The Blackberry (BB) Syndrome

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Special Report: BB Syndrome Part 1

BlackBerry (BB) and other smart mobile devices at present have been playing roles in modern lifestyles with their main pros of 24/7 online communication. However, they also come with some other disadvantages alike. Part one of this special report will focus on physical impact of “BB syndrome”, especially the major concern of ‘trigger finger’ from overuses of BB.

According to Lerdsin Hospital Assistant Director MD Vichai Vijitpornkul, excessive use of BB might not be a major cause of trigger finger but it is still considered as one of the risk factors if one has been using BB for many years. Nowadays, there is no specific evidence to conclude that BB can directly cause trigger finger because it has just been popular recently, especially among teenagers.

Trigger finger is a disorder of locking fingers, making patients unable to move or stretch their one or more fingers normally. Major causes are repetitive uses of hands in certain actions such as using screwdriver, twisting clothes, carrying heavy items in plastic bags, and many other household tasks. Women are found to suffer from the syndrome more than men do. Trigger finger is curable, and its therapy ranges from soaking in warm water, injecting steroid, to undergoing operation.

However, the word “BB syndrome” is not an official medical term, but a newly coined word upon trendy uses of BB and other smart mobile devices requiring repetitive uses of thumbs to press keyboard and chat. The syndrome is also called “BB thumb”.

Meanwhile, Medical Service Department Director-General MD Rewat Wisarutwet warned BB users of vision and eyesight problems associated with overuses of the smart phone, similar to the computer vision syndrome. Continuously staring at BB small screen requires users to focus their eyes, which might cause blurred vision, dry eyes, and even greater shortsightedness, notably among children.

In conclusion, it is indeed not recommended to use BB and smart mobile devices excessively for the sake of healthier hands and eyes although it is fun and enjoyable to keep one connected with others via the cyber world.

Catch up with the second part on negative effects of BB syndrome on mental health very soon.

-- NNT 2010-09-27

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Special Report: BB Syndrome Part 2

Excessive use of BlackBerry (BB) and other mobile communicative devices can cause physical health impact as earlier discussed in the first part of this special report. Although the “BB syndrome” is well-known for trigger finger, it can also refer to related mental health problems, especially BB addiction, which is widely spreading and can be observed from some BB users.

As warned by Mental Health Department Deputy Director-General MD Wachira Pengchan, overusing BB might lead to addiction. Similar to game-addicted children, people suffering from BB syndrome will have a thirst for the use of the smart mobile device every day, and will be grumpy when they cannot get their hands on one. Their school or work will strongly be affected owing to their poorer ability to concentrate on what they are supposed to do. Some BB users also have had their communication skills degraded.

According to MD Sukamol Wiphawipholkul from Phaya Thai 2 Hospital, BB users who tend to use BB all the time or once in every five minutes can become addicted to the smart phone. The patients tend to be oblivious to things around them very easily, while they focus their whole attention on chatting on BB. They will also fail to concentrate, bump into others very often, or, in more severe cases, have accidents.

In addition, some BB users rely on the mobile device to upload pictures and complain about things in their lives via online social networks all the time. Although it is good for stress reduction, their actual face-to-face communicative skill and relationship problem might be affected because they resort to communicating through the cyber channel excessively.

Meanwhile, Basic Education Commission Office Secretary-General Chinnapat Bhumirat has suggested parents monitor the use mobile of phones by their children. Although they are necessary in daily life, mobile phones might seriously affect the youngsters’ study if they are improperly or excessively used.

In short, to avert mental health problem and addiction caused by BB overuse, users are cautioned not to use the mobile device, especially for chatting for more than two hours each day. It is also suggested that they take up some recreational activities and communicate on other channels more often instead.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

[Peterbigeyes]

For real??

[nikster]

In other news, avoid poking sharp sticks in your eye, scientists have found that to be detrimental to your health.

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