiction can also cause attention deficit and poor memory because the brain receives too much unnecessary information daily. Stress arises from worrying about news feeds or chat notifications and consuming bad news. Relationships with people around also deteriorate, and accidents may occur due to lack of attention to surroundings while constantly looking down at the phone.
Treatment for Smartphone Syndrome or Text Neck Syndrome
This condition is caused by behavior. Treatment has two main approaches:
- Behavioral modification by advising patients to adjust their posture to a proper position when using mobile phones and to reduce the time spent on mobile phones.
- Physical therapy such as muscle relaxation, stretching, and exercises to strengthen muscles, combined with medication to reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle relaxants. For patients with severe symptoms or degeneration of cervical vertebrae or discs with nerve compression, thorough diagnosis is required to consider surgical treatment. Currently, there are innovative minimally invasive surgeries that are more precise and safer than traditional surgery, with a very low risk of nerve injury. However, since this condition is behavior-related, behavioral modification is the best preventive approach.
Behavior modification… helps reduce risk
If you realize you are addicted to your phone to the point it feels like your 33rd limb, you should quickly adjust your habits and discipline your phone use. Find other activities to replace phone time, such as traveling, exercising, reading a good book, or chatting with friends at a café. If you must use your phone, try to keep your neck as straight as possible, avoid slouching or hunching your shoulders. Every hour, put your phone down and rest your eyes, neck, and wrists for 10-15 minutes without touching the phone. Also, gently exercise your wrists to stretch the muscles.