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- crilen007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+37Sex and Sleep.
Sounds like the opposite of a geek lifestyle. - mightyq, on 10/12/2007, -1/+31"The bed should only be used for two things–sex and sleep."
Added to my list of personal laws. - carotids, on 10/12/2007, -1/+29Woah. Where did you guys come from? :) If dreamhost chokes from the digg effect, here is a raw copy of the text. Thanks for visiting!
Health Problems Related to the Geek Lifestyle
04AprilDr. AA06:33 amAdd comment Edit This
I am a currently practicing board-certified Internal Medicine physician in a large rapidly expanding tech-growth community. (Ed note: Verified) Our area is rapidly being filled with web development, IT, and biotechnology companies. As a doctor in this area over the last few years, I have discovered some unique health problems associated with this population. One of my patients pointed me to this site when I was discussing with her if computer use causes carpal tunnel syndrome.
I have noticed several repeating patterns in this geek lifestyle population.
I have always wanted to post my observations regarding the geek lifestyle. I affectionately call it the “geek lifestyle” because of my previous life of programming and web design. One of the best part of my job is getting to live vicariously through these young energetic people. I frequently wonder what would have happened to me if I would have stayed with my tech-life instead of transitioning to medicine.
Personal points aside, I have noticed several repeating patterns in this geek lifestyle population. Hopefully, these ideas will spark others to study this unique population.
#1 Horrible Sleep Hygiene
Insomnia and altered sleep patterns is one of the most common complaints to my office. Frequently the complaint is of light sleep or of multiple awakening throughout the night. Although this can be a symptom of depression, this is typically caused by poor sleep habits. It typically starts with somebody waking up in the middle of the night and turning on the laptop or TV. This begins to happen more and more frequently until the patient starts to worry about waking up as soon as they go to bed at night. This stress makes the sleep worse and worse until they finally come to see me.
The bed should only be used for two things–sex and sleep.
The fix is typically easy if the habit is not too ingrained. The bed should only be used for two things–sex and sleep. If one is awake in bed for more than 10-15 minutes, one should get up and do something non-stimulating. Listening to music or reading are excellent choices. Lying in bed and watching TV or using the laptop are the worst. These stimulate the brain to wake up even more. If this happens repeatedly, the habit will be formed.
A few of my patients have tried “sleep hacking” and it almost always fails. The dangers of hacking sleep have been explored by a physician elsewhere.
#2 Headaches
Poor screen position, too small font, screen too bright/too dark, poor sitting posture are all commonly reported causes of chronic headache.
Recurrent headaches are a very frequent complaint among heavy computer users. Typically these are caused by a multitude of issues regarding computer use. If they occur the same time every day or if they do not appear on non-work days, these are the clues that point me to a computer cause.
Often when I tell my patients that I suspect it is their work environment, they come back and tell me me how they fixed it. Poor screen position, too small font, screen too bright/too dark, poor sitting posture are all commonly reported causes of chronic headache. When in doubt, I just tell them to trade offices for a couple of days. If they feel better in the other office, then it suggests that it is related to their personal work environment.
Poor eyesight is frequently believed to be a cause of chronic headaches although I believe that is very overrated. What I have seen a few times is that people with glasses having too strong of a prescription. Type-A people when getting refracted for glasses will mistakenly report that higher and higher powers make them see better. To check for this when you get your glasses, just ask your doctor if the manual refraction is close to the computer-predicted, automated refraction. If the manual is a lot higher, then over-power should be a consideration.
#3 Back Pain
Back pain is a frequent complaint in my office as well. In the general patient population, chronic back pain is often a sign of depression; however, in the geek this is more frequently due to work conditions or to overuse. Poor posture, incorrectly sized chair, or poorly positioned monitors are common culprits.
The weekend warrior syndrome often causes the overuse back injury here. All week long the back becomes weak from sitting at the computer desk all day. On the weekend, yard work or lifting causes strain on these underdeveloped muscle units.
#4 Poor Attention Span
I am always amazed at the number of people that mention to me that their attention span is poor. Frequently they will wonder if they have ADD. Sometimes they will even complain about the inability to stay awake during long meetings or stay focuses on non-computer tasks.
The typical geek trains their brain to be heavily focused while multitasking day after day. Is it surprising that this same brain does not do well when forced to isolate down to one task?
First, if one has poor sleep for any reason, the attention span and ability to stay awake during the day will be severely impacted. Attention span cannot be fixed unless the sleep pattern is healthy.
I believe that “poor attention span” has unique aspects in the geek population because I believe many people become geeks because computers have always been one of the things that keep them stimulated. In fact, if I question someone about their attention span, they never, even have problems staying focused on their computer work. If someone is in the middle of some exciting programming, the focus is always there. Therefore, it is not just a generic “attention” problem.
I believe this relative perception of poor attention span is actually caused by two factors. The first is genetic. The brains of some people are just programmed to multi-task. These people likely excel in a computer-rich environment for this reason. I believe the second factor is a simple training issue. Let me explain with an analogy.
If I were to go and try to run a few miles this weekend, I would not be able to easily do so. My muscles are just out of shape from my lack of exercise over the last few months. However, if you take one of the these college basketball athletes, any of them would be able to run miles without even breathing heavy. However, if you made them sit down and try to learn Java for 12 hours a day, most of them would be asleep at their desk before lunch.
The typical geek trains their brain to be heavily focused while multitasking day after day. Is it surprising that this same brain does not do well when forced to isolate down to one task? Listening in a meeting is a very isolated, very passive event. Coding, developing, debugging — these are not passive at all. The geek brain is just not trained to sit quietly and listen.
Thank you to the editors of this site for allowing me to share my observations. I’ll be glad to answer questions in the comments below. - ripter, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16What you didn't hear? 10.5 is the new 10:30
Also, the new Purple is Orange - AnGryTreE, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17I only got about half way through then lost interest.
- ocbeta, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16Laptops on your lap can reduce sperm count, therefore using the theory of darwinism, these genes will kindly elimintate themsevles out of the pool.
- mephitix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12Agreed. Adult swim has ruined my life. But damn, is it oh so good.
- thegeekpea, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1410.5? wtf, is that how you refer to 10:30?
- davak, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13I think my wife would agree. I have a bad habit of a few minutes of laptop time before bed.
Of course, my wife also uses the bed for a place to fold clothes, let the kids play, etc.
So I guess that makes us even. - Cowboy5995, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11I ever since I got broadband a couple of years ago I have been staying up later and later every year. Well that and Adult Swim is on.
- mycatsboots, on 10/12/2007, -3/+12+digg for irony :p
- carotids, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8I am just the editor of the site; I didn't write the article. I just got off the phone with Dr. AA to tell him that he has hit the first page of digg. After clinic today, he said that he would check out the thread and attempt to answer any questions.
- spingk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8What about reading? I read in my bed before I go to sleep all the time.
- slmcdee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Same here... I'm so happy that it starts a 10.5, now I don't have to stay up to 12 to see ATHF.
- SwornPacifist, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Obligatory Coral Cache:
http://www.carotids.com.nyud.net:8090/lifestyle/health-problems-related-to-the-geek-lifestyle/
(Seriously, why isn't Coral Cache a standard link option under a story? ) - stigmergic, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Sex in a bed? What am I supposed to use the kitchen table and living room furniture for?
- Machine, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6What? No obesity or hypertension from sitting at a desk all day long?
- rotten777, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7can't get obese if you never leave your desk to eat ;)
- sgtawol, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Where can we find info on better ergonomics for office chairs, monitor positioning, etc?
You state all sorts of problems, but where can we find solutions? - tablatronix, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6This article is *****.
Im so tired of these ***** articles relating to "geeks" or computer health.
Those arent health problems.
Heres some real problems that real "geeks" may face. And by real geeks I mean people that sit at a computer for years.
Real health problems are the weakening or atrophy of the back muscles from extended sitting. Resulting in real back pain, compressed nerves, slipped discs and essentially total spinal failure.
Weakening of the piriformus muscles in the legs, resulting in pinched sciatica nerves deep in your ass causing difficulty walking.
Eyesight weakness or worsening from strain or lack of focusing.
Those are things you really need to be concerned with.
If your going to be a hardcore geek, you have to balance your time exercising to offset the damage from sitting.
carpel tunnel, backaches and lazyness(wtf?) are easily preventable and not that serious. - JustMatt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I actually really like that tip. I remember being little, and on Christmas Eve, I could never sleep. The longer I stayed in bed lying awake, the less I would be able to fall asleep. I didn't really realize it at the time, but when I would eventually get bored and get out of bed, it was after I returned from doing whatever I was doing that I would actually fall asleep. The same thing goes when I am sick and I just sit in bed all day, I can't sleep when I want to.
- Phyltre, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5It's common knowledge--and also, it is commonly known that people like to see their personal experiences/impressions confirmed and commented on by others.
It's called comradery, one of the things that digg plays to. - Ahnteis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Do yourself a huge favour and get a PVR.
- kuru225, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6how about having an uncontrollable urge to play World of Watercraft
- rakista, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4At least he is not using decimal time.
I actually have a decimal wall clock and it ***** with people's minds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decimal_time
or worse Swatch Internet Time
http://www.swatch.com/internettime/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EUHG5I/104-3992320-8532728?camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2&n=3367581 - MacGeekGuy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Yeah, us laptop wielding geeks will have our genes cooked right out of the pool... but then who'll fix everyone's computers?! I think you should wish for something different... like armored sperm ;)
- rattking, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4A few years ago after my car broke I jumped back on my bike for my 8 mile commute (round trip)
it cured my insomnia and increased my energy and I've never felt better
I still have access to a truck for what does not fit in my huge backpack
cycling can be a very geeky hobby.. if you like numbers - cokebottletuque, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6geek: A carnival performer whose show consists of bizarre acts, such as biting the head off a live chicken. have fun biting chickens.
- lws07, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"The typical geek trains their brain to be heavily focused while multitasking day after day. Is it surprising that this same brain does not do well when forced to isolate down to one task?....The geek brain is just not trained to sit quietly and listen."
Seems to perfectly describe anytime I try to talk to my bf when he's at the computer, esp when he's WOWing : p - scrum, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4This *was* insightful...all I'm saying is that I hope there's a follow up article with a bit more research/analysis put into it. Blog posts that have more information get bashed here. The digg community is such a fickle bunch.
- ezweave, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3When things get tight (release dates, grad school deadlines), I'm a wreck. I experience all of this, all the time. Meetings knock me out unless, it is more of a discussion or it's my meeting.
Oddly enough, I find that setting up my IDEs to have a dark background and light text (black background, white, blue, etc text) helps.
Who doesn't love those periods when you work eighty hour weeks, go to bed right after coding, and wake up to work on more code as you commute?
I think that is a little different than most "hardcore" computer users. It is really hard to get your mind off of a design/code problem when sleep is the only break you take. Sometimes I dream in Java/C/whatever. - rabiddogma, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3maybe cause it doesn't work? never works for me anyway.
- Phyltre, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Geeks are the next life form.
In this crude beta world, we cannot survive comfortably in all situations. - m0nk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Wow, it's like that article is speaking right to me....
- bostonyankee, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I tried to read the whole thing, but between my pounding headaches, aching back, and inability to think due to insomnia, it wasn't happening. Besides, how am I supposed to concentrate for that long? Look! Baloons!
- kramer3d, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I quote a bad guy in a recent James Bond movie...
"There's plenty of time to sleep when you're dead." - Ares, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2As a 40yr old male with no family history of diabetes, I was diagnosed in 2001 and had been a hardcore, and by hardcore I mean 14+ hours a day of computer use. All day on computer, and gaming all night.
I think a lot of us are in denial when it comes to the sheer amount of time spent at our favorite tool.
I also have sleep apnea. I can vouch for the sleep issues. I still can only maintain 4 hours straight…because I wake up with back pain usually.
I’ve had 4 cervical fusions.
I have 2 more lumbar disc problems and a surgical consult today.
I’m taking wellbutrin for depression.
I think I’m self destuctive , so I am typing this to warn anyone who hopefully reads this to change your “lifestyle” NOW. It will probably kill me, don’t fall into the same hell I live in.
Typical day for the past 15 years.
Coffee-Coffee-commute 2 hrs-comp powerup-coffee-coffee-coffee-lunch-coffee-computer powerdown-commute-coffee-computer powerup-gameofthemonthlogin-diet coke-game-coke-game-snack and or dinner, depending on raid-coffee-game-game-sleep-REPEAT
If anyone reading this is anywhere near this pattern, for your sake, the sake of your families, please reset and re-evaluate.
You may be arguing with a partner/family member justifying your time spent gaming, but piling an addictive gaming lifestyle on top of a “geek” lifestyle isn’t just bad for you, it can kill you. - SwornPacifist, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Actually bryan986, it uses both 8090 and 8080
- Patryn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I just realized that I AM a geek...man, I need to step away from the computure for...just...one hour...nah...I'll embrace my inner geek.
- LandStander, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I often forget to eat dinner when at the comp.
- cantankerous, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Solutions:
The sitting problem: http://www.sitforless.com/ (stick with Herman Miller or Steelcase - check eBay for the best prices)
The body problem: Get some of these http://www.asicsamerica.com/ and then hit the http://www.ballyfitness.com/
The Nutrition problem: You know this is really quite easy. Never shop for food down the aisles. In other words, stop buying crap in a box or a can. Buy only the things you must cook yourself. Eat five fruits and five veggies a day. Get variety, eat fish, red and white meat, poultry and fish. You will lose a lot of weight that way. I did.
The mind problem: Just get unplugged for at least an hour a day during the work week and at least a full day on the weekend. Remember when nothing was open (under 35? ignore the history part of this statement - but do live it out) on Sunday? Pretend it's still that way. - silenceHR, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3hmmmmm.... sex or sleep? ;)
i know i get nuff sleep :D - ErikPersson, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2he forgot tennis elbow...
- rakista, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2You don't have to eat five "fresh" veggies per day. Buying the frozen stuff works great for miso soup and stir fries as it cooks in the same time as the meat. Get veggies any way you can.
Also if you don't already have some meatless days where you use nuts, soy or some other protein to balance that pizza or burger you know you are going to have, try it. Peanut butter can be used in savory and spicey soups instead of meat to delicious effect.
Realize that eating beef, chicken, pork or turkey from supermarkets and fast food that it is mostly full of antibiotics and other nasties. Find a local butcher and buy new meats like goat, lamb and rabbit. All of these are much healthier in general than the crap they sell in stores. Before you try goat or lamb drink the milk from the same farm if you can. The meat will taste like the milk. Chicks dig a man who cooks rabbit. Well not vegan ones. - Salvo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2You're both right, in a way.
The Traditional usage of Geek, as in Unsocial Stage Performer, has slowly adapted to mean someone who doesn't adhere to a Mainstream Lifestyle.
There are Music Geeks, Art Geeks, Film Geeks, Computer Geeks, Science Geeks, Sports Geeks and even Fashion Geeks to name a few.
It can be used to refer to just about anyone who is more obsessive about a Niche Special Interest, to the detriment of their mainstream social skills. I can't make small-talk with my brother during Football Season because he is usually obsessed with the latest coaching strategies. Likewise, he can't speak to me after a new development in computing occurs.
My definition of Dorks and Nerds are an extention of this; Nerds are those who neglect *all* Social Niceties in their pursuit of their special interests, while Dorks are completely ignorant of Fashion; they just don't fit into society, no matter how much they want to. - rakista, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Fat geeks aren't working hard enough. I got skinnier and skinnier as I approached my grad school degree to the point where my girlfriend leaves food at the computer or I may not eat.
- eHardOn, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4..several years ago, my company had some fat-piece-of-***** programmer working in one of the cubes across from my office. This dude was huge, maybe 500lb . He'd bring one of those 96 quart coolers filled with snacks to work everyday. A special chair had to be ordered to accommodate this guy.. I'm not joking.
- retinaburn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Try decreasing your caffeine intake. I found that during my first year of univesity with the long hours I was consuming waaaay too much coke. Once I cut back the eye twitching subsided. And you are right its very annoying, but unless it is a large twitch no one can notice, which ramps up the paranoia ;)
- VeganG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Multi-tasking in the neural sense isn't always defined as physically doing multiple things at once. A good deal of programming is doing something with the "big picture" in mind, and how it's all going to come together and work. It's very much parallel thinking, and that's multi-tasking for you.
- rakista, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It is called Troglodyte mode.
http://www.jargon.net/jargonfile/t/troglodytemode.html
Somone should pry put this on Wikipedia -
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