Gamers are an interesting group. They'll stand in line for days with the hope of scoring that just-announced console or game. They'll play hour upon hour in order to master the latest game. They'll sacrifice all human contact (and sometimes hygiene) to hone their skills and advance their level of play. Yes, gamers are a frightening bunch.

After living with a gamer (and being friends with many), I can safely say that there are definitely some risks involved when it comes to this level of dedicated gaming. I'm talking about "health" risks. Watch carefully and you'll see them limp after a particularly heated session with the DDR mat, or they'll complain of a tingling sensation in their hand after 5 hours with Grand Theft Auto IV. Oh, and that lump on their head? That's from swinging the Wii controller too high.

It's hard to believe that so much pain and suffering can be associated with, well, playing a game. But the gamer's devotion is real. According to the NPD Group, 63 percent of the U.S. population plays video games. That's a whole lot of people that are "at risk." If you're at all concerned about your friend's mental state or your significant other's back pain, peruse our tongue-in-cheek gaming medical guide, complete with "reported" symptoms, diagnoses, causes, and treatments. Have some sympathy friends.

Gaming Injuries:

Symptoms: Sore shoulders, elbow tenderness
Diagnosis: Wiiitis
Causes: Playing Nintendo Wii Sports, such as Tennis and Golf. The simulation of "real" movements can aggravate muscles.
Treatments: Spain native Dr. Julio Bonis recommends taking ibuprofen for one week and refraining from playing Wii video games until you've healed.

Recommended by Our Editors

Acer Launching Streaming-Only Handheld Gaming PC

Valve's Steam Deck Is Back in Stock, But It Comes With a Shocking Price Hike

No Steam Machine Scalpers? Reservation System May Be Ready At Launch

Symptoms: Sore thumb, aches, twisted wrist, shoulder pain
Diagnosis: Rock Band Hand
Causes: Extended strumming (such as hitting the strum bar so many times during "Run to the Hills") and keeping your hand around the guitar fret for hours can lead to this dreaded Rock Band condition. May also irritate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Treatments: Apply cool packs over the afflicted areas. Schedule an appointment with your masseuse. Refrain from head banging for a week.

Symptoms: Blisters, paraesthesia, thumb swelling
Diagnosis: Nintendo Thumb
Causes: Due to the excess use of the game controller, gamers can develop a form of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). A PC Mag staff member developed Nintendo Thumb after trying to execute the Zangief pile driver in Street Fighter.
Treatments: Hand exercises. Apply ice to the thumb to reduce swelling.

Symptoms: Twinges in the hand and wrist
Diagnosis: WASD Wrist
Causes: Happens while unwittingly holding your hand at a funny angle during an extended bout of first-person shooters.
Treatments: Invest in an ergonomic keyboard, such as the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000.

Next: More Gaming Injuries >