Social Media Explosion: Are We Hurting or Helping Ourselves?

It’s no surprise that the use of social media is exploding in our country. Every teen and young adult seems to have their head focused on their phone, checking out their Facebook page, Tweeting, posting on Instagram, and so on. We want to stay connected with the news, loved ones, and life happenings in general.

What may be more surprising is the significant growth of social media users over the age of 65. A Pew Research Center 2013-2014 survey found that Facebook is the biggest winner of the social media assemblage with 56% of seniors ages 65+ “Facebooking” today.

Key notes from the survey found that multi-platform use (using two or more social media sites) experienced an increase of adult users from 42% in 2013 to 52% in 2014. For the youth, ages 18-29, Instagram saw a significant increase is users whereas roughly half of that population now uses the site. Many of these individuals – youth and older adults alike – are finding the smart phone apps so convenient that this is likely a main cause of the exponential increase in social medial use.

Along with the user growth with cell phones social media apps comes a significant reduction in health. These health issues are not what you would expect. Earlier reports of cell phone use reported the exposure to radiofrequency fields that are emitted when the phone is actually used close to your body (i.e. using it as an actual phone). These health issues revolve around the physical dangers of simply using the phone for play.

Responding to Facebook posts, texting, or posting Instagram photos actually creates spinal misalignment. Looking down at the phone puts extra pressure on the spine, according to a study published in the Surgical Technology International journal. For example, tilting your head downward even by 15 degrees exerts almost 30 pounds of pressure on the spine.  Most people lean much further when on their phone apps, perhaps even up to 60 degrees, which exerts 60 pounds onto the spine. In its neutral position, the head and neck only exert 10-12 pounds of pressure onto the spine.

Thus, when people walk around face down into their phones, they might as well be dragging a 60-pound weight around their necks.

A second overuse of cell phone apps injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, or what has now been coined “cellphone elbow.” Overusing the tendons in the arms and fingers can cause inflammation, pain and numbness.

A third health concern is eye damage. Most people understand this is a significant issue from TV screens or computer screens, but cell phone screens? Oh yes. Several studies over the years have found that blue light from personal electronic devices have been linked to macular degeneration, cataracts and higher cancer risk. In addition, looking at your lighted phone in a dark room can be harmful to the eyes, causing overall vision damage.

Another issue in the increase use of social media by adults is they are endangering the lives of their children and grandchildren. According to a graduate student from Yale University, who is developing a paper on the topic, parents are busy posting, tweeting, pinning, and doing other social media activities that children they are watching are getting injured. He found that when AT&T rolled out their new 3G network several years ago, injuries to children more than doubled at the local hospitals. Apparently, the children were not closely supervised by their guardians and were getting injured.

It’s important to stay connected, and if social media is convenient, go for it. The key is to keep it to a minimum. Adopt the same attitude as you would foods: “all in moderation.” Keep your health, put the phone down now and then!



Works used for this article:

Dallas, K. (2014). 4 unexpected health risks of smartphone use. Retrieved from http://national.deseretnews.com/article/2841/4-unexpected-health-risks-of-smartphone-use.html

Duggan, M., Ellison, N. B., Lampe, C., Lenhart, A., and Madden, M. (2015). Social media update 2014. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/01/09/social-media-update-2014/

Hansraj, K. K. (n.d.) Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by poster and position of the head. Surgical Technology International, XXV. Available online at https://cbsminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/spine-study.pdf

Kohli, S. (2014). Are parents on iPhones endangering their kids? Retrieved from http://qz.com/#295483/are-parents-on-iphones-endangering-their-kids/

World Health Organization. (2013). What are the health risks associated with mobile phones and their base stations? Retrieved from http://www.who.int/features/qa/30/en/

 

 

 

Don't Pet the Armadillos!

Here’s a new thought: Leprosy returns to the United States.

A recent leprosy outbreak in Florida has people scratching their heads a bit. Most people hear about leprosy (also known as Hansen’s Disease) when they read the Bible. You don’t really think about it as a significant disease of today, but guess again.

In Florida, nine cases of leprosy have been reported so far this year. According to the Florida Department of Health, the culprit is actually the armadillo. Floridians view the armadillo much like Pennsylvanians view the possum: a nuisance rodent. Most Pennsylvanians wouldn’t consider approaching the possum for a quick “pat on the head” but some people in Florida do just that with their armadillo residents. They reach out, pet the animals, and go about their way.

Unfortunately, that touch could potentially transfer leprosy from the armadillo to the unsuspecting human. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, armadillos are natural carriers of leprosy (Who knew?). The good news is that the risk is low. Adolescents and those older than age 30 are at greatest risk, but only if they physically touch the armadillo.

Hansen’s disease is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the skin, nerves and mucous membranes. Some of the symptoms include skin lesions, thickening of the skin, numbness, pain, and potential blindness. Unlike in Biblical times, leprosy is now treatable. The treatment includes between 6 months to two years of antibiotics, so the disease is a tough one to kick.

Of interest, leprosy has affected close to two million people worldwide, especially in high infection countries such as Brazil, Angola, India, Nepal and Tanzania. The disease can spread from person to person if the infected individual is not being treated.

In Pennsylvania, the biggest risk of petting the ubiquitous possum is rabies. Like leprosy, rabies is not a walk in the park either. Early symptoms include weakness, fever or headache. Later symptoms include cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. Progressive symptoms could also involve delirium, hallucinations and insomnia. Death is imminent once clinical signs are rabies appear. Early treatment includes a tetanus shot, if you have not had a rabies vaccine within the past ten years. For those who have never been vaccinated, vaccination is given. The best protection against rabies is getting vaccinated and keeping the vaccine current.

That’s the key difference between leprosy and rabies: rabies has a prevention vaccine while leprosy does not.

The point here: if you live in Pennsylvania, get a rabies vaccine. If you vacation in Florida, don’t pet the armadillos.

Works used for this article

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Leprosy. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/exposure/armadillos.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Rabies. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/index.html

Miller, K. (2015). Florida is facing a leprosy outbreak. You’ll never guess what may be the cute culprit. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/health/florida-is-facing-a-leprosy-outbreak-youll-never-124760030587.html