Many of us do not think of the health hazards of our jobs.
Who can fault us for that? The job market is getting more
competitive with fewer spaces.
Many are just grateful for any gainful and profitable
opportunity to earn a living. However, a new research by
British scientists suggests that the thing to consider when
taking up an employment should be the risk it poses to the
health of our hearts.
The study reveals that people’s hearts are ageing “faster
than their owners” because of the stress and the long hours,
they spend at work.
The researchers, from the British National Health Care
Service, after surveying 8,000 patients, observed that some
occupations involved some lifestyle changes that could
predispose them to diabetes and heart diseases.
According to the physicians, workers in industries
pioneering health and wellbeing initiatives, such as
teaching, medicine and information services had better
heart health among their employees compared to those
working in transport, property and construction industries.
Consultant cardiologist, Dr. Tosin Akinsanya, says although
most people do not think of heart disease as occupational
hazard, certain jobs may increase one’s risk of heart
attacks and other problems.
According to him, work-related factors — such as sitting
stress, irregular work hours, and exposure to certain
chemicals or pollution — can also harm one’s heart.
The specialist notes that people who run shift jobs are at
risk of suffering from sleep disorders, such as apnea,
dementia as well as other neurological and cardiovascular
diseases if they continue at those jobs for more than 25
years.
Akinsanya explains, “Rotating shift, a schedule common
among doctors, nurses and others, is linked to a higher risk
of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Shift work itself may
disrupt circadian rhythm, the “body clock” that plays a
role in blood sugar, blood pressure, and insulin regulation.
“People in this occupation have to sleep at odd hours, they
have to work many shifts. So, it is impossible for their
bodies to have an internal clock or sleep pattern. They also
have to respond to emergencies. That means they are
inactive for many hours and suddenly active for nine hours
at a stretch doing surgeries or monitoring patients in a
critical condition.
“This kind of work wrecks your physical, mental and
emotional health. Because they do not sleep well, it is
confusing for the body to know when to use their cholesterol
and glucose, which is a factor that can cause heart
diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure. They must not
stay at these jobs for too long. If they have to, they must be
as active as athletes.”
The cardiologist adds that people who work desk jobs that
require that they sit for at least six hours every day may
suffer cardiovascular disease before they turn 50.
Corroborating this, Dr. Tope Aribisala says sitting for too
long has negative effects on the body because it shuts down
the metabolic pathways and some major calorie-burning
functions in the body.
It also increases one’s risk of being obese.
He states that being obese is a predisposing factor for
diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases,
cancer, diabetes and sudden death arising from strokes.
Aribisala adds, “Though we have been saying that sitting
for too long is not good, many people do not take it
seriously. It is simple: when you are sitting, many metabolic
processes in your body stop. They take a break till you start
moving again.
“When you are sitting in a position for long, the fat in your
body does not burn. Again, you gradually build up fat cells
that may increase your chance of strokes, diabetes, and
even cancer. Anytime the body does not burn calories, fat
cells build up.”
The cardiologist, however, notes that jogging or exercising
before going to work will not make up for sitting for long at
work in the day.
He says, “Many people think because they exercise, they are
exempted from this risk. They may be wrong, as sitting for
long compromises all the benefits of going to the gym
regularly. Even if you jog or work out every morning, if you
sit for long at work, you are still at risk of developing
cardiovascular diseases.
“That is why people should not hold desk jobs for more than
20 years, so they can reduce their risk of sudden heart
attack, and that is if they spend the next 20 years doing
active work and exercises to make up for the time they
lost.”
Obviously, you cannot quit your job just because it has odd
working hours or unpredictable hazards. But you can work
around the challenges that your occupation drops at your
table.”
Aribisla also warns that one cannot afford to be a couch
potato at work, whatever the nature of one’s job. According
to him, one must create time for breaks and stretches.
He advises that taking the stairs at work instead of the
elevators and going for 30 minutes’ walk, or simply
standing for some minutes while working at one’s computer,
will kick up one’s metabolism.
He adds, “If your organisation has a gym, please make use
of it. If not, walk around your office building at least three
times a week.
“As a nurse or doctor, try to check on your patients in the
wards more often. Get moving. You are not only helping
your patients, you are helping yourself to stay healthy.”
No comments:
Post a Comment