Risks from too much computer time

Computer users

Carol Forsloff -  Sitting at your desk in front of the computer for too long may put you at risk for DVT, and it can kill. Furthermore, the lack of exercise by being at your desk sitting with little exercise can reduce your life span.

 Several years ago a young man from New Zealand almost died after working at his
computer 18 hours daily.  A massive blood clot formed in his leg, broke off, and traveled to his lungs.

That's a wake-up call for the sedentary who work at desks or who ride on planes for hours.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the name of a condition that describes blood clots in the deep veins of, most commonly, the sedentary or immobile individuals.  The longer one is sedentary the more potential there is for these blood clots to form, which can break off and travel to the brain or the lungs.

Flying or long stretches of immobility, more than four to six hours in a bent leg position can create those special circumstances that can prove serious.

Experts say "to avoid having this condition, get up and walk around every half hour whether on a plane or sitting at a desk.

That's because DVT is not a new condition.  It was reported in people who sat on deck chairs for long periods of time in London air raid shelters during the Second World War

It requires vigilance for the sedentary, as it can be fatal. Untreated, these clots can break off and take a dangerous long-distance trip of their own to your lungs or brain.

Sitting for long periods at a computer desk (or for that matter in front of a television or other area for extended periods of a time) can take years off your life, experts tell us. The American Cancer Society has found that women who sit more than six hours daily are 40% more likely to die earlier than women who are more active, who exercise and change positions regularly.

And too much computer time can cause serious risks to vision, as studies have found that heavy computer use is linked to glaucoma.  It has also been found to have increased near-sightedness in children.

The advice is to get up, stretch, walk around while working at sedentary tasks and limit computer time in order to maintain healthy eyes and a healthy life as well.