Smartphone users may be more likely to take painkillers, according to a new study. However, they find less relief than people with headaches who use fewer digital devices. The researchers do not prove that theUse of smartphonesleads to greater use of painkillers. They simply show an association between the two.
Although scientists need to confirm the results through more in-depth research, they are still worrying. Cell phone use is increasing rapidly and is associated with a range of symptoms. Headaches are the most common. For the study, the researchers examined data from 400 people with a primary headache disorder. These included migraines, tension headaches and other types. However, these cannot be attributed to another illness. They asked people about theirsUse of technologiesand the amount of pain they feel.
Of the 400 people, 206 were smartphone users and 194 were non-users. The people who did not use cell phones were older, had lower levels of education, and were more likely to have lower socioeconomic status than those who owned cell phones. The former were more likely to take painkillers, averaging eight tablets per month, compared to five tablets per month for non-users.
Study results
However, the study found no difference between the two groups in the frequency of headaches, duration or severity of symptoms.
“The root of the problem is not yet entirely clear,” said Heidi Moawad of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, in an editorial accompanying the study. “Is it the position of a user’s neck, the phone’s lighting, eye strain, or the stress of being connected at all times? Answers are likely to emerge in the coming years and eventually lead to the elaboration ofStrategies for sustainable smartphone uselead. Features such as hands-free calling, voice activation and audio capabilities could potentially be key to helping smartphone users experience fewer negative effects.”
Another limitation of theStudywas that the two groups did not match on characteristics such as educational level and socioeconomic status. All information about headaches and smartphone use was provided by participants. It's also possible that they didn't remember everything well about the headache.
