Health

The Negative Impacts of Smartwatches on Health

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In 2024 , the number of global smartwatch users exceeded 454.69 million. Due to the extremely high number of users, and recent discoveries, the negative impacts of smartwatches on health have gradually become recognized by the public.

Fluoroelastomer is an excellent rubber with extremely high corrosion resistance, not even afraid of “sulfuric acid hands.” Therefore, fluoroelastomer is used in some mid-to-high-end watch bands, such as the $49 Apple Watch Light Blush Sport Band.

However, fluoroelastomer may release PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and then the PFAS is absorbed by the skin, causing some problems. In recent years, increasing evidence suggests that PFAS has many toxic effects on the human body. (The toxic emulsifier PFOA contained in some non-stick pans, as well as the contaminant PFOS in drinking water, both belong to PFAS)

A study found that 15 out of 22 common brands of smartwatch bands release PFAS. To reduce the body’s exposure to PFAS substances, changing to a band other than fluoroelastomer may be a good idea. It’s just that the effect is unknown, because PFAS is too common.

The reason why there are no relevant regulations to limit it is because the main PFAS substance released by fluoroelastomer bands is PFHxA, and there is currently little understanding of this substance. Because PFHxA is added as a substitute for PFOA, it is a substance required to manufacture fluoroelastomer. So, maybe it will be like some artificial sweeteners, and its harm will be discovered in the future.

Postscript: Wearing a smartwatch for a long time may cause skin folds under the watch face. Since smartwatches use flashing green light to measure heart rate, and red and infrared light to measure blood oxygen saturation, some people worry about whether the watch will cause abnormal skin aging. But in reality, there is nothing wrong, it is just moisture accumulation under the skin, the skin is “puffed up,” just switch hands or rest for a while.

Eye Care for Extended Indoor Screen Time

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There are reports that when using a computer screen, you need to use sunscreen to prevent the screen radiation from darkening and aging the skin. However, this news is completely unreasonable because computer screens do not bring much ultraviolet light, but it is not to say that applying sunscreen is completely useless.

In the United States in 1970, the oil embargo forced building designers to make buildings more airtight, reducing outdoor air ventilation to improve energy efficiency. But this also made it difficult for toxic substances from various chemical products in the room, as well as carbon dioxide and other uncomfortable substances, to volatilize, and the humidity was lower than 40 %. Dry skin, dizziness, headaches and other adverse symptoms may occur

This condition is called Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), so using sunscreen with moisturizing and water-retaining properties should help. However, the best way is to pay attention to ventilation, adjust the indoor humidity, and directly use moisturizing and water-retaining skin care products.

PS: Some people have studied the effects of mobile phones and tablets on skin radiation, and the conclusion is that mobile phone radiation has a weak effect on skin diseases, and there is little evidence of its long-term side effects. Some people feel discomfort in their hands and ears, which is actually an allergy to the nickel in the phone case. So some manufacturers’ plastic phone cases are to prevent allergies (laughs)

Computer Vision Syndrome

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Playing too many games won’t turn you into a game brain. But using the computer too much may lead to computer vision syndrome ( computer vision syndrome, hereinafter referred to as CVS)

This is a complex syndrome in which the eyes focus on the monitor for a long time, resulting in a decline in the focusing ability of the eyes. Symptoms of CVS include dizziness, headache, vertigo, dry eyes, fatigue, inflammation, blurred vision, neck pain, etc.

According to a message relayed by a paper, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that approximately 90 % of people who spend 3 hours or more in front of a computer every day suffer from CVS.

The main treatment or mitigation method is to prevent the eyes from being too tired. For example, ensure sufficient sleep time, blink more, look at the distance frequently when using the computer (the pomodoro technique will be very effective for this), use artificial tears or a humidifier if you have dry eye, set the computer interface to a dark theme at night, larger fonts, etc.

If you wear glasses, you can specifically get a pair with a slightly lower degree that can only see the screen clearly, which can also relieve fatigue. This pair of glasses can also be coated with an anti-reflective coating, but this is a stakeholder recommendation from the American Optometric Association ……

Snoring Relief Methods

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Approximately 30% of people snore, and the number of people affected should be even greater, because snoring not only affects others but also affects their own sleep.

In severe cases, snoring can also lead to sleep apnea, which is when breathing stops for a long period of time during sleep. Even with long periods of rest, the energy recovered is still limited, and it is easy to feel tired during the day. Approximately 10% of people have sleep apnea.

The principle of snoring is that the soft palate relaxes and blocks the trachea, so preventing the soft palate from blocking the trachea is the key. For example, reducing allergic reactions, losing weight, sleeping on your side, and quitting smoking and alcohol. There are also some physical methods to relieve snoring.

Mandibular advancement splints (anti-snoring mouthguards) can move the lower jaw forward, indirectly expanding the trachea, which can alleviate cases other than severe sleep apnea. However, they need to be custom-made in a supportive hospital, and generic ones purchased online lack fixation and may not be effective.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are a brute-force solution. The mask can continuously provide slight pressure, 100% solving snoring and sleep apnea, but the price is much more expensive than mouthguards.

Main content from Shichi Chichi‘s program.

Bunions and Pointed-Toe Shoes

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A bunion is a type of inflammation that causes symptoms of hallux valgus and is thought to be mainly related to genetics and pointed-toe shoes.

Although pointed-toe shoes are now mainly combined with high heels, they were once popular in the 1960s in the rock, goth, and punk cultures of the United Kingdom, called Winklepicker, and even earlier, they can be traced back to the Crakow that was popular in 15th century Europe.