Office work is little associated with anything dangerous and risky. A comfortable chair, a computer, an air conditioner, and an opportunity to have a snack during working hours – all this creates a comfortable environment. However, numerous studies prove that office workers are at risk for many diseases.
We have compiled a list of the main office ailments and methods of their prevention so that work does not cause health problems.
1. Back and Joint Pain
In the office, we sit without getting up for at least 5-6 hours. It often leads to various problems with the spine and joints, especially if we have incorrect posture (for example, the neck stretched out to the monitor) or an uncomfortable chair.
How To Help Yourself
- Get up at least once every hour to walk around the office or do a light warm-up.
- Ensure that the work area allows you to maintain the correct posture without prompting you to move closer to or away from the monitor.
2. Stress
In today’s threatening situation due to COVID-19 employees are under constant stress. These situations lead to the development of bad habits such as drinking to relieve those negative emotions. According to the research, the work stress of an employee directly impacts his or her drinking habits which lead to bad health.
How To Help Yourself
- If there is no improvement in your stress and there is an increase in drinking habits, you need to consult a specialist.
- You can contact United Healthcare rehab providers and consult them for your current condition.
3. Dry Eye Syndrome
While carefully reading something on the monitor, we forget to blink; have you noticed it? This is why working at a computer or reading documents closely can cause dry eye syndrome. Its manifestations are familiar to many: pain and dryness.
How To Help Yourself
- Check your workplace: active work at the computer should be carried out at eye level, lighting should not tire the eyes, and air from the air conditioner should not be directed directly into your face.
- Every 20 minutes try to look at objects in the distance and blink actively, wetting the mucous membrane.
- Do simple eye exercises at least once a day.
- If your eyes still dry out, use special moisturizing eye drops.
4. Influenza
In the office, we are in a stuffy room, which is almost not ventilated, together with a large number of people. The chances that some of the employees have already started to get sick and can infect colleagues are extremely high. Also, air conditioners are not conducive to health: large temperature fluctuations between the office and the street increase the number of colds.
How To Help Yourself
- Avoid shaking hands during epidemics.
- During the cold season, try to drink vitamins, if possible.
- Keep an eye on the ventilation in the office.
5. Varicose Veins
Another problem that many office workers face is varicose veins. According to statistics, women visit doctors more than men because of this disease.
Due to stagnation of blood during sedentary work, the walls of the vessels become thinner, ugly nodes, and veins may appear on the legs. In the most severe cases, with varicose veins, hemorrhage may occur, and trophic ulcers may also form.
How To Help Yourself
- Do not wear high-heeled shoes all the time (preferably not more than 2-3 hours a day).
- Do not sit cross-legged.
- It would also be good to regularly go for a massage, and if there is no opportunity, then at least lie down in the “legs above your head” position after a working day.
6. Tunnel Syndrome
It can occur in those who constantly type on the keyboard and use the mouse. It occurs due to compression of the median nerve between the bones, the transverse carpal ligament, and the tendons of the wrist muscles. It manifests itself as unpleasant sensations in the thumb and forefinger, over time, the pain can turn into a tingling sensation in the shoulder.
How To Help Yourself
- Place the computer so that it is comfortable to type on the keyboard and use the mouse: under no circumstances should your hands hang off the table.
- If you still feel pain or tingling, then you need to lower your hands down to restore blood flow and stretch your wrists.
7. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Constant stress, overwork, tension, and a high rhythm of life lead to chronic fatigue syndrome, which is also called the manager’s syndrome. It is not so easy to diagnose, although there are some symptoms: constant fatigue and apathy, poor sleep, and irritability.
How To Help Yourself
- Walk more in the fresh air, it is advisable to leave the city a couple of times a week and enjoy nature.
- Start taking infusions of herbs at night to help calm the nervous system.
8. Digestive Disorders
Improper and irregular nutrition can remind you of excruciating abdominal pain, gastritis, obesity, and other disorders. Compounding this problem is the available cookies and chocolates from the vending machines, the unhealthy snacks in the workplace, and the constant “tea” offers from colleagues.
How To Help Yourself
- Establish a diet and drinking regimen (drink up to 2-2.5 liters of water per day). By the way, it can be helped by special applications that regularly remind you to drink.
- Replace unhealthy office goodies with healthy vegetables and fruits. The key is to remember that some fruits, such as bananas, mangoes, grapes, and pomegranates are high in sugar.
9. Allergies and Respiratory Diseases
People who are prone to allergic reactions sometimes find it difficult to work in the office due to the abundance of dust, as well as toxic substances that are emitted by air conditioners, printers, scanners, and other office equipment. For example, printers are sources of ozone, which is potentially dangerous if filters are not replaced in time.
Air conditioners can also sometimes cause allergies since mold appears in them if filters are not replaced in time.
How To Help Yourself
- Open windows as often as possible. Air conditioning is not a substitute for fresh air.
- Make sure to regularly replace filters in the technique.
10. Bacterial Diseases
Microbiologists have found that if the keyboard is not cleaned regularly, it can have 5 times more bacteria than the bathroom. Moreover, among them there may be dangerous bacteria, such as coliforms: they can cause poisoning. Other nasty microorganisms live on the keyboard and surfaces of office furniture, which can provoke various diseases.
How To Help Yourself
- Clean your work area regularly: wipe your desk, monitor, and keyboard.
- It is worth having an antiseptic on your desktop and treating surfaces with it from time to time.
- Wash your hands often while in the office, especially if you are considering a snack.
Summing Up
We hope by identifying the reasons and solutions for your bad health, you can work on them and get healthier. Without having good health, you won’t be able to do your job efficiently.
