Computer ailments from screen eyes to rsi

Take time every now and then to relax your eyes

Alex Wit

Day in, day out, for hours on end at the computer or on the smartphone: our body is not built to repeat small movements in the same position. The result can be a whole range of computer ailments. They are injuries that start with some minor discomfort. But if you don’t intervene in time, the physical consequences can be serious and permanent. Therefore, this overview with common computer ailments, the causes, symptoms and solutions.

DISPLAY POWER
Symptoms: tired and dry eyes, blurred vision.
Cause: Looking closely at a screen for too long.
Description: most people sometimes complain about tired eyes after a day of intense staring at a screen. Usually this fatigue subsides after sufficient rest. But if you repeat this pattern day in and day out, your eye muscles can no longer relax. The result is, among other things, blurred vision when you look into the distance. Another complaint with screen eyes is the feeling that there is sand in your eye. This is a symptom of dry eyes. This can be caused by too dry air in the room, but also because you don’t blink enough. This often makes your vision blurry, because the natural membrane on your eyes is missing.
Solution: Taking regular breaks is a good way to avoid screen eyes. You help your eye muscles to relax sufficiently by regularly looking into the distance while using the computer, preferably outwards (infinite position). Closing your eyes every now and then also helps. Breaking free from the continuous staring also causes you to blink more. If you nevertheless suffer from dry eyes, you can buy a bottle of artificial tears at the drugstore and pharmacy, such as from Systane or Hylo Comod. With this you moisten and protect your eyes in a safe way. Air in the room that is too dry can be remedied with an electric humidifier.

MOUSE ARM
Symptoms: stiff and painful wrist.
Cause: Working with your wrist in the wrong position for too long.
Description: When working with a PC or laptop, your wrists have to endure a lot. Especially the repeated small movements with the mouse slowly but surely affect the muscles, tendons and the joint in your wrist. Typing a lot and often on your keyboard also causes damage. A mouse arm starts with minor complaints such as numbness, stiffness or cramping. If you load in the same way for too long, you will increasingly suffer from pain, stiffness and loss of strength.

	A wrist rest relieves your wrists

Solution: in addition to taking breaks in time to rest (see box ‘Ergonomic apps’), it is also important that your wrist remains as relaxed as possible while using the computer.
There are several tools for countering a mouse arm. A good wrist rest for your mouse and especially your keyboard is recommended. Soft but sturdy is the motto, plus a shape that fits well with the shape of your keyboard.
Not everyone likes a wrist rest with the mouse. More important is the shape and size of your mouse. If you use a mouse that is too small or too large for your hand, your wrist and hand muscles will be constantly tensed.

A horizontal ergonomic mouse adapted to the shape of your hand		A vertical mouse turns your wrist a quarter turn for more relaxation

The best remedy for a mouse arm is an ergonomic mouse. You can choose from a horizontal or vertical variant. Horizontal ergonomic mice fit under your hand just like regular mice, but have a modified shape. Vertical mice move back and forth just like horizontal mice, but are a lot higher. Your wrist is turned a quarter turn, which often gives more relaxation. Some people benefit from a stationary mouse, where you control the mouse pointer on your screen with a trackball: a ball in a holder that you can roll in all directions.

An ergonomic keyboard is adapted to the position of your hands

Ergonomic keyboards, with the keys turned slightly for both hands, can help if you type a lot. But some people actually experience more complaints because of that design. If you work a lot on a laptop, use a separate keyboard and mouse.
Whatever choice you make for a keyboard and mouse: always try them out in practice first to see if they feel right for you.

Less chance of app thumbs with a Smartphone holder

APP THUMBS
Symptoms: sore, stiff or numb thumbs.
Cause: Too much and long operation of the touchscreen (touch screen) of a smartphone.
Description: Most computer ailments occur when working with a PC or laptop, but app thumbs are associated with smartphones, some game consoles, and sometimes tablets. These are the devices where you make repeated and muscle-stressing movements with your thumbs. App thumbs derive their name from sending (too many) apps. This injury used to be called texting thumbs.
Solution: use your other fingers for the touchscreen in addition to your thumbs. Swiping to type texts helps to reduce the pressure on your fingers. With swiping you slide from key to key and in principle you can do that with all your fingers. A good way to relieve all your fingers is to use speech-to-text (see box ‘Typing and operating with speech recognition’).
Constantly holding your smartphone or tablet in your hands also strains your muscles. You can catch that with a smartphone or tablet holder. When purchasing, make sure that you choose a type that fits your brand and type of smartphone or tablet.

		Typing and Controlling with Speech Recognition
		Do you type a lot of texts or messages? With the help Do you type a lot of texts or messages? With the help of speech recognition software, you can prevent computer injuries. For the PC, Dragon (nuance.com) offers very comprehensive speech-to-text software. Unfortunately, Dragon focuses mainly on the business market, so you will lose about 700 euros. A free alternative is the simple, yet functional Google speech-to-text, which is available in the word processor Google Docs, among other things, via Tools and then Voice Typing. On your smartphone, you will mainly use speech-to-text to avoid app thumbs. WhatsApp, for example, has a voice option that you activate by tapping the microphone icon.

RSI
Symptoms: tingling, painful, stiff joints and muscles in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands.
Cause: wrong posture and/or making the same small movements over and over.
Description: RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) is a collective name for various muscle, tendon and joint complaints that mainly occur when working on the computer and mobile. RSI is still popularly used, but doctors and physiotherapists today use the term CANS (Complaints of the Arms, Neck and Shoulder).

RSI complaints develop insidiously. It often starts with stiffness or a tired feeling and then slowly but surely progresses to pain. Sometimes the cause of the complaints is in a different place than where you feel them. For example, a sore neck because your back is not straight.
Solution: taking a break in time and doing something else – not behind the computer or on the mobile – is always a good idea (see box ‘Ergonomic apps’). Becoming aware of your posture is also very important. Pay particular attention to how tense certain parts of the body are when sitting at your computer or using your mobile phone (see box ‘The best sitting position’).