Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy'

**Adam** · 4th August 2007, 08:09 AM

Hmm, would this effect UO? heh

Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy'

By Vaudine England
BBC News, Hong Kong

The study said the syndrome affects more men than women

A study by doctors in Hong Kong has concluded that epilepsy can be induced by the Chinese tile game of mahjong.

The findings, published in the Hong Kong Medical Journal, were based on 23 cases of people who had suffered mahjong-induced seizures.

The report's four authors, from Hong Kong's Queen Mary Hospital, said the best prevention - and cure - was to avoid playing mahjong.

The study led the doctors to define mahjong epilepsy as a unique syndrome.

Epileptic seizures can be provoked by a wide variety of triggers, but one cause increasingly evident to researchers is the playing - or even watching - of mahjong.

This Chinese tile game, played by four people round a table, can involve gambling and quickly becomes compulsive.

Demanding

The game, which is intensely social and sometimes played in crowded mahjong parlours, involves the rapid movement of tiles in marathon sessions.

The doctors conclude that the syndrome affects far more men than women; that their average age is 54; and that it can hit sufferers anywhere between one to 11 hours into a mahjong game.

They say the attacks were not just caused by sleep deprivation or gambling stress.

Mahjong is cognitively demanding, drawing on memory, fast calculations, concentration, reasoning and sequencing.

The distinctive design of mahjong tiles, and the sound of the tiles crashing onto the table, may contribute to the syndrome.

The propensity of Chinese people to play mahjong also deserves further study, the doctors say.

What is certain though, is that the only sure way to avoid mahjong epilepsy, is to avoid mahjong, which for many people is easier said than done.

Petra · 4th August 2007, 09:10 AM

I friggin' LOVE Mahjong!!!!

This is horrible news about my 2nd favorite game...

damnit!

**Adri** · 4th August 2007, 10:09 AM

I've seen where video games or such can cause seizures due to the flashing lights, music, etc. This is the first time I have heard of a tile game doing the same. Hmmmm.

**Snugglebunny** · 4th August 2007, 10:13 AM

Very interesting indeed! My ex BF had epelipsy and we went to see What Dreams May Come at the movies and we had to leave because he felt like he was going to have a seizure. Stuff like that, never board games

**Tabbitha** · 4th August 2007, 10:20 AM

This is just Adams latest reason why he took Mahjong from the Arcade

[ j/k]

4th August 2007, 08:09 AM	#1
Adam Lead Administrator Owner Join Date: Oct 1990 Posts: 6,249 Gold: 102,163 My Mood: Thanks: 53 Thanked 711 Times in 222 Posts	Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy' Hmm, would this effect UO? heh Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy' By Vaudine England BBC News, Hong Kong The study said the syndrome affects more men than women A study by doctors in Hong Kong has concluded that epilepsy can be induced by the Chinese tile game of mahjong. The findings, published in the Hong Kong Medical Journal, were based on 23 cases of people who had suffered mahjong-induced seizures. The report's four authors, from Hong Kong's Queen Mary Hospital, said the best prevention - and cure - was to avoid playing mahjong. The study led the doctors to define mahjong epilepsy as a unique syndrome. Epileptic seizures can be provoked by a wide variety of triggers, but one cause increasingly evident to researchers is the playing - or even watching - of mahjong. This Chinese tile game, played by four people round a table, can involve gambling and quickly becomes compulsive. Demanding The game, which is intensely social and sometimes played in crowded mahjong parlours, involves the rapid movement of tiles in marathon sessions. The doctors conclude that the syndrome affects far more men than women; that their average age is 54; and that it can hit sufferers anywhere between one to 11 hours into a mahjong game. They say the attacks were not just caused by sleep deprivation or gambling stress. Mahjong is cognitively demanding, drawing on memory, fast calculations, concentration, reasoning and sequencing. The distinctive design of mahjong tiles, and the sound of the tiles crashing onto the table, may contribute to the syndrome. The propensity of Chinese people to play mahjong also deserves further study, the doctors say. What is certain though, is that the only sure way to avoid mahjong epilepsy, is to avoid mahjong, which for many people is easier said than done. RMS Carpathia: actually the way the iron golems look in this game.. it looks like trailer trash redneck borgs.. because they are just diffrent metals all put togeather and when they walk they look like they are going to fall over Get your own personal forum Like these ones - Personal forum listing Bored @ work? Play in our arcade! Useful Tips on how to use UOForums Open your own blog

4th August 2007, 09:10 AM	#2
Petra Knowledge is power, and power corrupts. So study hard and be evil. Join Date: Dec 2006 Shard: WoW Perenolde/Blackwater Raiders Posts: 1,383 Gold: 1,762 My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy' I friggin' LOVE Mahjong!!!! This is horrible news about my 2nd favorite game... damnit! Siggy courtesy of Nevaeh, thank you!

4th August 2007, 10:09 AM	#3
Adri Wearing metal panties in a lightning storm Join Date: May 2004 Shard: Pacific/Landroval Posts: 3,756 Gold: 5,601 My Mood: Thanks: 175 Thanked 93 Times in 65 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy' I've seen where video games or such can cause seizures due to the flashing lights, music, etc. This is the first time I have heard of a tile game doing the same. Hmmmm. We are all broken and wounded in this world. Some choose to grow strong at the broken places. --Harold J. Duarte-Bernhardt Thanks to Atlas for the fantastic sig!

4th August 2007, 10:13 AM	#4
Snugglebunny ♥Yr Mangled Heart♥ Join Date: Mar 2006 Shard: Black Water Raiders Posts: 8,755 Gold: 6,535 My Mood: Thanks: 213 Thanked 48 Times in 35 Posts	Re: Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy' Very interesting indeed! My ex BF had epelipsy and we went to see What Dreams May Come at the movies and we had to leave because he felt like he was going to have a seizure. Stuff like that, never board games Sig courtsey of Nevaeh. He rawwwwks! AdamD: You made me cry tears of pink sadness and despair! "Two Minutes in Heaven is Better then One Minute in Heaven." I'm not wearing my business socks for nothing Last edited by Snugglebunny; 4th August 2007 at 10:13 AM.

4th August 2007, 10:20 AM	#5
Tabbitha Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Shard: Europa/Snowbourn Posts: 5,896 Gold: 49,090 Blog Entries: 6 Thanks: 208 Thanked 205 Times in 116 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Re: Mahjong game 'can cause epilepsy' This is just Adams latest reason why he took Mahjong from the Arcade [ j/k]

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