While the couch potatoes [TV addicts] suffer primarily with issues relating to sleep, back pain, obesity, compulsive eating syndrome and plain addiction to the idiot box, the finer, modern technology is taking its toll on both physical and psychological fronts. Enough evidence is available about the ill-effects of the cell-phone towers’ airwaves. They’ve even  proved disastrous for the once ubiquitous sparrows that have become extinct in cities along with certain varieties of birds. Here are some of the deadly problems rapidly surfacing in an increasingly technology driven world.

Thumbs down

The ‘Blackberry Thumb’ syndrome—a term given to an injury that smart phones and gaming devices cause to compulsive users is no more a rarity. It begins with pain, swelling and stiffness at the base of the thumb due to an irritation of the muscles. The symptoms include aching and throbbing pain in the thumb [or sometimes other fingers] and in the wrist and may cause disability of the hands.

For whom the bell rings

Have you ever felt that your mobile phone is ringing or vibrating even when it’s not? Terms such as ‘Faux alarm’, ‘Ringxiety’ or the ‘Phantom Ringing Syndrome [PRS]’, are used for those suffering with this syndrome as they often ‘hear’ their mobile phone ringing or ‘feel’ it vibrating, only to discover it was a false alarm! This could mostly happen when you are sleeping or when busy doing office work or household chores.

Sticking out your neck

Perhaps, one of the most common is the ‘Texters Neck’ or ‘Text Neck’ syndrome that is linked with people using mobile phones, laptops or tablets. Keeping the neck and head stretched forwards for long periods puts a heavy strain on the neck and eventually causes the natural curvature of the neck to reverse, leading to serious neck problems.

The laptop thigh

Laptops give us the flexibility of movement but working for hours, with it perched on the lap, could result in a serious skin problem known as the ‘Toasted Skin Syndrome.’ The name arises as a result of discolouration of the skin on the lap, which makes it look patchy. In medical terms, it is known as ‘Erythema Ab Igne’ and commonly known as ‘Laptop Thigh.’ Stagnation of blood causes pigmentation of the skin and patches.

Microwaving the brain

The World Health Organization [WHO] has long ago announced that there is a potential risk of cancer being caused from mobile phone radiation, since they emit signals in the form of microwaves. The use of mobile phones for a prolonged duration enables the radiation to get in direct contact with the tissues in the brain. This can affect changes in the brain cells which may become cancerous and cause a rare type of tumour that develops in the brain or the spine.

Strangely numb

It starts with a burning sensation, shooting pain as well as numbness in the hands which eventually spreads to other parts of the body over time. The pain usually gets worse while doing an activity. The hands of the users become weak and they find it hard in maintaining a grip on even small objects. The ‘Repetitive Stress Injury’ [RSI] happens by repeating the same activities without adequate ergonomic care. People working in front of computers for hours, as well as those texting excessively on their mobile phones are more susceptible to this injury.

For your eyes only

Regular computer users suffer from various eye related problems which are collectively termed as ‘Computer Vision Syndrome.’ Looking at computer screens for long hours can cause overall eye tiredness, reduced eyesight, blurred vision, dry eye syndrome and glaucoma [increased pressure in the eye].

Though the modern LCD screens strain the eyes less than the older screens, but at high intensity even they can cause extensive damage. Many people experience eye discomfort and vision anomalies when viewing a computer screen for extended periods. The level of discomfort increases with the amount of computer usage.

Silent ‘ear’drums

Take a look at people at the bus stand, metro stations or those just walking on the streets and jogging in the parks with headphones plugged into their ears. These music connoisseurs are enjoying their favourite music stored on their iPods while others tune into FM stations. Little do they realise that most of them have already damaged their ear drums. The proliferation of portable music players and other items that attach into the ears including cell phones is playing havoc, as the adverse impact of headphones on the ear normally takes a few years to reveal itself.

On back-burner

It is always the back which bears the brunt while one is working on a laptop or computer. Lower back pain is common among people who hunch over laptops while working and have a bad posture while sitting/standing. Incorrect posture affects the shape of the spine adversely and causes pain in the muscles of the shoulders and the back and it can be quite crippling.

Sleep disruption

Gadgets cause distraction of a peculiar kind. People are busy using tablets, laptops, phones, gaming gadgets or TV rather whimsically. There is no sense of timing and while some spend all their time on the social media or surfing the Internet, others spend the night talking on the phone, or on Skype.

For those using gadgets immediately before going to bed, they befriend sleeplessness. The body when exposed to the bright artificial light of the screens reduces the production of the sleep inducing hormone called melatonin. Instead, it promotes alertness in the body, which makes falling asleep difficult and can enhance sleep disorders.

Tired and depressed?

Spending long hours at the computer could cause the ‘Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’ [CFS] leading to a feeling of tiredness or severe fatigue that lasts for many weeks or even months. Those suffering with this disorder usually complain of severe fatigue that gets worse even by a simple action. They suffer from depression, sore throat, headache and muscle pain.

Lifestyle revamp [Freedom from gadget related ailments]

The Internet and desk based jobs have given rise to many joint ailments. Knee pain due to continuous sitting in the same position in cold temperature is commonly known as the ‘office-knee’. Researchers in the UK have found that more than a quarter of its country’s workers are suffering from painful knee joints and doctors have attributed this to rising levels of obesity and desk-based jobs across all age groups. There is hardly any doubt that with technology becoming a persistent companion, lifestyle modifications are badly needed.

While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ remedy to all these modern technology related ailments and syndromes but what can certainly ameliorate them are:

• Go for regular outdoor exercise
• Take short breaks during work
• Mind your posture while on the computer or laptop
• Do regular neck and shoulder exercises
• Take a regular night sleep of 8 hours
• Have green salads daily
• Wash eyes often with water
• Take meals on time and drink plenty of water. Remember, even though you control the gadgets, your gadgets too can control you!

The post Devil in our gadgets appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Epicurus, the Greek philosopher, believed that all human existence was derived from the sensation of touch.’The foundation of Epicurus’ philosophy is that all good and bad come from the sensations of pleasure and pain. According to him, this principle can be applied to the consumption of food and drink as well.

Psychologists and doctors today concur that delectable food, fresh vegetables and fruits can have a positive effect on our moods. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidant properties, which improve the health of our brain cells. To add to this belief, an epicurean believes that all food is healthy, unless it is eaten in excess or with an imbalance of starch, proteins, fats and vitamins. Epicurean food is therefore specially designed to maximise its natural benefits and improves a person’s health along with indulging his senses.

So, what does an epicure eat?

Let’s take a look at some classic epicurean foods that have great health benefits:

Seaweed — a rich source of potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, sodium, iodine and vitamin B complex. A good antioxidant, seaweed also promotes the growth of healthy hair.

Wheatgrass — high in fibre, wheatgrass helps ease bowel movements; it is good for the skin and speeds up the healing process. Gargling with wheatgrass juice can help treat halitosis [bad breath] as well.

Zucchini — a gourd family member, it closely resembles the cucumber. Zucchini, being high in water content, is naturally low in calories. It is rich in vitamin C, with a high content of potassium, folates and vitamin A.

Spirulina — a sea plant rich in proteins, spirulina is usually consumed as a protein supplement. Its immune system enhancing effects and chlorophyll content helps in detoxification.

Mood boosting ‘feel-good’ foods also include fish that reduces symptoms of anxiety, sleep disorders, sadness, suicidal thoughts and decreased sex drive. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium that boosts energy and mental alertness. Milk is an excellent ‘feel-great’ food as it contains proteins high in tryptophan, a building block for serotonin in the brain. It is a source of vitamin D [low levels have been associated with depression]. Milk is also a source of calcium, which has been shown to reduce anxiety.

Psychologists and doctors today concur that delectable food, fresh vegetables and fruits can have a positive effect on our moods

Some exotic and healthy fruits include prickly pears, or cactus pears, with their vibrant ruby-red or golden pulp that is mild and sweet. This fruit is found in the Southwest US and Mexico and helpful in treating type-2 diabetes. Green plantains, which resemble large bananas are hard, starchy and bland, and need to be cooked before eating. They are richer in vitamins A and C and potassium [which lowers blood pressure] than bananas.

An easy trick to apply when it comes to including healthy fruit into your daily diet is to combine fruits and vegetables well. Choose fruits that are high in vitamin C, like citrus, berries or kiwis, with at least one deep orange or red vegetable from the carotenoid family, such as carrots and tomatoes; one from the Brassica family, like broccoli or cabbage; and one from the allium family, such as garlic, onions or leeks.

Meet the Epicureans

Vineet Wadhera, Director of Food & Beverage of Shangri-La’s-Eros Hotel New Delhi, says, “The concept of refined sensuous enjoyment with fine food and drinks has rubbed off on me [major focus is healthy and nutritious food]; I have been a fan of epicurean cuisine for some time now. A plethora of dishes come to my mind, such as potato rolls with caraway salt, pickled crudités, sugar plum orange and apricot Earl Grey jam tarts, butter finger truffles, and mozzarella and roasted red pepper bruschetta among others. As for Indian cuisine, it’s time to stop drowning curries in oil and butter and start showing how the cuisine can be good for your palate and your heart. Indian cuisine uses a lot of spices, so it is intrinsically healthy as long as you don’t load the recipes with butter, oil, cream and the like. A diet high in curry [which typically includes turmeric] may help the ageing brain. Ginger has been seen as an aid for digestion. Cinnamon is used for taste, but it comes with added benefit of possibly helping to lower cholesterol and is among the most powerful antioxidants out there.”

An easy trick to apply when it comes to including healthy fruit into your daily diet is to combine fruits and vegetables well

All epicureans have their own special way of relishing the dishes that they feel give them happiness and a sense of fulfilment. John Dayal, veteran journalist, documentary film-maker and activist reminisces, “My mother taught me how to make a few life saving comfort dishes khichdi or kedgeree, tehari or a simple veggie pilaf, and what should really be called a Spanish omelette, whisked eggs fried in a pan with some fillings from whatever was in the house. She failed to make me a cook, but managed to instil in me an abiding interest in food and how differently it can be cooked, leading to a reasonable home library of beautifully illustrated cookbooks from the east and the west, and a moronic fixation on TV food programmes. The finesse lies in mixing ingredients, spices and fats, and the expertise in temperature control for effective cooking without destroying the wholesomeness of the different meats, grain and vegetables.”

To sum up the lure of epicureanism succinctly, Sid Khullar from Chef-at-Large says “Would I analyse the effects of a few spoonfuls of Iranian Beluga caviar on my health before eating it? Probably not! That’s usually the last thought when indulging in such foods because epicureans are inherently focussed on the sensory properties of their meals than their side effects. Why else would we find folks queuing up for Fugu—the deadly blowfish from Japan? At the end of the day, it’s moderation that counts, not restriction.”

The post The epicurean philosophy: Eat, drink, be merry (and healthy) appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.