Transcript Digital Health and Wellness

Get Fit Digitally
Exploring
Digital Health and Wellness
N’jemele Bush
CIED 7601
Summer 2008
Digital Health and Wellness
This Presentation Discusses:
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Use of Ergonomics in the Digital Environment
Examples of Computer Related Disorders (CRD)
Causes of These Disorders
Signs of An Existing Disorder
Strategies to Prevent CRD
Treatment Measures of CRD
What is Digital Health and
Wellness?
• Element of Digital Citizenship
• Defined as
The elements of physical and psychological well-being
related to digital technology use
(Ribble and Bailey, 31)
Quiz of the Day
Student Self Assessment
• Has your head ever hurt after, while, or during your work
on a computer?
• Do you ever have back pain or strain in lower spine when
working at your desk?
• Have you ever had pain in your wrists, joints or legs once
leaving the computer workspace?
• Have you found yourself sitting endlessly on the Internet
and showing no progress?
If any of your answers to these questions are yes, you may be
suffering from a Computer Related Disorder
Computer-Related Disorders
Computer Related
Disorders
• Computer Related Disorders are health conditions
developed from repetitive use of a computer.
• Each is formed due to body positioning and/or
habitual behavior.
• These disorders can be prevented, however if you
attain them, each is treatable as well as possibly
reversible.
Statistical Importance of Computer
Related Disorders
According to the Better Health Channel website:
Over 25% of all computer users worldwide suffer with at
least one CRD with or without treatment.
The US spends over 2 billion dollars a year for not
treating a CRD. This money is spent by independent
users in purchases of over the counter medication and/or
purchasing equipment for comfort at home and work.
It is important to recognize the signs now as well as treat
CRDs at their present stage as they can and will get
worse.
Causes of Computer Related
Disorders
• Poor position of monitor, keyboard, and/or
mouse
• Inadequate lighting
• Typing or keying too long without a break
• Poor posture
• Cradling phone between head and shoulder
while working in your workstation
Effects of Computer Related Disorders
There are primarily two effects of
Computer Related Disorders
 Physical Effect
 It can effect your physical abilities of your
nervous and skeletal system
 Mental/Psychological Effect
 It can effect how you act and react mentally.
Types of Computer Related
Disorders
Example of Physical CRDs
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Extensor Tendonitis
Repetitive Strain Syndrome
Neck and Back Strain
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Computer Vision Syndrome
Electromagnetic Radiation
Eye and vision problems
Ganglion Cysts
Bursitis
Examples of Mental CRDs
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Depression
Computer/Internet Addiction
http://www.healthycomputing.com/health/conditions/index.html
Most Common
Computer Related Disorder
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median
nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand,
becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The
median nerve controls sensations to the palm side
of the thumb and fingers (although not the little
finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles
in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to
move
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke)
Diagram of Formation of
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
During carpal tunnel release, the transverse carpal tunnel ligament is severed to relieve pressure on
the median nerve. The surgery may be done by making one incision on the palm side of the wrist, or by
making several small incisions. (Mayo Clinic Website)
Symptoms of Computer
Related Disorder
• Stiffness and Pain in the joints or muscles
throughout the body
• Fatigue
• Weakness and numbness of the hands, fingers
and various body parts
• Lack of circulation to the muscles, bones,
tendons and ligaments
• Neck pain and frequent 'cracking' of the neck
Symptoms of Computer
Related Disorder (contd.)
• Difficulty using hands for normal activities such
us opening doors, chopping vegetables, or
spraying using squirt pump handles.
• Tingling, numbness, burning sensation, loss of
sensation, clumsiness, or stiffness in the fingers
and/or palms of the hands.
• Cold hands and/or fingertips.
• Difficulty feeling hot and cold.
Prevention and
Treatment Techniques
Digital Health and Wellness
Good News!
• Now that you have been fully educated on the signs and
causes of these disorders, we will work on improving these
conditions.
• There are methods to preventing these disorders as well
as how to treat them.
Ergonomics
What is Ergonomics?
• Webster defines Ergonomics as
an applied science concerned with
designing and arranging things people
use so that the people and things
interact most efficiently and safely
• It is known as the science of “making
things comfy”
Using Ergonomics as a
Solution
• Ergonomics is commonly used to reduce
musculoskeletal injuries.
• It does this by reducing physical and mental stress
caused by the workstation setup
• In order to use Ergonomics, it is important to
evaluate the work process. This includes job
organization, worker rotation, task variety,
demands for speed and quality, and the social
aspects of work structure and supervision.
• This process must be completed before ergonomics
can be implemented
Diagram of Your Ideal Workspace
http://www.openerg.com/dse/ideal.html
Tips to Preventing CRI and Creating
Ergonomics in the Workplace
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Sit in a relaxed or slight slouch position
Hands should be upright on the keyboard
Feet should be flat on the floor
Mouse and Keyboard should be adjacent to one another
Position your monitor as far away as possible
Use an adjustable lamp light
If there is a window in the room, open the blinds and allow
sunlight in.
Take a break every 15 minutes
While typing continuously, rest (or pause) every 30 seconds
Let’s View a Video about
Creating Ergonomics in the
Workplace
Prevention Methods/Solutions
• Build an Ergonomically Sound Workstation
• Practice Yoga at Your Desk
• See Orthopedic Surgeons or Physical
Therapists if you feel or show symptoms of a
computer related disorder
• Reduce your force and relax your grip when
writing or typing
Treatment Measures
• Non Surgical Treatment
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Modification of how you use your hands and feet as well as repositioning
yourself when using a computer
Wrist splints
Medication
Shoulder relaxation methods
Surgical Treatment
Heat/Massage
Chiropractic manipulation
Osteopathic manipulation
Water therapy (hydrotherapy)
Interaction Activity
Ergonomic Self Assessment
http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/enUS/default.aspx
Choose Your Height on This Website. It will give you the
necessary height and weight dimensions of each
section.
http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/390/language/enUS/default.aspx
Here you will complete an assessment of your personal
workspace.
Let’s Review
• What does CRD mean?
• How can you prevent a CRD?
• How can ergonomics improve your
workspace?
• List three changes that you plan to make to
your own workspace to improve yourself
digitally.
RESOURCES
• http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcArticles.ns
f/pages/Computer_related_injuries?OpenDocument
• http://www.ergonomictimes.com/carpal_tunnel_syndrom
e_symptom.php
• http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail
_carpal_tunnel.htm#115103049
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carpal-tunnelsyndrome/DS00326
• www.healthycomputing.com
Helpful Links to Being
Ergonomically Sound
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http://www.openerg.com/dse/ideal.html
http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/enUS/default.aspx
http://www.ehow.com/how_4733_set-work-space.html
http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/healthycomputing/vdt4.ht
ml
http://www.msmoney.com/mm/career/finding_balance
/ergonomics.htm
http://www.office-ergo.com/
http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/forward_bend.html
Which Are You?
• People who change their lifestyles, have an
ergonomic work station and posture have
relatively symptom - free working and better
work performance.
• However people who do not make the
necessary changes have moderate to severe
discomfort and have to fall back on medication
and/or physical therapy for relief.
Any Questions?
N’jemele Bush
BCS Instructor
[email protected]
404-271-0325