Last updated on January 6th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Can Fitbit cause headaches? The technology is undoubtedly designed to improve health, but is it possible it has negative effects too?
Fitbit is a company that markets fitness technology products. The company deals with a broad range of products, each having a slight difference in features.
The main purpose of the devices is to track steps and activity.
The most widely used ones are worn like watches while the older models used were clipped onto the clothing. Fitbits can be compared to a basic school pedometer.
Although Fitbit’s are embedded with a whole lot of advanced features, besides the fact that they are more accurate too.
From tracking sleep patterns to monitoring oxygen levels in the body, a Fitbit is a complete fitness tracker for the human body. Not just regulating, Fitbit bands are also conducive to regulating sleep.
The fact that this device can track the heart rate too, can be a major life-saver at times.
Keeping in view the numerous benefits, this device has been a major demand for the last couple of years. But like everything that finds its existence on the planet, technology has two facets.
From an extreme obsession with the technology to its adverse effects on the body, Fitbits have been sometimes known to bring discomfort too.
What are the Side Effects of Wearing a Fitbit?
Fitbits are electrical devices. There is a probability that they might cause injury if not handled properly.
A report from CBS New York claimed that a person experienced electric shock waves while the device was still on.
The wave left a sore lump on his wrist & a temporary numbness in his hand.
Studies have also proved that the use of fitness trackers triggers a dopamine rush in the body, that in turn, might induce feelings of –
- Anxiety
- panic
- Sadness and
- Guilt
Besides the fact that this device can cause compulsive behavior, it might also be the cause of eating disorders.
Quite often the undue dietary restraints by the tracker take a toll on the body leading to inappropriate eating habits.
Counting the cons of a Bluetooth device would be incomplete without bringing up EMF Exposure. A Bluetooth appliance uses radiofrequency EMF for connection.
The proximity between the body and the band along with prolonged usage leads to a voluminous emission of EMF which is known to cause biological triggers in the body.
Can Smartwatches give you Headaches?
Wearing a smartwatch 24*7 is likely to be the cause of prolonged EMF radiation.
These radiations induce headaches. Here is how a Fitbit band can cause headaches –
- Disturbed sleep patterns
A lot of users monitor their sleeping cycle patterns by putting them on while they sleep.
Besides the fact that radiation might be a deterrent to sound sleep, being over-conscious of the band remarks might disturb sleep routine too.
And a disturbed sleep routine is a major cause of headaches.
- Dysmorphia
Fitbit users are often habitual of examining their band remarks every other minute. While that may keep the user up-to-date with their inner functioning, on the flip side, it also leads to distractions at work.
Inconsistency and disorientation at work and in personal life result in a headache.
If someone is experiencing a headache for a good part of the day repeatedly then a key factor could be exposure to the device radiation.
Can Fitbit Trackers cause Muscle Pain?
Fitbit trackers can be a great tool for getting ourselves into great shape.
While they directly don’t do anything, they sure act as great reminders for actions and precautions. But these trackers have even a dark side that concerns our muscles.
- The muscles of the band area start to lose their strength due to the consistent pressure that’s exerted by the fingers and the hand.
- The fact that there is constant pulling while the band is on, puts the joints & the muscles under more pressure. And that, in turn, leads to stiffness in the muscles.
- Wearing a Fitbit makes the user utilize their upper body more. And for some reason, it is against natural human physiology. It makes your body push with more effort wherever it is strapped in the body.
So apparently, Fitbit trackers can be a major cause of muscle pain. But if used with a certain relaxation, the pain and discomfort could be surely averted.
Fitbit Tingling and Dizziness
About two years back one of the users of the Fitbit band shared a concerning report in the Fitbit community.
According to him, he experienced some strange tingling sensations while he was working out on the treadmill at a moderate speed of 4.3 mph.
While getting examined at the doctor’s there seemed no signs of heart attack or anything off track.
There are even more instances where Fitbit users complained of dizziness and heavy heads while the band was on. There is not any specific evidence that proves the tracker is the culprit.
But it is believed that the rays can sometimes take over the neural system of the body under certain extreme internal and external situations.
Can Fitbit cause Breast Cancer?
Several studies have examined cases and come up with the conclusion that there is no direct nexus between breast cancer and the usage of Fitbit.
Even the NCI states that all the carcinogenic claims made against Fitbits have been debunked. And it goes on to say that more research is needed on cell phones because technology is changing rapidly.
However, the fact that the results are in our favour doesn’t mean the worst couldn’t be assumed. Blue rays and EMF radiations are subject serious enough for every concerned being.
Can Wearing Fitbit cause Hair Loss?
There are a lot of causes that lead to hair loss. One of the medically proven ones is-
- Hormonal Conditions (especially in women)
- Medications
- Emotional Stress
- Poor Nutrition
- Infections &
- Medical Conditions (say, Lupus)
No studies haven’t yet proven that Fitbits can be a reason behind hair loss. Although there is a possibility that the material used in the band might cause an allergy to the scalp.
As for precaution, any treatment that causes inflammation of hair follicles must be avoided for one to contain the loss.
FAQ Related to Fitbits and Headaches
Devices like Fitbits have been a major topic ever since their inception. Not only are they helping us track our medical conditions but proving to be a breakthrough in the health & fitness line.
Here are a few frequently asked questions related to the device.
What do Fitbits do?
A Fitbit is a fitness tracker that records data based on daily activities and exercise. Although the exact feature varies from model to model.
But almost all bands can record the steps one takes, their heart rate, O2 rate etc.
Does Fitbit Directly cause a Headache?
EMR exposure is the major cause of uncomfortable experiences like headache, nausea, irritation etc. It is advised to turn the airplane mode on and maintain a distance from the device every day for a certain time to lessen the exposure.
How Does Overdependence on the Device Fails Its Purpose?
Even though the device is a means of keeping the track of one’s inner workings, it has a flip side.
The overdependence on it can distract one’s focus from the achievement of a fit mind and body to dependency on data and records. Its domino effect can be witnessed in both personal and professional life.
Is Fitbit Radiation Harmful?
A Fitbit is connected to your smartphone by Bluetooth. Bluetooth is an electronic magnetic wave, further classified as a microwave that can penetrate human skin.
These waves have high frequency & short wavelengths. Even though a short-term exposure might just be negligible, a prolonged frontage can lead to differential effects on the cells and genes.
Some users even experience Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS) which is a condition caused by over-susceptibility to the rays.
Syndromes like these may not manifest themselves immediately, but unfortunately, they have the potential to alter the intricate biological structuring of the human body.
Does a Smartwatch Cause Headaches?
Dizziness, nausea and headache might be a common experience among people who wear smartwatches all day long and even go on to track their sleep patterns by wearing them all night.
Wearing smartwatches during sleep raises hindrances in the normal sleep cycle and the blue light hurts the eyes.
Blue light has been proven to regulate the circadian cycle of the body. Overexposure leads to deregulation of natural functioning, headache is one of the results.
Do Fitbits Give You Radiation?
The radiation emitted from Fitbit trackers is minimal. The maximum output ranges somewhere from 0.5 to 1% output of the cell phone power.
Bluetooth emits between the range of 800MHz to 2 GHz which is also believed to be negligible to the human body.
However, the combined prolonged emissions from both the Fitbit and the cell phone can be the alarming cause of the unnatural functionality of the cells and the brain.
Considering all the facets of the device, there may not be any absolute justification for the disadvantages of Fitbit usage. The only factors that one needs to consider include the period for which it has been used, extreme external conditions and the noticeable inner mechanisms.
