Nowadays, because of the modern times we live in, we tend to use our smart phones even before we go to bed. Before falling asleep, we surf the internet, play a game, check the weather forecast for the next day, chat with friends, etc. However, according to experts who research the effect of smart phones on our health, this habit may cause serious health issues.
The main reason behind this is the radiation emitted from the phones, that is, the blue light coming from the screen. It’s a part of the full light spectrum and we’re exposed to it through the sun on a daily basis. But, exposure to the light at night through our phones, tablets, laptops, etc. may cause vision problems. Moreover, this light impedes the melatonin production and thus, it has a negative influence on the body’s natural sleep cues.
From a scientific point of view, smart phones have been associated with the following health issues:
Cancer
The light coming from these devices disturbs the sleeping patterns and increases the risk of cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer. Melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, is a naturally- found weapon against cancer in our bodies, however, the blue light suppresses it.
Insomnia
Melatonin is also a hormone which regulates the body’s sleeping cycle and the blue light is known to disrupt its production. This results in insomnia and other problems like weight gain, depression, cardiovascular problems, aging skin, slower time for response, etc.
Eye damage
When constantly exposed to the blue light from the screens, there is a higher risk of retina damage, macular degeneration, and cataracts. One doctor had a 35-year old patient with cloudy vision and cataracts which is not so common in younger individuals. However, the main reason, as it appears, might be the frequent use of gadgets before sleep.
After reading this information, will you continue using your smart phone or tablet prior to bed?
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