A smartphone is a mobile phone that integrates functions such as email, calendar, contact lists and productivity apps. It also has a touchscreen, and can be used anywhere that has a cellular signal.
Cell phones are an indispensable tool for many people. However, they can be harmful to our health if we use them for long periods of time.
Pineal Gland
One of the most underestimated glands in our body is a small pine cone-shaped structure deep within the brain called the pineal gland. This tiny gland is responsible for a number of important functions such as sleep, circadian rhythms and even perception of reality.
Unfortunately, modern flat screens emit a higher amount of blue light than sunlight, which delays and suppresses the production of melatonin, thus disrupting our ability to fall asleep. Also, the constant stimulation of text messages and social media notifications is arousing for teens and makes it more difficult for them to fall asleep.
Cell phone use in the evening can lead to delayed and poor quality sleep, which in turn leads to a host of physical and psychological health problems. For example, sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity and cardiovascular disease as well as mood disorders such as depression. It can also increase stress levels and negatively impact your memory.
Temporal Lobes
The temporal lobes are the second largest brain lobes and are involved in processing sensory information, memory formation, some aspects of language, emotions, and speech production. They contain structures like the hippocampus, crucial to long-term memory and the primary auditory cortex, essential for deciphering sounds.
They are also home to Wernicke’s area, critical for understanding spoken language. The dominant temporal lobe, usually the left one in people, aids in language comprehension, while Broca’s area (located in the frontal lobe) is responsible for speech production.
It is important to take care of your temporal lobes, as damage can have profound consequences. To reduce your risk of traumatic brain injury, make sure to wear a helmet when riding a bike or using a seat belt when driving; clear floors of clutter and electrical cords to prevent falls; and use caution when climbing ladders. If you experience recurring traumatic injuries to the head, talk to your doctor.
Eyes
When it comes to modern devices, few have the power to keep us connected like our mobile phones. We use them to browse the internet, play games, record video, text and message each other, and stay updated on social media.
A common problem associated with cell phone use is digital eye strain (DES). This happens when you spend a long time staring at the screen of your device. It causes extreme discomfort in the eyes and neck and can even cause blurry vision.
The reason this happens is that screens emit blue light, which damages the retina. The retina is the back of the eye, and it is crucial for vision. The light it sends to our brain is converted into signals that we see as our surroundings. This process can be hampered by continuous exposure to blue light, which is why it’s important to limit screen time on our smartphones.
Ears
The ear is the organ most directly exposed to mobile phone electromagnetic radiation. Although the emitted radiation is within accepted limits, researchers do not know whether long term use of the cell phone will destroy its delicate hair cells that transmit sound signals to the brain.
These hair cells are essential for human hearing and balance, but their destruction results in high frequency hearing loss, which makes consonants such as s, f, and t difficult to hear even when vowels can be heard clearly. High frequency hearing loss also affects balance, and may lead to dizziness, memory lapses, exhaustion, depression, and concentration problems.
A recent study from South University Columbia found that students who swabbed their phones for an environmental health class were frequently carrying around dangerous bacteria called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA can cause life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream and heart valves. It can even be fatal if it infects the lungs.
Teeth and Jaw
Cell phones have become essential for many people, allowing them to communicate, entertain and stay organized on the go. However, smartphones can also have negative effects on our health. One of the main issues is that they produce HEV light, which can damage the eyes and cause sleep problems. Moreover, they often allow people to see pornographic or violent content on the internet.
In addition, cell phones can carry germs that cause infections. According to a study conducted by students in an Environmental Health class at South University, Columbia, one of six cellphones tested positive for E. coli bacteria of fecal origin. These bacteria can cause skin infections or penetrate deeper tissues to infect bones, joints, surgical wounds, blood vessels and heart valves.
You may clench and grind your teeth as a result of the disorder known as bruxism. This type of clenching is usually linked to stress and anxiety. Although, it's rare that bruxism results in any serious problems.
Neck
A cell phone helps us stay connected to family, friends, and work at all times. But excessive and inappropriate use is bad for your health. It can lead to a number of different problems like phubbing, which means ignoring your partner or other family members in favor of your cell phone.
Cuello is the oldest Maya ruin excavated to date and holds many mysteries for archaeologists. It is also the home of a skeletal cohort that continues to be sampled for projects studying Preclassic Maya diet and social mobility using stable oxygen and strontium isotopes.
Cuello is a leader in her own community, serving as the executive director of NC FIELD (Focus on Increasing Education Leadership and Dignity), a small nonprofit in Kinston, North Carolina that supports farmworkers in six eastern counties in the state. During the recent pandemic, she was instrumental in picking up the pace of providing access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Heart
The heart is not just a muscle; it is a finely tuned electrical system. That’s why it is vital for human health that it keeps beating in a healthy rhythm. But cell and cordless phones emit their own chaotic electrosmog that can disrupt the normal rhythm of your heart, causing problems for pacemakers and intra-cardiac defibrillators (ICDs).
According to a recent study, even just 30 minutes of talking on a mobile phone each week increases the risk of high blood pressure by 12 percent. And six hours of talk time per week doubles the risk of hypertension.
Other studies have found that excessive smartphone use decreases physical activity and negatively affects mental health, including depression symptoms and forward head posture. Additionally, using a mobile phone during sleep raises your heart rate and blood cholesterol levels and has been linked to a higher chance of high blood pressure when you wake up.
Elbow
The cell phone has become an important part of many people’s lives. It is a way for them to keep in touch with friends, family and business associates. It is also a tool that allows them to access the internet and information.
However, there are some negative effects of the cell phone that have been uncovered. The electromagnetic radiation from the cell phone can cause damage to a person’s brain and reproductive organs. It can also increase the risk of developing different types of cancer.
Another negative effect of the cell phone is that it can be a source of germs. It has been found that one in six mobile phones are contaminated with E. coli bacteria that come from fecal matter. This is due to the fact that most people do not wash their hands after using their phone. This can lead to a number of diseases including diarrhea and fever.
Sciatic Nerve
The human body wasn’t made for cell phones. This is especially true of our backs. Most people carry their cell phone in the back pocket of their pants, and if they sit with it there all day this can cause a condition known as "sciatica from a cell phone." From the rear of the pelvis down the backs of the legs, the sciatic nerve runs. If it becomes compressed or irritated, it can impact circulation by interfering with the autonomic nervous system’s ability to control the dilation and constriction of blood vessels and the rate and force of the heartbeat. This can lead to pain in the butt, and even leg weakness or numbness.
