4 popular diseases among office workers

4 popular diseases among office workers

Doctors warn that office workers are at risk of 4 popular diseases: back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and allergies. They recommend stretching exercises, taking breaks for eye strain, exercising, and avoiding staying up late.

Dr. Teerapon Topanthanon, the Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, said that occupational diseases are becoming increasingly important because work is a daily routine for working-age people. Working 8 hours a day, if not aware, can affect one's health. The most common popular diseases found among office workers today are those who work in the service industry, including office workers, as they have to sit at a desk, use a computer or work with numbers more than standing on a production line in a factory. Sitting at a computer for a long time makes workers have to sit for a long time. Typing work requires repetitive movement, using the eyes, and staying in air-conditioned rooms for a long time. Therefore, what office workers have to face are back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, headaches, eye strain, and allergies.

The Director General of the Department of Medical Services stated that the way to prevent diseases caused by working in an office is to sit properly. When sitting on a chair, it should be straight-backed with armrests, and the arms should be close to the body with elbows at right angles and wrists straight, not bent or twisted. Both feet should be flat on the floor, and if not, a footrest should be used to avoid foot strain. When typing, the neck should be straight, looking forward, and the top of the computer screen should be at eye level. After typing for a while, it is advisable to stretch the muscles. The best way to do this is to stand up and stretch, or hold both arms out for a few seconds, or walk around and then sit back down to continue typing.

Regarding eye strain from staring at the computer for a long time, sometimes people may forget to blink, which can cause dry, sore, or irritated eyes. Therefore, it is recommended to blink every 10 minutes. Also, it is not advisable to type in a dark room, and the area around the computer screen should have adequate lighting. In addition, in a workspace with a photocopier, certain chemicals can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, resulting in a sore throat, runny nose, cough, and sometimes mistaken for a cold. Therefore, it is essential to clean the floor regularly, open windows, and perform regular exercises to maintain good health and work efficiently.

                             Reference: BangkokBizNews