Computer Addicts Are Susceptible to e-Thrombosis

Those who sit in front of computers for a long time can have a so-called economy-class syndrome (deep vein thrombosis) that people on a long-distance flight have.

The BBC cited on Jan. 28 the newly released European Respiratory Journal (ERJ), reporting that a 32-year-old New Zealander who used the computer for 18 hours a day without standing up was close to death.

The man introduced in the journal by Dr. Richard Bisley of the New Zealand Medical Institute had been feeling a pain in his swollen calf, had difficulties breathing, and lost consciousness.

Diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, he was injected with thrombolytics before his recovery. Dr. Bisley said, “We couldn`t find any factors of deep vein thrombosis except sitting in front of the computer for a long time.”

Deep vein thrombosis is thrombus in the vein of the legs caused by not moving legs for a long time. The thrombus comes off and circulates in the blood vessels. It may block pulmonary artery to death.

“The risk of the economy-class syndrome was recognized when each incidence was made public. Since computers are used widely, there will be a lot of people exposed to the risk of e-thrombosis,” Dr. Bisley said.

Rae-Jeong Park ecopark@donga.com