This is a guest post by Kyle Simpson. Kyle writes for Medical Billing and Coding Online where you can find more information about a career in medical billing and coding.

Whether you’re busy putting out the flames on a burning crusade, avoiding the wrath of the Lich King, or trying to stop a cataclysm, you’re probably having a good old time WoW-ing it up.  And if you’re one of the millions of subscribers to the world’s largest MMORPG (yeah, that’s a long acronym for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), then you may be interested to know some of the many ways in which your habit, er, hobby could be affecting your health.

Let’s just start by saying it’s not all bad.  Pursuing your interests is important.  Our culture places such an emphasis on hard work, long hours, and job devotion that it’s no wonder our stress levels (and attendant ailments) are at an all-time high.  Online gaming is a great way to reduce stress, exercise your mind, and escape from all the troubles of your daily life for awhile.  In addition, it never hurts to work towards achievable goals.  Success, in any arena, will help to build confidence.  Gaming can also hone your motor skills (whether you’re using a keypad or a joystick) and improve your language abilities.  Finally, it is a great way to meet new people and connect with a group of like-minded individuals in friendly competition.

Now, that said, there can also be a number of health risks associated with online gaming.  In terms of physical disorders, the list is extensive.  Sitting for long periods of time can cause issues in your body alignment that lead to aches, pains, minor injuries, and even scoliosis, so if you plan to spend a lot of time at the computer, invest in an ergonomic chair.  Persistent hand movements (such as typing and moving a mouse) can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive-motion injuries (believe it or not, you can get sprains from repeated wrist movements). 

So if you notice pain, stiffness, or weakness in your wrists and arms, consider a brace that will keep them in line and prevent side-to-side motion.  You may also find yourself squinting after a while at a blurry screen.  Eye strain is fairly common for anyone who stares at a monitor for an extended period of time, so just make sure to spend a few moments focusing on something far away at intervals of approximately twenty minutes.

Finally, and it has to be said, lack of exercise due to a prolonged sedentary lifestyle can lead to all kinds of problems.  This is not to say that all WoW-ers are addicts, glued to their computers 24/7, eschewing a real life for one of simulated companionship and adventure (not that I would have any experience in that department…oh, EverQuest, why hast thou forsaken me?) but people who engage in online gaming occasionally do fit the stereotype of genius loner.  In any case, people who sit for a large portion of the day may eventually suffer from decreased circulation and muscle loss, while the inclusion of a poor diet (I think Flaming Hot Cheetos and Mountain Dew ought to be the official sponsors of online gaming) can lead to weight gain (and subsequent disorders).

However, the lifestyle of an online gamer certainly doesn’t have to conform to any one set of standards.  Like everything in life, moderation is the key to being healthy, happy, and well-adjusted.  So if you find yourself cloistered with your keyboard, think about finding ways to get out more, like possibly meeting your online buddies for coffee sometime to discuss other interests.  Or schedule in some exercise to ensure that your body is as fit as your mind.  There are many ways to be active (physically, mentally, and emotionally) so for the best health, make WoW part of a multi-faceted life, instead of pursuing it at the expense of everything else.