Getting rid of the plug and swapping landlines for cell phones, representatives of the Generation Digital will soon feel that they paid for the mobility with their own health. As the growing industry of mobile devices develops, the list of diseases that are typical for members of the "digital" generation is growing.
This is openly discussed by a Nobel laureate Dr. Devra Davis in her book titled "The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family."
A well-known toxicologist says that the harm caused to the health by high-frequency radiation from mobile phones is still considered unproven only because of counter-productive efforts of manufacturers of mobile devices that choose to conceal and manipulate the facts in order to protect their business estimated at $3 trillion but not 4.6 billion potential users.
In particular, scientific experiments have clearly shown that only after two hours of exposure of laboratory rats to a "mobile" range, the DNA of brain cells of the animals changes, and the modified cells become identical to tumor cells. In humans changes caused by mobile phone radiation are not that dramatic, but it makes you think. For example, children who regularly use a mobile phone do not have visible changes of the brain, but suffer from memory loss and decreased learning ability.
The professor notes that manufacturers of smartphones indirectly recognize the harm that can be done by a cell phone, but put it in fine print on the very bottom of the operating manual.
In particular, the manufacturer of the latest model of BlackBerry (the Torch) does not recommend bringing it to the body closer than 2.5 cm This applies in the first place to the abdomen of pregnant women and groin of adolescents. Apple recommends that iPhone users do not hold the device closer than 1.5 cm from the surface of the body
The radiation from mobile phones is not the only curse of the "digital" age.
As the industry of mobile devices grows, a list of diseases typical for members of the "digital" generation is beginning to form. Depending on the specifics of the device various organs and body parts are targeted.
Staring at a computer monitor for hours, you may be compromising your vision. A scientific study showed that at least 20% of people who regularly use a computer often have headaches and a half of them have eye issues, and 25% cannot focus their eyes on one point. Regular breaks at work can help prevent it.
Since mobile players like iPod entered the market, the number of people with hearing issues has been growing. Young people increase the volume of the headphones to the maximum, which adversely affects both the hearing of the music fans, and the occasional fellow travelers on public transport.
The fans of decibels must be reminded that any noise above 85 decibels leads to irreversible hearing damage. An alarming symptom is ringing in the ears after listening to music.
Dermatologists increasingly note the appearance of symptoms in humans known as "mobile dermatitis," which manifests as an allergic reaction to nickel-plated surface of a mobile phone. It is believed that women are most susceptible to this disease as they have more frequent contact with nickel-plated jewelry.
Gamers prefer virtual reality to the real one because they cannot always boast good shape and good health.
In the case of the Nintendo Wii game console the users are forced to simulate the movement of athletes when playing golf, tennis, or boxing. They complain of pains in the shoulders and elbows caused by electronic gymnastics. Doctors advise to do warm up exercises before a play session to stretch muscles and joints.
A computer mouse is guilty of frequent pain in the wrist of office workers who spend long hours at the computer.
Excessive text messaging often causes users of mobile phones numbness of fingers.
Passion for computer games and watching TV does not contribute to a good posture. Avid gamers have every chance to develop spine issues. In addition, due to prolonged stay in one position, degeneration of the abdominal muscles and back can be observed. Constant tension of the neck muscles may permanently damage them.
The regular use of a laptop on your lap may cause skin burns. Burns and changes in skin pigmentation are not the biggest payoff for compactness and portability of the computer. Doctors point out that frequent use of a laptop on one's lap may reduces the ability of men to conceive.
Kirill Matveev
Medpulse