Email Apnea: It's Real & Can Cause Long-Term Effects

Most are aware of apnea that is a condition that on stops breathing while asleep for a period of time. Those with sleep apnea can stop breathing many times in a period of just one hour. Their breathing can be interrupted for up to 50 seconds or more each time this occurs. It is estimated that around seventy million Americans suffer from sleep apnea each and every year. Likewise it is unknown how many suffer from email apnea everyday in this country.

As strange as it may sound at first thought, email apnea is a real phenomenon. We as a society are holding our breath while reading our email? A woman by the name of Linda Stone first recognized the condition. Linda Stone researches the connections between individuals and machinery. Email apnea was first brought to attention when she wrote of it in February of 2008. After reading of Linda Stone findings, many realized immediately that they indeed do this as well. This could answer some questions as to why one may feel stressed or fatigued when they begin to spend time on their computer.

While email apnea may not have the same affects as sleep apnea, it can give off some side affects. One should take time to think when they are reading and opening their email if they are in fact, holding their breath will go through this task. Many not only hold their breath during certain points, they also begin shallow breathing as well as hyperventilating in some instances. Linda Stone began to do a bit of research on the matter and consulted various scientists to learn if this really had any impact on those who use this technology everyday. The finding were when one holds their breath, hyperventilates, or breathes shallow this can effect their health, short-term as well as long-term.

The vagus nerve that controls body muscles and the body's system is affected by lack of air. The vagus nerve controls responses in the body. Responses from the vagus nerve then release various chemicals into the system, which befuddle the body's system, and makes on become tense during the process. Many Americans struggle with weight gain. Apnea or lack of oxygen has been linked to weight gain.