In today's digital age, the use of mobile phones, tablets, and laptops has become a part of everyday life. Whether for work, study, or entertainment, many people spend hours in front of screens. However, many complain of dizziness, nausea, or loss of balance after prolonged use.
This condition often leads people to believe their vertigo is caused by gadgets. Medically, gadgets are not a direct cause of vertigo. Excessive gadget use can trigger various conditions that cause vertigo-like sensations or worsen symptoms in people who already have balance disorders.
So, is it true that gadgets can cause vertigo? Here's the medical explanation you need to know.
The Difference Between Vertigo and Ordinary Dizziness
Many people still consider all dizziness as vertigo, even though the two are different conditions.
Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, even though there is no actual movement. This condition occurs due to a disturbance in the vestibular system, the system responsible for regulating balance. This disturbance can originate in the inner ear or the brain.
Meanwhile, ordinary dizziness generally only causes a light feeling in the head, a feeling of floating, or discomfort without a spinning sensation.
Besides the feeling of spinning, vertigo can also be accompanied by various other symptoms, such as:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Difficulty standing or maintaining balance.
- Walking disorders.
- Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus).
- A cold sweat.
Because the causes and treatments are different, it is important to recognize whether the complaint experienced is vertigo or just ordinary dizziness.
Is it true that gadgets cause vertigo?
To date, there is no scientific evidence to show that gadget use directly causes vertigo.
However, the term "gadget-induced vertigo" is often used to describe the sensation of dizziness or spinning after staring at a screen for extended periods. In reality, this condition is often triggered by various factors related to screen use, not by gadgets damaging the balance organs.
For some people, using electronic devices or gadgets for long periods of time can worsen the symptoms of vestibular disorders they experience, such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, or vestibular migraines.
In addition, constant visual exposure from screens can cause the brain to receive information that differs from the balance signals from the inner ear, resulting in discomfort.
Therefore, if you often experience dizziness after using a gadget, you should not immediately conclude that the cause is vertigo without a proper medical examination.
Why Does Staring at a Screen Too Long Cause a Dizzy Head?
There are several factors that make someone feel dizzy or experience a vertigo-like sensation after using a gadget for a long time.
1. Digital eye strain
Digital eye strain or digital eye fatigue is a common condition that occurs due to staring at a screen for too long without a break.
Symptoms include:
- Tired eyes.
- Dry eyes.
- Blurred vision.
- Headache.
- Difficulty focusing.
This eye strain can trigger discomfort and even a sensation of lightheadedness or dizziness.
2. Cybersickness
Cybersickness is a condition where the visual information received by the eye does not match the information from the body's balance system.
For example, when watching fast-moving videos, playing games, using virtual reality (VR), or scrolling through a screen for a long time, the eyes send signals as if the body is moving, while the inner ear detects that the body is remaining still.
This difference in information causes the brain to experience sensory conflict which can trigger:
- Nauseous.
- Dizzy.
- Spinning sensation.
- A cold sweat.
In some people, the symptoms are very similar to vertigo.
3. Neck muscle tension syndrome ( text neck syndrome )
The habit of looking down while using a cell phone can cause tension in the neck and shoulder muscles.
This condition, known as text neck syndrome, can disrupt blood flow and trigger neck pain accompanied by dizziness or a feeling of heaviness in the head.
The longer the hunched position is maintained, the greater the likelihood of these complaints appearing.
4. Lack of sleep and fatigue
Using gadgets late at night often reduces sleep quality because the blue light from the screen can inhibit the production of the hormone melatonin.
Lack of sleep is one of the factors that can worsen various neurological complaints, including dizziness, migraines, and vertigo in susceptible individuals.
Safe Steps to Reduce Dizziness When Using Gadgets
Although gadgets are not a direct cause of vertigo, the following habits can help reduce the risk of dizziness after using a screen.
1. Apply the 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 minutes, look away from an object for at least 20 seconds. This simple technique helps reduce eye strain.
2. Use an ergonomic sitting position
Make sure the screen is at eye level so that your neck doesn't have to constantly bend down.
3. Adjust the screen lighting
Adjust screen brightness so it's neither too bright nor too dark. Also, avoid using gadgets in very dark rooms, as high light contrast can strain your eyes.
4. Limit gadget use before bed
Try to stop using gadgets about one to two hours before bed to ensure optimal sleep quality.
5. Stay hydrated and active
Drink enough water to avoid dehydration and do light stretching every 30–60 minutes when working in front of a computer for long periods.
6. Recognize triggers if you have a history of vertigo.
For those suffering from vestibular disorders or vestibular migraines, it is important to recognize factors that can trigger relapses, including the duration of gadget use, screen light, and lack of sleep.
If symptoms appear more frequently, consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
See a doctor immediately.
Most complaints of dizziness after using gadgets don't necessarily indicate vertigo. However, a medical examination is still necessary if the symptoms persist or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience:
- A spinning sensation that lasts a long time or recurs frequently.
- Balance disorders to difficulty walking.
- Decreased hearing or ringing in the ears.
- Fainting or decreased consciousness.
- Severe headache that appears suddenly.
- Double vision.
- Weakness on one side of the body.
- Difficulty speaking.
The doctor will perform an examination to determine whether the complaint originates from a vestibular disorder, migraine, nerve disorder, or other medical condition so that treatment can be tailored to the cause.
This article was written by Dr. Poek Denny Purbawijaya, Sp.N (Neurology Specialist, EMC Cikarang Hospital).