First it was the risk of repetitive strain injury from texting, then came the ‘recall impairment’ from ringtones followed by brain damage. And now, the latest menace of the wired age is being described as “mobile phone elbow”.
According to health experts, mobile users who hold the phone to their ear for prolonged periods are at risk of developing the painful condition in their arm. By bending their elbow too tightly, and for too long, they could overextend the ulnar nerve, which runs from the elbow to control our ring and little fingers, reports The Daily Express.
As well as being painful, this can lead to tingling or numbness from the elbow to the fingers.
Sufferers of the condition can find it difficult to perform tasks, such as opening jars, and may need anti-inflammatory injections or even surgery.
orthopaedic specialists in the US say they are seeing increasing numbers of patients with the condition.
As for advice to fight the “elbow”, experts suggest mobile users to switch the handset from hand to hand every often.
Dr Peter Evans, director of a hand clinic in Cleveland, US, said: “Women tend to get it more, not because they talk longer but because of hormonal fluctuations in their body.”
For six-year-old married couple Varun and Sakshi, respect and understanding always remained vital elements that bound them together. But the bliss
Casual yet offensive habit of using too much slang while talking isn't good for a relationship (Getty Images)
was short-lived as Sakshi soon felt that Varun had a habit of using abusive words in their casual conversations and this was a hurtful trait. Thereafter, problems, misunderstandings and arguments started brewing in their love paradise.
Likewise, many couplesare putting their relationship at stake due to their casual, yet offensive habit of using too much slang while talking. This abusive lingo has its own pros and cons in a relationship and it’s obviously for the person on the receiving end to decide how they want to take it. While some accept abusive lingo in a lighter vain, others feel affronted and some may even revert back in a same or even worse manner.
Experts say that being verbally abusive can affect a relationship. It may make the bond weak and lead to a lack of understanding and respect for each other. Or it may create a greater level of candidness between partners and they can be more open with each other while using such words frequently during a conversation.
Clinical psychologist Dr Ratan Kumar explains “Usage of slang words and too much of abusive lingo can be attributed to television reality shows that depict contestants talking in such manner without any inhibitions. Even the beep sounds are of no use because the words are quite common and can be easily understood by the viewers. So young individuals tend to pick up these words and by default it becomes a part of their routine life and relationships.”
Dr. Gitanjali Sharma, a marriage and relationship counselor adds, “Bringing in abusive words while talking to your mate by and large has negative effects on the relationship. It not only deteriorates the bond that a couple shares, but also instills a feeling of disrespect for each other. It’s as simple that if you’re trying to convey a message to your partner and you are using abusive words more than what is actually required, the main subject gets ignored and the focus shifts to your way of talking, which is repulsive for the other partner. This creates troubles followed by endless confrontations.”
Broadly, the recipients to such verbal abusive can be divided into four categories and their individualistic behaviour decides the fate of their relationship...
Come on, it’s just fun Most individuals won’t prefer making a mountain out of a molehill. Even if their mate uses certain slangs, they accept it in good humour, without reacting in an angry manner.
Dr. Ratan opines, “There might be very few couples who tolerate their partner’s abusive behaviour, but if you choose to do so, your main intention should be to calmly confront your partner. While not ignoring anything, you won’t even react in a rebellious way. Here, you are making an effort to create a comfort zone by accepting his/her behaviour in a candid way and gradually finding a chance to tell your partner whenever they cross the line.”
Please mind your language Well, these are partners who can't tolerate any abuses whatsoever. For them, respect is the key to a lasting relationship and thus they make their preferences very clear in terms of maintaining a level of decency. They don’t welcome any verbal abusing and are likely to get highly offended if ever such a situation arises.
“In this case scenario, you are actually making it very clear to the other partner where they need to draw a line, which will help create a better level of understanding in the future. But there should be a proper way to tell your partner about what bothers you. Shed all inhibitions and be assertive while expressing your needs, expectations, likes and dislikes in your relationship,’ suggests Dr. Ratan.
Give it back on their face For a lot of individuals, it’s really not a matter of concern as to how their rude behaviour can affect their relationship. All they have in mind is a revengeful attitude, which makes them behave in a similar way as the other partner did.
Dr. Gitanjali elucidates, “When you decide to give it back to your partner, it clearly shows that you didn’t like something they said or did. By reacting in the same manner, either you are attempting to hurt the person the way they did or you want to make them realise how it feels to be abused by someone. But overall, this practice of receiving and giving it back is only likely to aggravate the problem and not solve it.”
I don’t give it a damn Let us not forget couples who can do anything to salvage their relationship. It may appear to be a sign of acting vulnerable in a relationship, but some partners are okay with their partner's abusive ways.
“The habit of tolerating your partner’s abusive behaviour may make you happy for the moment, but it could create problems in the long run. In the process of ignoring their actions completely, you end up giving an impression that you are cool and comfortable with their behaviour. Also, the partner indulging in abusing gets the encouragement that his ill demeanour is acceptable in our relationship and thus they would never come out of it,” feels Gitanjali.
