Lifestyle

Doctor's advice for reducing headaches while stuck inside and staring at screens


Although some of the people who have tested positive for Covid-19 have reported having headaches it has not yet been listed as an official symptom by the NHS.

Instead people are warned to look out for a fever and persistent dry cough as a sign of the virus.

However, this hasn’t stopped people suffering with headaches during the coronavirus lockdown from worrying about their health.

OnBuy’s medical department discovered a huge surge in Google searches for headaches over the past seven days.

Specifically researchers found a 4,450 percent increase in searches for ‘Covid headache’, a
2,900 percent increase in searches for ‘is headache sign of coronavirus ’ and a 250 percent increase in searches for ‘tension headache relief’.

They believe the influx of people experiencing headaches is in fact due to the amount of time we are all now spending at home on screens.

As a result, OnBuy spoke to Doctor Aragona Giuseppe, GP and medical advisor at Prescription Doctor, who shared some advice on what we can all do to reduce the severity of headaches.

The medical expert said: “It’s no secret that over exposure to screens can cause cluster headaches as well as problems with eyesight.

“Now that we are all working from home and spending a lot more time behind screens these headaches are likely to increase.

“One thing you can do which may help prevent these types of screen-related headaches are to invest in blue light blocking glasses. Blue light is the harmful light transmitted from screens such as a computer, phone and iPad and if used excessively it can cause headaches and eye issues.

“Blue light blocking glasses have filters in their lenses that will either block or absorb blue light as well as UV light from getting through. If you wear these glasses whilst watching a screen, predominantly at night or in a dimly lit room, they can help reduce your exposure to blue light waves.”

You should take regular breaks from the computer (stock photo)

As well as this, the doctor recommends limiting your screen time, keeping your main screen time for work, if you are working for home and then in the evening instead of watching TV or going on social media, try doing a different activity such as reading, gentle exercise or playing a board game.

Dr Giuseppe adds: “All these types of activities will give your eyes a break.

“You should also be ensuring that you take regular breaks from work like you would normally, such as taking a full hour at lunch and regular breaks to walk and stretch and have a break from the screen.

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Coronavirus prevention

“You should also make full use of your daily exercise break and go outside for a walk and get some fresh air in your lungs and oxygen to the blood and brain.

“Ensure you are eating a nutritious diet as well as drinking enough water each day to stay hydrated. Eight glasses a day is recommended.”





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