Source: ninthfact.wordpress.com
With the revolution of technological gadgets that are currently made widely available within our grasp, there comes with it the association of medical disorders that were never heard before prior to this. Fellow gadget users have been revolutionized through the ever-evolving changes of such thingamajigs ranging from the huge sized desktop to portable laptops before converging into nanotechnology that gives rise to the ever-potential iGadgets. Almost everyone nowadays have an iPhone, an iPad or an iPod to begin with as well as their fellow Android counterparts. Such touch screen technologies are quite a pain not to have in associating with the rapidity of technological information made available in the World Wide Web. To keep abreast with such extensive and elaborate details, one needs to have something handy where they can reach forth to find a critical answer to a confounding question within seconds. Technology has allowed us to do just that. Amazing isn’t it?
But…
Ever heard of a term called iPaditis? It applies therein not to the usage only of iPad but can be extended to involve all those nerve-wracking sensations that one feel which comes with the prolonged usage of such gadgets. The informal web search of such terminology would yield a definition from the Urban Dictionary that mentions the pathology as ‘a sensation of numbness or pain on the top side of one’s upper arm due to exertion of the tendons while holding up the iPad for work purposes’. Though we know from personal encounters and experiences that such a thing can happen, although scientifically there hasn’t been any approach towards such classification of pathology, the problem and the pain that follows it is real. Which could explain the reason behind the invention of iPad Mini (smaller, easier to hold and less of a burden to carry about) alongside ergonomically designed iPad holders that relieve the users from having to clench their fists and brace their wrists at odd angles. Rationally, the weight of the gadget, despite being promoted to be under a few kilograms would be an unbearable one with prolonged usage. E-book readers and fellow gamers would commiserate with such experiences and even the author himself had such personal encounters when subjected to long periods of the above mentioned occasion.
The other pathology that has been described as iPad hand (which in my own accord and opinion could be grouped under iPaditis due to their similarity of presentation) is the description of burning, tingling and sharp-like sensation one feels at the tips of their fingers used to swipe, tap and scroll the screen for long hours on their gadgets. Though again, there hasn’t been any close study to correlate such symptoms together, doctors should consider this as a possibility what with the ever-increment of technological savvy individuals in our living age and era. A question posed to the patient that quite commonly covers all aspect of peripheral neuropathy (where the periphery of the fingers and toes yield symptoms of numbness and weakness) should also include the usage of touch-screen gadgets at prolonged hours alongside diabetes mellitus, lead poisoning or other neurological disorders.
Treating physicians should particularly be aware of this very fact and one could quite easily remember how many swipes are needed in Fruit Ninja and Angry Bird, the huge amount of repetitive taps on Flappy Bird and as well as the amount of scrolls required of a fanatic E-book reader. Imagine tapping and swiping in an exciting game that requires continuous and persistent action, one would logically tap harder or swipe faster in the hopes of reaching the next level and accruing more bonus points just to beat the next dude on Game Center. Dissatisfaction and failure would throw the user to giving the game another shot, and then another and another, establishing the common patois we use as the vicious cycle. The repetitive trauma would then ‘eat’ away the tips of your finger, blunt the sensation and because the gadget registers heat signature from your finger pads to follow instructions, it would more or less in a morbid way of saying burn away the microscopic function of your nerves. Symptoms of the tingling and burning sensation has been described to last for more than a week despite taking a rest off the touch screen devices and it takes a long time to heal leaving the user in complete misery. Attempts made to use the iPad with the affected finger would just yield more pain. Unfortunately, treatment is non-specific, but merely supportive. The main thing being is to avoid usage of your gadgets until your symptoms resolve. I have patients who describe pain over at their finger joints too, which is technically called the distal interphalangeal joints used to aid in the flexing of the ends of their fingers to tap on the iGadget.
Couple the iPaditis symptoms with the accompanying neck and shoulder stiffness and pain one would also feel from adopting a single posture staring at their devices, it becomes crystal clear that such musculoskeletal grouses need to be addressed and redressed. The basics need to be reevaluated. Ergonomically designed gadgets complementing your devices may eliminate some of the symptoms but should the users fail to adhere to simple rules of keeping one’s body well tuned, none of anything you do would succeed in giving your body a much needed rest.
No heat signature gloves or stylus can replace the human finger in the usage of the gadgets. It will never be as accurate as you would want it to be nor would it be hasty enough to beat that monster off the face of your gamer’s earth. No… thus, the options are fairly limited. We cannot prevent what is coming our way. Such advancement of technological gadgets is a welcome sight as it aids in improving our lives in a much more convenient way. But there’s always the need of keeping up the balance and not with the Joneses for the benefit of a healthy wellbeing. Avert usage of your gadgets for long periods of time, but if you find that your are unable to do just that, then stop in midway every few hours to get up and stretch, rest your eyes and do some neck and relaxation exercises.
Always remember, balance is the key. Open your eyes and look at the world out there for there are many more exciting things you would not want to miss by focusing purely on your ‘interactive’ devices.
Dr. Chiam Keng Hoong is a internal medicine physician and a MRCP holder. He currently works in Sabah.
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Medical Gazette.
[This article belongs to The Malaysian Medical Gazette. Any republication (online or offline) without written permission from The Malaysian Medical Gazette is prohibited.]