Doctor issues warning over 'texting thumb' as your smartphone could give you painful condition

A doctor has issued a warning over a painful health issue that can be caused from using your phone too much.

Now, it's no secret that nowadays, most of us are guilty of being glued to our smartphones 24/7, whether it be texting, playing games, or scrolling mindlessly through social media.

And some of us will even have clear memories of our parents often blaming the handheld device for every minor illness - and it looks like they maybe had a point.

The health condition in question is tendonitis, or as it's more commonly known, 'texting thumb'.

Have you ever noticed a throbbing pain, swelling, and stiffness at the base of your thumb?

As we say, excessive use of your phone could be the culprit.

As per the NHS, tendonitis is when a tendon swells after an injury, causing joint pain and stiffness, as well as affecting how the tendon moves.

Your smartphone could be the cause of a painful health issue (Getty Stock Image)

There are tendons all over your body as they connect your muscles to bones in your joints, for example, in your knees, elbows and shoulders.

But the tendons in particular that are associated with 'texting thumb' are, of course, the ones in your hands.

The main symptoms of tendonitis are:

• Pain in a tendon that gets worse when you move
• Difficulty moving the joint
• Feeling a grating or crackling sensation when you move the tendon
• Swelling, sometimes with heat or redness

As reported by Today, excessive texting can cause the tendons in your thumb can lead to tendonitis.

Dr. Natalie Azar, NBC News medical contributor and rheumatologist at NYU Langone Health, told the publication that the habit can also lead to further complications.

She explained: "The constant flexion and extension of the thumb can trigger tendonitis.

"It can also lead to a kind of tendonitis called tenosynovitis, which is when you not only have the tendons inflamed, but also the tendon sheath is inflamed."

Repetitive typing and swiping on your phone can lead to tendonitis (Getty Stock Image)

The expert added: "Tendonitis or tenosynovitis of that area can be the reason that people have pain, and not have anything to do with arthritis."

Tenosynovitis can cause pain at the base of the thumb and the thumb side of the wrist, which can even radiate up the forearm.

It's also known as De Quervain's tenosynovitis and isn't actually as new of a condition as you may think.

Doing repetitive motions with your thumbs and wrist at work or for a hobby are common causes, as is repeatedly picking up a baby, which is why it's also earned the nickname of 'mommy's thumb'.

Unsurprisingly, the best way to alleviate the pain of 'texting thumb,' is to simply give your fingers a break and put your phone down for a bit.

In more serious cases, a brace can support your joints and tendons when not in us and stretching exercises can keep your hand and fingers loose to help prevent injury.

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