Health Side Effects Of Too Much Gaming

Video games and online games are becoming a trend among teenagers. However, while it might be a great time pass element, it does have some severe effects on your health. If gaming becomes an addiction, then it might be serious.

When a gamer gives more priority to gaming than other activities, this is an obvious sign of Gaming Addiction. Gaming disorder has been in talks for some time and its health effects can hamper your physical, mental, and social health. This article deals with gaming’s side effects; if you have any of these symptoms, then it’s time to wave the red flag and take necessary precautions.

With too much time spent at home, the youth had indulged in online gaming like never. Doom Eternal, Final fantasy, Carrion, Animal Crossing, or Warzone – What game did you play in 2020?

Gaming is the perfect escape; it undoubtedly transports us to another world, where there is a thrill, adventure, competition, creativity, excitement, and a lot of adrenalin rush. Hitting on the next level has been on top of a gamer’s mind, and time does not matter to a gamer who is completely emerged in his game.

Amidst so much excitement, we barely notice the amount of fatigue our body experiences; every part of our body experiences pain from our back to our neck. Before you know you, the deadly migraine starts troubling you. We do not say gaming is bad, but getting addicted to a game can prove to be quite dangerous for your health in the long run. Whether you play Xbox or online, do not overdo it to the point that it physically damages you.

How Do We Know That You Are Becoming A Gaming Addict?

Your body will signal you when to stop; if you experience constant headaches, sleep disorders, backaches, eating disorders, and fatigue, then these are signs of addiction.

In America alone, 170 million people, spend more than 5 hours a day on the gaming console. Now let us look at some of the side effects of gaming addiction.

1. Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Office goers and gamers usually develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which is mainly caused when the nerve between the forearm and your hand is pressure consistently. The nerves and the tendons in that area become swollen, and the body experiences severe pain and irritation.

2. Gamers Thumb injury

Too much gaming can lead to inflammation of the PlayStation thumb, which means that the thumb you use for gaming controls gets injured due to its overuse. The medical term given to this injury is de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, and it can lead to chronic pain and inflammation.

3. Obesity

Believe it or not, gaming makes couched potatoes, and that leads to obesity. If teenagers sit in front of a screen for hours without any physical activity, then obesity is the obvious outcome. As per a health journal, a single gaming session is associated with increased food intake and unusual hunger syndrome. The mental exhaustion involved in gaming leads to an increase in appetite.

4. Poor Vision

This side effect is evident, and there is no rocket science behind it. The eyes get strained due to spending long hours glued to the screen. Headaches and disturbed concentration levels are also related to eye-straining.

5. Sleep Disturbance

Gamers usually suffer from sleep disturbances, including insomnia, narcolepsy, and parasomnia. The gamer’s mind is never silent; this overstimulation of the mind leads to severe sleep issues. Thus, try not playing after midnight.

6. Psychological Issues

Gamers usually experience withdrawal syndromes like loss of interest in socializing, loss of memory, hyper anxiety, mood swings, and a rise in anger levels. Although there is no perfect treatment for this disorder, with cognitive-behavioral therapy, some relief can be given to the patient.

7. Neglected Personal Hygiene

We know of gamers who skip taking a bath for days at length; they neglect their body and almost forget to comb their hair, brush their teeth, and even clean themselves. This negligence can literally lead to mental stress in the long run.

The Bottom Line:

The only way you can reverse these effects of gaming is by reducing the time spent on gaming. Consult a therapist, and the best thing is to spend some quality time without gadgets. It is as difficult to break gaming addiction as it is to break any other addiction, so treat the patient with a lot of love and care. The dopamine levels are highly affected in gamers; thus, you need to treat with as sensitively as possible. Gaming addiction is a serious issue, and by no means can you neglect it, so go on a holiday, take a vacation, or chill; the only way you can beat this addiction is by staying away from the game as much as possible.