“Does working a computer job lead to rheumatic diseases?”

Working at a computer, can increase your risk of developing tendinitis in the hand or carpal tunnel syndrome, but not an actual rheumatic disease. It is important that you have an ergonomic workstation even if you use a laptop it should be on a desk. And you want to make certain that there is a wrist rest.

Computer work can lead to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome and what we might term overuse syndromes where repetitive activities cause tendonitis, particularly at the elbow.

The most common “rheumatic disease” associated with computer use is carpal tunnel syndrome. Repeated typing can cause some swelling near the wrist which will press on the median nerve and will cause tingling and pain in the hand that may radiate up the arm. Treatment can span from wrist braces to medicines to surgical release. For more information go to the spine community.com