What Damage Am I Doing To My Health?

[Neocubes]

Ever since I bought myself a gaming PC, ive been spending most of my days sitting at my desk. I cant think of a time when i've gone to bed before 1am because i've stayed up playing games all night, I'd definitely class myself as addicted. I often leave the computer with a strong headache, what real damage am i doing to myself?

[LazyGun]

Watch the World of Warcraft South Park episode to see what damage you are doing :)

More seriously, less an immediate health threat - any damage to health is going to be cumulative, over time - but definitely a threat to your social life, possibly your work and your ability to interact with the real world.

Walk away - find something to occupy yourself in the real world....

[SlackAlice]

Lack of exercise and eyestrain are my immediate guesses.

[237SJ]

My optican said she`s seeing a lot of younger people developing eyesight problems and she thinks that is from computer use. My osteopath said she is seeing a lot of people with postural problems from sitting in front of computers so that`s two problems straight away (apart from making you socially isolated).

[Buenchico]

Read this document to learn about the problems associated with excessive use of computer monitors (and to learn how to minimise them):
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf

[Old_Geezer]

Not sure what to add to the rest save to say that what occured first to me was that posture issue will cause aches & pains. Not strictly a health issue but lack of sleep means you are likely to be less than alert and able to concentrate during the day. And your social interactions with those around you will suffer from lack of attention. One needs to find balance in life and that includes finding the willlpower to limit experiencing the things that we enjoy.

[Neocubes]

Great answers guys, just what i needed to hear. Given me a lot to think about.