Health Hazards for IT workers

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

As I sit here typing with my carpal tunnel hand splint in place, viewing my monitor through my privacy/anti-glare screen cover with my feet resting on my ergonomically correct foot stool I came across this article from computer world and wondered how many of my NI colleagues are plagued with Repetitive Strees Injuries, neck and back pain; eye strain, headaches and other side effects from working at a desk or sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods of time?

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If you are one of those IT workaholics, be careful. Long hours at the desk staring at the computer, poor eating habits, bad posture, a stressful work environment and lack of exercise can all add up over time to serious physical and mental health problems. Keep it up over many years and you could be looking at a host of ailments from nagging aches and pains, eye strain and high blood pressure, to even more serious health conditions according to medical experts consulted by Computerworld.com. The advice from the experts for IT pros is to find a way to respect your body's limitations as well as its strengths.

"If you're asking a lot from your mind and body, you must be prepared to properly nourish it too," notes Robin Foroutan, a nutritionist and holistic health counselor. "That means downtime, exercise, stress release, quality time with friends and loved ones, adequate sleep and healthy foods."

Making small changes like cutting back on red meat, reducing portion size or taking regular, 10-minute exercise and stretching breaks can be just as effective over time as radical changes like taking up running or abruptly switching to a vegetarian diet. The trick, experts say, is to make changes that will stick.

For more health suggestions:

- check out this Computerworld.com article

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9115340&intsrc=hm_ts_head

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

As I sit here typing with my carpal tunnel hand splint in place, viewing my monitor through my privacy/anti-glare screen cover with my feet resting on my ergonomically correct foot stool I came across this article from computer world and wondered how many of my NI colleagues are plagued with Repetitive Strees Injuries, neck and back pain; eye strain, headaches and other side effects from working at a desk or sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods of time?

HA!

I had to have maintenance remove a fluorescent bulb from my office. I couldn't imagine what the source of my headaches was. Doh!

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

http://www.healthycomputing.com/