10 Health Problems Caused by Technology 

Technology has become an inseparable part of our lives and a necessity in almost every field of work, including supporting the healthcare system and its functions. Technological changes and advancements enable greater patient and provider connectivity through patient portals, making it easier to transmit patient information and facilitate analytics tools and administrative tasks. 

While technology has made our lives easier in some ways and can significantly improve patient care, it can also have negative effects on our health, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer.

By taking time to understand how technology can affect your health, you can better prepare yourself to reduce its potential impact on your well-being and long-term health.  

How Has Technology Impacted Our Health?

If you spend extended time in front of the computer, you could be at an increased risk of developing certain health problems, including the following: 

1. Musculoskeletal Problems

Musculoskeletal issues involve pain in areas of your body such as your back, neck and shoulders. These troubles may occur because of poor posture when using the computer. One study found that 32% of information technology professionals reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain since entering their profession. A workstation or home office that isn’t ergonomically correct can result in severe pain. 

To prevent these types of pain, find a correct height for both your desk and chair that puts your computer screen at or slightly lower than eye level. Sit with your back straight and your legs at 90-degree angles to the floor. Add a back pillow or footrest for additional support. It may also help to use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

2. Vision Problems

Computers produce bright lights, glare and flickering images that can cause eye strain. Those who use computers report a high prevalence of computer vision syndrome, also called digital eye strain. 

Consider adjusting the brightness on your computer screen so that your eyes are not as strained and maintain a proper distance from the screen.

3. Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries are injuries to muscles and tendons due to repetitive motions. Repetitive stress injuries are common in the hands, wrists and forearms because of computer and keyboard use. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common repetitive stress injury. 

To prevent repetitive stress injuries, keep your wrists flexible while typing and frequently move your arms, hands, and wrists. Relax your arms and try to stretch when you are not typing or using your mouse.

4. Headaches

Headaches are common and may occur because of increased muscle tension while working at a computer. Try your best to keep your neck straight in front of the computer and take frequent breaks to get up and move around.

5. Obesity

Prolonged use of technology throughout the day may lead to a sedentary lifestyle lacking adequate physical activity. Obesity is a costly and serious chronic disease that can lead to death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults move more and sit less. Combat the time you spend sitting at work by taking frequent breaks to move around. 

6. Stress Disorders

Using technology more frequently may negatively impact mental health and increase stress. One study found that adults who reduced their screen time reported significantly higher moods and levels of well-being. Try methods of coping with stress, including yoga, hobbies and limiting screen time. 

7. Laptop Use Injuries

People choose to use laptops over desktops frequently due to their convenience. Laptops are not ergonomically correct, however, because the screen and keyboard are very close together. If you can, use a desktop computer that is ergonomically correct as frequently as possible. 

8. Sleeping Problems

A computer or cell phone’s artificial light can trick your brain and suppress the release of melatonin, the substance that assists your sleeping patterns. If you struggle with not feeling sleepy at night, refrain from using a computer right before going to bed.

9. Hearing Loss from Headphones

Listening to audio with headphones at a high volume while you work can result in hearing impairment. Keep your headphone volume at about 60% of the maximum volume to block out background noise but keep the volume tolerable.

10. Increased Risk of Blood Clots

Sitting without stretching your legs for long periods of time can cause your blood to pool in your legs and feet. This situation creates blood clots, which can be life-threatening if they travel to another part of the body, such as your heart or lungs. 

Take many breaks throughout the day and stretch your legs to get the blood flowing. Getting up from your desk often can decrease the chance of blood pooling in your extremities. If you do have to sit for an extended period, bend and move your extremities at regular intervals, even while sitting.

MicroHealth and Healthcare Information Technology

While technology poses a few risks to our health, it is also a powerful tool for delivering healthcare solutions in the industry. Healthcare information technology (HIT) has become increasingly widespread in the healthcare environment. Organizations and facilities use HIT for several tasks, including information sharing, decision-making, patient monitoring and care coordination. HIT facilitates improved quality of care, reduces costs, and enhances data accuracy, visibility and security.

At MicroHealth, we understand how crucial HIT is for healthcare organizations, which is why we provide a range of HIT solutions that help government organizations improve patient care. Our consulting and solutions-building expertise extends to areas such as:

• Software development and integration 
• IT support
• Electronic health records 
• Telehealth support
• Health informatics services and support 
• Data analytics
• Medical simulations
• Cloud development and management
• Independent verification and validation and testing

MicroHealth uses innovative technology, clinician-level insight into the healthcare industry and a white-glove approach to develop technology solutions that fit your needs and serve your patients. Our services start with a robust needs assessment of your current systems and goals. We then design solutions ranging from connecting legacy systems to building software solutions from the ground up. 

Choose MicroHealth for Healthcare IT Solutions

Despite the risks of using technology too frequently, it also provides several benefits, like connecting patients and providers and providing healthcare facilities and organizations with agile solutions. Moderate your technology use, especially after work, and you’ll be on your way to greatly reducing any negative effects of technology on your health.

At MicroHealth, we prioritize providing your patients with the best care possible and modernizing the way your organization does HIT. Along with a staff of HIT experts and clinicians who help us put patient care first, we have rigorous certifications and experience across local and federal governments that allow us to provide dependable service to organizations with strict requirements. Contact us to learn more about MicroHealth and our approach to HIT. 

MicroHealth is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) (CVE-Verified) and an SBA Certified 8(a) small business with over 260 employees nationwide. 

Using technology more frequently may negatively impact mental health and increase stress. One study found that adults who reduced their screen time reported significantly higher moods and levels of well-being. Try methods of coping with stress, including yoga, hobbies and limiting screen time. 

7. Laptop Use Injuries

People choose to use laptops over desktops frequently due to their convenience. Laptops are not ergonomically correct, however, because the screen and keyboard are very close together. If you can, use a desktop computer that is ergonomically correct as frequently as possible. 

8. Sleeping Problems

A computer or cell phone’s artificial light can trick your brain and suppress the release of melatonin, the substance that assists your sleeping patterns. If you struggle with not feeling sleepy at night, refrain from using a computer right before going to bed.

9. Hearing Loss from Headphones

Listening to audio with headphones at a high volume while you work can result in hearing impairment. Keep your headphone volume at about 60% of the maximum volume to block out background noise but keep the volume tolerable.

10. Increased Risk of Blood Clots

Sitting without stretching your legs for long periods of time can cause your blood to pool in your legs and feet. This situation creates blood clots, which can be life-threatening if they travel to another part of the body, such as your heart or lungs. 

Take many breaks throughout the day and stretch your legs to get the blood flowing. Getting up from your desk often can decrease the chance of blood pooling in your extremities. If you do have to sit for an extended period, bend and move your extremities at regular intervals, even while sitting.

MicroHealth and Healthcare Information Technology

While technology poses a few risks to our health, it is also a powerful tool for delivering healthcare solutions in the industry. Healthcare information technology (HIT) has become increasingly widespread in the healthcare environment. Organizations and facilities use HIT for several tasks, including information sharing, decision-making, patient monitoring and care coordination. HIT facilitates improved quality of care, reduces costs, and enhances data accuracy, visibility and security.

At MicroHealth, we understand how crucial HIT is for healthcare organizations, which is why we provide a range of HIT solutions that help government organizations improve patient care. Our consulting and solutions-building expertise extends to areas such as:

• Software development and integration 
• IT support
• Electronic health records 
• Telehealth support
• Health informatics services and support 
• Data analytics
• Medical simulations
• Cloud development and management
• Independent verification and validation and testing

MicroHealth uses innovative technology, clinician-level insight into the healthcare industry and a white-glove approach to develop technology solutions that fit your needs and serve your patients. Our services start with a robust needs assessment of your current systems and goals. We then design solutions ranging from connecting legacy systems to building software solutions from the ground up. 

Choose MicroHealth for Healthcare IT Solutions

Despite the risks of using technology too frequently, it also provides several benefits, like connecting patients and providers and providing healthcare facilities and organizations with agile solutions. Moderate your technology use, especially after work, and you’ll be on your way to greatly reducing any negative effects of technology on your health.

At MicroHealth, we prioritize providing your patients with the best care possible and modernizing the way your organization does HIT. Along with a staff of HIT experts and clinicians who help us put patient care first, we have rigorous certifications and experience across local and federal governments that allow us to provide dependable service to organizations with strict requirements. Contact us to learn more about MicroHealth and our approach to HIT. 

MicroHealth is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) (CVE-Verified) and an SBA Certified 8(a) small business with over 260 employees nationwide.