Coventry University scientists say your mobile phone could be making you ill

November 19, 2015  11:52

Scientists believe they have discovered why mobile phone users can often feel queasy while on their devices after diagnosing ‘cybersickness’.

Researchers believe the condition is a digital version of motion sickness and is experienced when people scroll through apps or web pages on their phones.

Dr Cyriel Diels, a cognitive psychologist and human factors researcher at Coventry University’s Centre for Mobility and Transport said: “It’s a fundamental problem that’s kind of been swept under the carpet in the tech industry.

“It’s a natural response to an unnatural environment.”

He explained it is created by a mismatch between sensory inputs happening when the brain is tricked into believing we are moving while we actually remain still.

“Your sense of balance is different than other senses in that it has lots of inputs,” he added.

“When those inputs don’t agree, that’s when you feel dizziness and nausea.”

Some of symptoms of cybersickness are nausea, inflammation of the eyes, giddiness, dizziness, inability to focus, sweating, and headache.

According to the teams researchers those suffering from migraines and insomnia are more prone to cybersickness.

Dr Diels advises anyone to refrain from using the mobiles for a long period of time, taking a break and moving around.

He also said shifting focus while viewing the screen of smartphone, computer or TV will help combat cybersickness.

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