Could Your Smartphone Be Harming Your Heart? New Research Highlights Health Risks
Discover the health risks of smartphone usage and other medical insights in Abdi İbrahim’s latest bulletin. Explore connections between technology, gut health, and DNA damage.
Editors 
Could Your Smartphone Be Harming Your Heart? New Research Highlights Health Risks
Abdi İbrahim Medical Bulletin Explores the Link Between Smartphone Usage and Cardiovascular Health
In the latest issue of its "Scientific Agenda" bulletin, Abdi İbrahim Medical Directorate reveals groundbreaking insights into pressing medical topics. The bulletin highlights significant findings on the relationship between smartphone usage and cardiovascular health, as well as the risks associated with heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes.
Smartphones and Heart Disease: A Growing Concern
An analysis using data from the UK Biobank sheds light on the connection between regular smartphone usage and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study included data from over 440,000 participants without a history of CVD (average age 56, 44% male).
Of the participants, approximately 378,000 were regular smartphone users. Over a follow-up period of 12 years, around 56,000 developed new cardiovascular conditions. Compared to non-users, regular smartphone users showed a higher likelihood of developing carotid artery thickening and other cardiovascular symptoms.
Moreover, the study revealed that individuals who smoked or had diabetes faced a higher cardiovascular risk with smartphone usage as little as once a week.
Gut Health: Long-Term Effects of Gastroenteritis
The bulletin also explores the lasting effects of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) on gut health. A meta-analysis of 47 studies involving over 28,000 participants found that approximately:
- 15% developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- 13% developed Functional Dyspepsia (FD)
The prevalence of IBS was notably higher among individuals with bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Campylobacter (18%). Viral infections resulted in a lower prevalence (11%), while parasitic infections led to a staggering 30% prevalence.
Alarmingly, 40% of IBS patients continued to experience symptoms five years after their initial infection, underscoring the importance of early detection and management of gastrointestinal complications.
Heated Tobacco Products and E-Cigarettes: Hidden Dangers
A study led by Turkish scientists investigated the impact of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on oxidative DNA damage. The participants were divided into five groups:
- Traditional cigarette smokers
- E-cigarette users
- Heated tobacco product users
- Passive smokers
- Non-smokers
Key findings include:
- Users of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are at a significantly higher risk of oxidative DNA damage.
- Flavored e-cigarettes posed a greater risk than unflavored varieties.
These findings underscore the need for increased awareness about the health risks of these products, often marketed as safer alternatives.
Accessible Information Through Podcasts and More
The "Scientific Agenda" bulletins are designed to present medical advancements in an easily digestible format. Distributed via email to over 38,000 subscribers, they are also available on the Abdi İbrahim website. Additionally, the content is converted into podcasts and uploaded to Spotify and YouTube, ensuring accessibility to a wider audience.
