We don’t want to rain on your parade during the holidays, but here is a very insightful look at heart disease, some of the causes and preventive measures we should take. We usually make a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, so hopefully, this great article sent to us by Shannon Lochwood will help us realize how very important it is to be heart-healthy and keep that resolution!
Author Introduction
Hank Barton is a second generation trucker-philosopher with a penchant for the written word. He enjoys blogging about long haul trucking, safe driving practices and life on the open road. He writes for E-Gears, an online CDL Practice Test authority that specializes in a variety of study guides.
For those going into the trucking industry, planning ahead in terms of health and fitness may be the key to a long and fruitful career. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is implementing rules that will require that truck drivers get a physical to identify health problems that can be a safety concern. Unfortunately, there are a number of health concerns truckers face which are inherent to the trucker lifestyle.
A 2007 study by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that 86 percent of truck drivers were overweight and the majority of those were obese. Aside from the more obvious safety issues stemming from being overweight or obese, such as heart attacks or diabetic shock, many truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea, which may disrupt sleep such that a driver ends up tired or falling asleep on the road. Additionally, studies suggest that a majority of truck drivers are smokers, compounding the health concerns.
Current truck drivers suffering these health conditions may be in jeopardy of being unable to renew their trucking license and potential truck drivers are wise now to plan on avoiding these pitfalls. According to FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro, “Better health means safer drivers behind the wheel.” A safer driver is a more marketable driver and now, the health regulations make a certain degree of physical fitness essentially part of the job. Not to mention, healthy truckers also spend much less on health insurance.
Sadly, until recently, truckers have hardly been catered to in regard to providing healthy options. However, the recent focus on the safety issues presented by this lack have shifted some focus toward providing help for truck drivers who want to stay healthy and keep on trucking.
While it may be easy for a person in great or even moderate physical condition to think that they can maintain their health while on long hauls, there are a number of things to consider.
The Eating Healthy Conundrum
We are not using many calories when we are on the road, so the main goal here is to consume fewer calories. The lion’s share of truck stop food may taste great as well as save time, but is fat and calorie heavy. Fast food and buffets are not kind to the waist line. Fortunately, some truck stops are now offering healthier menu options. Still, the best option is having a small refrigerator and microwave on board. This can keep your healthy options much more varied and appealing. Also, as we are all too aware, eating truck stop food is quite expensive so packing store bought food can save a good deal of money in addition to the health benefit.
A good multivitamin is also advisable. We put the right fuel into our rig, but we often forget our body is a machine that needs the right fuel too. On the same hand, beware of diet pills or extreme diets. Many of these pills are largely untested and have side effects that could be catastrophic for someone driving a large truck. Extreme diets also often a side effect of fatigue that can be dangerous on the road.
Working Out with Sedentary Work
Exercise is a difficult issue for many truck drivers. It is also a critical part of staying healthy. In a job where the bulk of the work is done seated, creativity is the key. Walking and stretching at truck stops is always a good idea. Some truckers have even taking to packing a fold-up bicycle they can ride at stops, which is a great idea since cardio is going to be the best weapon against an excess of calories. There are also a number of stationary cardio exercises every trucker would do well to add to their repertoire, such as jumping jacks, mountain climbers, crunches, flutter kicks, etc.
One promising prospect is that gyms have begun to look toward a trucker clientele. Snap Fitness is a 24-7 gym that recently opened its first truck stop location and there are plans to open five more around the country this year. While this may not be an option for many right now, it does mean that the future of fitness on the road does not look so bleak.
Whatever road you choose to take in taking care of your health, remember that your body can break down just as easily as your truck. Give it the necessary maintenance to keep it running for yourself, for the people who love you, and to be a better truck driver.
People who work out or exercise on a regular basis will often feel sore after an intense workout, but if the soreness stays for some time, you may want to seek medical attention. Muscle pain could be happening for several reasons, most of which are harmless. However, when the pain is chronic and it impacts your daily life, something more serious could be wrong. Never ignore muscle aches and pains, as the time that you are wasting to find out the source could make matters worse. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you may be suffering.
Pinched Nerve
If you have a pinched nerve, the feeling can be a constant pain that throbs from the nerve to the muscles without stopping. When there is too much pressure being put on the tissues that are around the nerves, this will cause a pinched nerve. If you have a pinched nerve, several things can make it worse. Obesity, bad posture, intense exercise routines, and repetitive movements can all make you feel worse. To recover from this, much rest is needed and often times if the case is extreme, physical therapy or surgery may be needed.
April is designated as Women’s Eye Safety and Eye Health Month, and we’ve found out some things that will really open your eyes! Worldwide, an estimated 37 million people are blind and one hundred twenty-four million people have low vision. Two-thirds of both blind and visually impaired people are women! In the United States, there are estimated to be over one million legally blind people, and over 700,000 of them are women. Women bear a larger burden than men in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, because, on average they outlive men. However, adding to the disproportion, is the possibility of biological (perhaps hormonal or immunological) predisposition to some eye diseases known to be more prevalent in women. Women who live in developing countries have less access to medical care, and therefore may contact more infectious diseases that are prevalent in females.
A major epidemiological survey in 2001 revealed that, worldwide, common eye diseases, such as autoimmune disease, dry eye syndrome, and certain forms of cataract are more prevalent in women than men. Age-related afflictions such as macular degeneration and cataract also affect women more often than men. Vision loss can be due to chronic disease, infection, uncorrected refractive error, trauma or congenital defect. The good news for women and men is that three-quarters of blindness and vision loss is either preventable or treatable. By having regular eye exams and living a healthy lifestyle, you can optimize your eye health. The risk factors for premature death due to heart disease or cancer are the same as those for blindness and vision impairment. These factors include smoking, excess weight, improper diet, lack of exercise and exposures to UV rays. Knowing your family health history in relation to eye health is as important as any other facet of family history.
There are certain eye problems that must be dealt with such as dry eye, eye redness, excessive watering of eyes, and pain in the eye, (throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation.) Seeing your ophthalmologist can solve many of these problems. Other options to healthy eyes are as listed:
1. Wear sunglasses or a hat with a brim when outside in sunlight;
2. Adopt a healthy lifestyle;
3. Know the warning signs of eye disease;
4. Drink alcohol in moderation;
5. Stop smoking or never start;
6. Maintain a healthy body weight by eating a balanced diet;
7. Exercise regularly;
8. Schedule regular eye exams for yourself and the entire family.
Women should wear eye protection when working with tools, metals or chemicals at home or work, the same as men. Everyone should avoid being around pellet guns, bb guns, bows and arrows, toys with missiles and fireworks – these can cause serious eye injury.
So, ladies, take care of those beautiful eyes, and the eyes of everyone you love. Make the most to improve eye health by both protecting your eyes from injury and keeping your body healthy.
Obesity in the workplace is a part of a growing national trend, one that is getting larger at an alarming rate. The cost of obesity in the workplace is in the billions of dollars every year, due to the ill health of millions of employees. Companies who struggle with this problem and take a pro-active stance toward it will be ahead of the curve, not only by saving money, but providing a healthier workplace environment for their employees.
What weight is considered obese?
These classifications aren’t flattering, causing many overweight persons to feel that they are discriminated against because of their weight. Race, gender, age, disability, religion, and now obesity are reasons that persons may feel discriminated against.
There can be many reasons for being overweight. Some are genetic, caused by certain health issues, or lack of exercise, and eating unhealthy foods. This problem is going to continue if our schools don’t serve healthy foods and require physical education for youngsters. It should be a given that kids “get out and play an hour a day.” Parents should strive to start their families out with a healthy breakfast, and choose fruits and vegetables rather than fast food on a regular basis. It’s a proven fact that there are more obese youngsters than in past generations.
Regardless, no one should be bullied, harassed, or humiliated because of their size. People that are obese have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, gall bladder disease, lung and breathing problems, and early death. As of now, Michigan is the only state that declares discrimination of this sort as illegal. There are no federal laws making it illegal. Some cities do, though. Through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and courts, persons diagnosed with morbid obesity may be seen as disabled, thereby possibly being protected under the Americans with Disabilities Amended Act of 2008.
Companies can achieve having healthier and happier employees through weight-loss plans, employee wellness programs, and/or health club memberships. Planning a better environment, such as healthy snacks in vending machines, less fast foods in the cafeteria, and holding health fairs would be good for everyone. The programs should not be targeted toward certain groups, in order to be nondiscriminatory, but to all employees, and those who wish to enroll may do so on a voluntary basis. Start up a group walking program during lunch break. Wear a pedometer to see how any steps you take in a work-day. If it’s not very many, we need to step it up when we get home! (The recommended number of daily steps is 10,000.) You may be surprised at just how much or little walking you actually do each day. The Centers for Disease Control report that obesity can cause chronic health issues that equal twenty years of aging.
Let’s start parking the car a little farther from work, walk up stairs rather than take an elevator, and encourage others to do the same. If you have a friend or family member that is overweight, offer to go to a wellness center or take a daily walk with them. Possibly, you can get them started on a healthy path, and reap the benefits, as well.