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Immediately stop playing and consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Parents should
watch for or ask their children about the above symptoms — children and teenagers are more likely than
adults to experience these seizures. The risk of photosensitive epileptic seizures may be reduced by taking
the following precautions:
● Sit farther from the television screen.
● Use a smaller television screen.
● Play in a well-lit room.
● Do not play when you are drowsy or fatigued.
If you or any of your relatives have a history of seizures or epilepsy, consult a doctor before playing.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Use of game controllers, keyboards, mice, or other electronic input devices may be linked to serious injuries
or disorders.
When playing video games, as with many activities, you may experience occasional discomfort in your
hands, arms, shoulders, neck, or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such
as persistent or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning sensation, or
stiffness, DO NOT IGNORE THESE WARNING SIGNS. PROMPTLY SEE A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL,
even if symptoms occur when you are not playing a video game. Symptoms such as these can be associated
with painful and sometimes permanently disabling injuries or disorders of the nerves, muscles, tendons,
blood vessels, and other parts of the body. These musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) include carpal tunnel
syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, vibration syndromes, and other conditions.
While researchers are not yet able to answer many questions about MSDs, there is general agreement that
many factors may be linked to their occurrence, including medical and physical conditions, stress and how
one copes with it, overall health, and how a person positions and uses their body during work and other
activities (including playing a video game). Some studies suggest that the amount of time a person performs
an activity may also be a factor.
Some guidelines that may help you work and play more comfortably and possibly reduce your risk of
experiencing an MSD can be found in the Healthy Gaming Guide (available at www.xbox.com). These
guidelines address topics such as:
● Positioning yourself to use comfortable, not awkward, postures
● Keeping your hands, ngers, and other body parts relaxed
● Taking breaks
● Developing a healthy lifestyle
If you have questions about how your own lifestyle, activities, or medical or physical condition may be
related to MSDs, see a qualied health professional.
