Given how fast 20-somethings' thumbs glide across their smartphones, you might think they're training for the Texting Olympics. It turns out that heavy texters do have something in common with elite athletes: It's not the glory, endurance or cheering crowds - but a vulnerability to overuse injury. The Cleveland Clinic Wellness editors say that in this age of constant communication, it's not just attention spans that can take a hit, but thumbs too.

Sending frequent text messages using just your thumbs can create abnormal thickening of the tendons and lead to tendinitis. A few messages a day won't put you at risk, but an average of 38 a day (or roughly two an hour) puts you in the frequent-texters club.Use your fingers to text instead of your thumbs, and use the voice-to-text function when practical.Ortrade in some texts for good old-fashioned calls.