Healthy Living Spring 2019

HEALTHYliving SPRING 2019

WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS

HELPFUL & HARMFUL SIDES OF SMARTPHONES

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Life is better with you in it.

Schedule a potentially lifesaving colonoscopy now.

If you are over 45, the American Cancer Society recommends regular colorectal screenings. As a leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the U.S., a screening can often find colorectal cancer early when it might be easier to treat. Don’t wait, make an appointment today. A colonoscopy could mean more time with the people you love. To make an appointment today, call 252-833-2872.

Why have a colonoscopy?* • Regular screenings can help prevent colorectal cancer.

• Polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer.

• When found at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is about 90%.

Vincent Iannace, M.D. Board-Certified General Surgeon

310 S. McCaskey Road • Williamston, NC (3rd Floor of Martin General Hospital)

*Information from Cancer.org – The American Cancer Society. Talk with your doctor about your own health and your family history so that you can choose the best screening plan for you.

Member of the Medical Staff at Martin General Hospital. • Patient results may vary. Consult your physician about the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure or treatment.

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4/11/19 5:50 PM

PUBLISHER

HEALTHYliving WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS

Ashley Vansant EDITORIAL

Matt Debnam Vail Stewart Rumley

5 SCREEN TIME HEALTH ISSUES

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

David D. Singleton MARKETING & SALES

Cecilia Prokos Amy Whitaker Scott Williamson

6 VAPING IMPACT ON SMOKING

DISTRIBUTION

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Sylvester Rogers ART DIRECTION

PRACTICING HEALTHIER GAMING

Elizabeth Reed

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY OF SMART PHONE USE

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P.O. Box 1788 Washington, NC 27889 ADVERTISING

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INQUIRIES

252-946-2144

SAFEGAURD YOUR EYES

HEALTHYliving is published four times a year by Washington Newsmedia, LLC. Copyright 2019 Washington Newsmedia, LLC

MEDICAL AND HEALTH DIRECTORY

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Screen time tied to health issues

D

o you feel panicked if you leave home without mobile phone in hand?

Do you find it difficult to sit in the house without browsing the internet on your devices? Are your children spending much of their classroom hours on tablets? Screen time has taken over most people’s daily lives, but at what cost?

A 2018 report from Nielsen found that adults log a total of 11 hours of screen time per day. Delaney Ruston, a physician and creator of the documentary “Screenagers,” which explores young people’s use of digital devices, discovered kids spend an average of 6.5 to eight hours per day looking at screens. All of this time glued to digital devices has profound effects on physical and mental health, and many experts are advising people to cut back on the time they spend on their devices.

translates into loss of communication between cognitive and emotional centers within the brain.

Vision problems Staring into screens for extended periods of time can damage areas of the eyes and result in computer vision syndrome, which is characterized by trained eyes, blurred vision and headaches. The Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study, conducted by researchers and clinicians from the USC Eye Institute at Keck Medicine in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, has found that exaggerated screen time and insufficient sunlight exposure has more than doubled incidences of myopia (nearsightedness) among American children in recent years.

Brain damage Multiple studies indicate that spending considerable time on screens can produce atrophy (shrinkage or loss of tissue volume) in gray matter areas of the brain according to reports in Psychology Today. These are regions of the brain where processing occurs. One of the most affected areas includes the frontal lobe, which governs executive functions like planning, prioritizing, organizing, and impulse control.

Another vulnerable area is the insula, which is tied to a person’s capacity to develop empathy and compassion for others. Research also shows that white Sleep disturbances U n i ve r s i t y o f G o t h e n b u r g matter can be compromised, which

psychologist Sara Thomée, a lead researcher into the effects of screen time on the body, says the blue light from digital devices suppresses the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, keeping people from having restful sleeps.

Overstimulation Screen time can cause hyperarousal, which may be more notable in children than adults, according to research published in Psychology Today. Regular amounts of screen time can cause the brain to be in a state of chronic stress, which can short circuit the frontal lobe.

This may lead to addictive behaviors, rage, inability to recover from minor frustrations and hyperactivity.

Screen time is profound and may be hurting minds and bodies. Many people have set goals to reduce the time they spend on electronics to improve their personal health. ■

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Does vaping make it harder to quit smoking?

M

ore people in the United States are addicted to nicotine than any other drug, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Smokers become dependent on cigarettes for various reasons, not the least of which is the addictive properties of nicotine.

According to longitudinal data from the National Population Health Survey in Canada, approximately 20 percent of adult daily smokers 18 years and older who had quit in the past two years resumed smoking within the next two years. The CDC says quitting smoking may require several attempts before quitters can successfully put smoking behind them. Factors such as withdrawal symptoms, stress and weight gain compel many people to light up after quitting.

Some people may feel that e-cigarettes can help them gradually kick their tobacco habit. And thanks to the variety of flavors and styles of vapor-based nicotine delivery systems, it seems more people are vaping because they believe it to be less dangerous than traditional smoking.

But the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California indicates smokers who vape are 28-percent less likely to ditch traditional cigarettes despite believing they are cessation aids. And they still may be putting their health in grave risk. The American Lung Association says there are hundreds of brands of e-cigarettes on the market and none of them have been

evaluated by the FDA for safety.

Because vaping is largely in its infancy, there are no long-term studies of its health implications or its efficacy in regard to helping smokers quit. However, much of the available evidence suggests that vaping may only be marginally better than using tobacco cigarettes. Analysis from the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco suggests that people who vape every day may double their risk of having a heart attack than those who do not vape or smoke (compared to triple the risk with smoking tobacco). Also, according to the Bloomberg School of Public Health, researchers found that the aerosol particles that vapers breathe contain some of the same toxic metals and metallic elements found in conventional cigarettes, including cadmium and nickel.

Potentially unsafe levels of several other dangerous substances, such as arsenic, chromium and manganese, were also found.

Another cause for concern is the propensity to abuse e-cigarettes, toking much more than is recommended. Vapers may be consuming very high levels of nicotine per day without realizing how much they are inhaling. A 2014 study showed wide-ranging nicotine levels and inconsistencies between listed and actual nicotine levels, according to the ALA. E-cigarettes are a controversial subject.

More research is required to determine their health risks and their potential to help people quit smoking altogether.â–

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Practice healthier gaming techniques Gaming continues to grow in popularity, and with new ways to engage in social or individual game play available thanks to various technological devices, the frequency with which gamers engage in these recreational pursuits only increases. In fact, a 2018 report by Limelight Networks found that gamers spend an average of 5.96 hours each week playing games.

Excessive gaming can pose a threat to gamers’ overall health. The following physical and mental wellness tips can help gamers ensure they get to play without sacrificing their health.

• Remember to blink. Staring at screens for long periods of time can cause serious eye strain. Sometimes, when immersed in the intensity of game play, a gamer may forget to blink his or her eyes, and this can lead to tired, dry eyes. As with other screen usage, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Per the Canadian Association of Optometrists, every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away.

• Take frequent breaks. Gamers should get up out of their seats and take breaks at regular intervals. This gives their eyes and ears a rest and allows them to stretch and reset their posture. Sitting for long periods of time can affect circulation and have adverse effects on the neck and spine as well.

• Get some fresh air. Individuals should use break opportunities to go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine, if possible. The light and clean air can improve energy levels and possibly help restore focus when it comes time to return to the game. Spending too many consecutive hours in a dark room can impact the brain and may affect how people learn, according to research led by Michigan State neuroscientists. Dim lights can make it hard to retain memories, while bright light boosts information retention and mood.

• Stretch hands and wrists. Maintaining overall good posture and stretching hands and wrists can offset complications of carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that can affect mobility in the wrists and lead to inflammation and pain.

• Recognize addiction. People can get addicted to gaming just as they would to any other activity or substance. Novelty addiction is prolonged time spent on video games, the internet or smartphones.

Research indicates these novelties can trigger various psychological responses in the brain, and people grow accustomed to chasing those triggers. Incorporate other activities into one’s day so that gaming is not the end-all.

People can enjoy gaming in a safe and healthy way by incorporating various wellness strategies into their gaming routines.■

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THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY of smart phone use

BY MATT DEBNAM

E

very year, it seems as though smart phones become more and more interwoven into our daily lives. As society continues to navigate how phones are used and misused, apps designed to help improve health clash with the inherent health issues posed by too much time using devices.

emergency, smart use of a smartphone can literally save a person’s life.

Add to this, new applications to help track sleep patterns, plan meals and set medication reminders, and the phone can be a powerful tool to help a person take control of his or her health.

THE BAD From anxiety to brain damage and vision problems, the negative impacts THE GOOD According to the U.S. Food and of spending too much time with one’s Drug Administration, mobile medical phone have been well-documented in applications hold considerable recent years. possibilities to help Americans A 2019 study from the Journal of improve their health. From healthcare American Medicine found there may professionals to everyday people, be links between too much screen time medicine and technology are becoming and reduced cognitive development.

Recommendations from the study increasingly integrated.

From using mobile phones as fitness encouraged parents to develop family trackers and monitoring heart rate to media plans and manage screen time to establishing medical alerts and using prevent possible issues. voice recognition to call 911 in an From young children to teenagers,

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the amount of time spent staring at a screen is on the rise, and for adults, the issue is just as bad. According to a 2018 report from Nielsen, the average adult spends more than 11 hours per day interacting with media.

With so much time glued to screen, there are even apps on the market now designed to help monitor and curb screen time, letting a person know how much time they spend on their phone and cutting usage off at an appointed time limit.

THE UGLY Aside from the health impacts of spending too much time looking at screens, it’s easy to forget that phones pick up bacteria wherever they go. According to research conducted at the University of Arizona, cell phones can carry 10 times more bacteria than some toilet seats.

On average, American adults check their phones 52 times per day, according to a 2018 Global

Mobile Consumer Survey conducted by management consulting firm Deloitte. With every touch, more contaminants are introduced.

Te ch e x p e r t s r e c o m m e n d a combination of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol applied to a microfiber cloth for cleaning.

Prepackaged cleaners may also assist in keeping a phone clean, as will regular hand washing and keeping phones away from ger m-prone areas. ■

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Safeguard your eyes against computer vision syndrome

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echnolog y has simplified life in so many ways. Thanks to their tablets and smartphones, many people now have a wealth of information at their disposal 24 hours a day, seven days week.

C o m p u t e r s, t a b l e t s a n d smartphones can now be seen just about everywhere, so it’s no wonder that studies have shown that as much as 90 percent of computer users have reported symptoms of computer vision syndrome, or CVS. Sometimes referred to as “digital eye strain,” CVS is, according to the American Optometric Association, an umbrella term used to describe a group of eye and visionrelated problems that result from prolonged computer use.

Manhattan Vision Associates notes that such problems can arise in people who spend two or more hours daily in front of a screen, a qualifier that means just about anyone, from working professionals to children, is susceptible to CVS.

time staring at a screen may never develop CVS. But those who do may experience the following symptoms.

• Eyestrain: When people spend ample time staring at screens, the muscles of their inner eyes can strain and tighten and cause eye irritation. This can result in fatigue and pain.

• Blur red vision: Blur red vision can compromise a person’s ability to see small details. That loss of sharpness can make it hard to focus on a screen for a significant amount of time. In addition, vision can blur as people go back and forth between their keyboards and screens or multiple screens, as many people do while simultaneously working on a computer and using their smartphones.

• Headaches: Many people develop headaches after staring at screens for prolonged periods of time. That’s because the brightness and contrast of a screen can produce an indirect glare that’s especially hard on the eyes.

• Dry eyes: People do not blink as often when staring at screens as What are the symptoms they do when they are not looking of CVS? at screens. As a result, people are No two individuals are the vulnerable to dry eyes when staring same, and some people who at screens, as blinking is one of the spend significant amounts of ways the eyes replenish moisture.

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Can CVS be prevented?

While some people may be inclined to accept CVS as a side effect of living in the 21st century, there are ways to prevent CVS. • Take frequent breaks. The AOA recommend that people alleviate digital eye strain by following the 2020-20 rule. This rule advises taking 20 second breaks to stare at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.

• Reposition your computer screen.

The AOA notes that the optimal location for computer screens is between 15 and 20 degrees below eye level, or about four to five inches, as measured from the center of the screen. In addition, position the screen so it is between 20 and 28 inches from your eyes.

• Avoid glare. Computer screens also should be positioned to avoid glare from lighting and windows. Draw blinds or drapes if sun is shining in

on the screen, and opt for low wattage light bulbs in desk lamps.

• Blink more. Make a concerted effort to blink more throughout the day so your eyes remain as moist as possible.

The average time people spend staring at screens continues to rise, making CVS a legitimate concern for adults and children alike. Learn more about CVS and how to prevent it at www.aoa.org. ■

HEALTHYliving

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MEDICAL AND HEALTH DIRECTORY

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