DIGITALIZATION AS A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE FACTOR: THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD ON HUMAN NERVOUS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

The increasing digitization of everyday life is associated with the increasing exposure of the population to informational, sensory, and social stimuli originating from screen devices and digital media. The digital environment is not a classically understood environmental factor; its impact on the body exhibits characteristics of a chronic stressor, affecting the functions of the neuroimmunoendocrine axis, neuroplasticity processes, and the regulation of the immune response. The aim of this study was to review current data on the impact of information overload and digital overstimulation on the human nervous and immune systems, as well as to assess the validity of considering the digital environment as a new form of environmental exposure in the context of public health. Research published between 2018 and 2025 in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was analyzed. This included: population based correlation studies between screen time and markers of stress and inflammation, fMRI studies illustrating changes in brain structure and function during digital overload, animal models examining the effects of sensory overstimulation on the HPA axis and immunity, and randomized intervention trials on reducing screen time. The review found consistent evidence of chronic activation of the HPA axis under digital stress, leading to elevated cortisol levels, impaired neurogenesis, and decreased parasympathetic activity. Brain changes are also observed that correlate with symptoms of depression, insomnia, and attention deficits. Reduced immunity and increased inflammatory markers were demonstrated. Interventions limiting digital exposure resulted in significant reductions in cortisol and CRP levels. The digital environment meets the criteria for an environmental stressor with a real impact on the nervous and immune systems. Digital hygiene should become an integral component of public health strategies, prevention, and the design of work and learning environments

Clinical History of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy—How to Improve the Initiation Process of the Diagnosis?

Background: Regardless of genetic origin and recommended screening methods, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is commonly diagnosed late in the advanced stages of the disease. The aim of this study was to analyse the case history of patients with HCM in order to obtain an initiation of the diagnostic process. Methods: This study was a retrospective, tertiary, single-centre cohort analysis of 85 consecutive pts with HCM (mean age at the time of HCM diagnosis: 51 ± 15 years; F/M: 42/43) who were hospitalized during the period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2022. Type of referral to the hospital, the reason for hospitalization as well as accompanying symptoms, comorbidities, and family history were analysed to obtain an initiation of the diagnostic process. The analysis was limited to hospitalizations in which the diagnosis of HCM was stated for the first time. Results: An analysis of the type of referral to the hospital revealed the following data: 18% of patients were admitted as urgent hospitalizations (UHs) and 82% as elective hospitalizations (EHs). Among the UHs, the majority of patients were transferred from another hospital (13%), and among the EHs, 65% of patients were referred from a specialised outpatient medical care (SMC) facility. The majority of patients in both the UH and EH groups were symptomatic: 84% in the EH group (the most common symptom was exertional dyspnea in 56% of pts) and 93% in the UH group (the most common symptom was syncope in 60% of pts). Among the analysed population, the most frequent comorbidities were systemic hypertension (51%), lipid metabolism disorders (38%) and obesity (23%). Conclusions: A diagnosis of HCM is often made at an advanced age in symptomatic patients, mainly during an EH. Nearly one-fifth of the Polish HCM population is diagnosed during a UH after a sudden event, which suggests the need for improvements in medical care in Poland