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In a recent CSI Miami episode, it featured the death of a student through playing on-line multiplayer games. The death was as a result of the victim not moving from his seat for several days (he had urinated in a bucket next to his seat) and drinking only energy drinks high in caffeine. His body just gave out in the form of a heart attack as he was so dehydrated from the caffeine drinks, lack of food and high stress of the game. However, unbelieveable as it may have seemed, this episode really highlighted how people became obsessed with the games they played.

It is not surprising to see in December 2005, a 38-year-old South Korean man collapsed and died after a marathon game session that lasted over 10 days. However, in Agust of the same year, a 28-year-old player died after a session lasting just 2 days.

There have been reports into this issue that have sought to identify why the body reacts in this way. The following factors are believed to lead to serious health risks that could result in death:

Stress

Caused by the overwhelming desire to win and huge amounts of concentration

Physical Exhaustion

The gamers exert a great deal of energy in trying to win but actually consume very few calories to replenish the energy they use. When you add the lack of sleep, through playing continually, the body is pushed to its limits and the stress level goes sky high.

Eye Strain

The sudden visual stimulation on screen can irritate a part of the brain called the cerebral cortex. This can be particularly so if there has been a long period of dull coloured images on screen and a sudden flash of colour. This reaction in the brain can cause death.

Competitive Environment

The way in which games are played now has also added to the stress. When playing on-line, you are playing against millions of players and you are in a position where you can never win. This is quite different from how games were played before multi-players as once you mastered the rules and techniques, you would win again and again and very few people could take away your crown.

Risk to Children and Teens

Of course the worrying trend is to encourage younger and younger children to get gripped by playing on line, so even football games can now be played on-line. Where teenagers are playing such games, a few quick tips to help reduce possible health issues can be put in place.

* Make sure the room they play in is well ventilated and full of natural light.

* Encourage regular breaks away from the screen tempting snacks in the kitchen, to give the eyes a break.

* Drink plenty of non-fizzy fluids.

- fresh air and physical activity after a session of playing to wake up the body

Learn more about this author, Isabel Sacks.
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