mmalabanan
Spending too time much online can increase your risk for colds and flu.
A study conducted by researchers from the universities of Milan and Swansea revealed that people with greater levels of internet addiction are more likely to be sick since they have weakened immune systems. The results of their study showed that people who spend too much time online are more susceptible to cold and flu by 30 percent. Moreover, they found that internet addicts may experience great stress when they are disconnected from the Internet.
Based on their findings, people who spend too much time online tend to spend less time outside. As a result, they have less exposure to germs.
“It may also be that those who spend a long time alone on the internet experience reduced immune function as a result of simply not having enough contact with others and their germs,” Professor Read from Swansea University explained.
Aside from sleep deprivation, internet addicts tend to smoke and consume more alcohol, have worse eating habits, and do less exercise.This kind of lifestyle makes them more vulnerable to diseases.
Professor Phil Read said: “We found that the impact of the internet on people’s health was independent of a range of other factors, like depression, sleep deprivation, and loneliness, which are associated with high levels of internet use and also with poor health.”
Furthermore, the cycle of stress and relief linked to internet addiction may alter the level of cortisol, a hormone affecting the immune system.
Their study revealed that most people use the internet on average for six hours a day. A few people admitted to using the internet particularly social media sites for more than 10 hours a day. Women were found to use the internet for online shopping and social media sites surfing, while men tend to use it for pornography and gaming.
