Arena Magazine 2008 Issue 1 Spring Arena

Arena health

Your health and your safety questions answered.

Summer daze misery

You're not alone as millions of people have to endure hay fever each year as their body reacts to tree and/or grass pollens. At best it can mean a constant runny nose, sore throat and itchy eyes. But it can also disrupt sleep patterns, affect concentration levels and impair work performance. Most people can get by on the various anti-histamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, or herbal remedies, on offer either over the counter or from your doctor.

When hay fever becomes unbearable with a knock on effect on your job then you should speak to your doctor before the summer, and before the symptoms appear, to discuss the preventative medication available.

This might include desensitisation methods, which can include an injection or drops under the tongue.

Practical measures such as avoiding the countryside on high pollen count days, closing bedroom windows at night, wearing wraparound sunglasses, and showering before bedtime to rid your body and hair of pollen spores will help ease your summer daze!

www.allergyuk.org
www.bbc.co.uk/health

Checkout aches and pains

Any change in the layout of the workstation can cause workers some minor aches and pains while they adjust. But the fact that your pain appears to be getting worse instead of better suggests a more serious problem. Work-related upper limb disorders are commonly referred to as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI). They are a common problem for workers doing repetitive work so it is important that you do not ignore your symptoms.

Report the problem at work and go to your GP. Tell the doctor about the work that you do. Also check if a risk assessment has been done on the new checkout and whether the risk of RSI was considered. Talk to your union rep at work about the problem and talk to your fellow checkout workers to find out how many of them are having problems.

Cancer focus

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and accounts for a quarter of cases. Symptoms include problems urinating, usually an increased frequency and difficulty maintaining a full stream. Other symptoms include painful urination and pain in the lower back, hips or thighs.

There is currently no routine screening programme in the UK, although men with a family history of the disease can have a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test to detect signs of the cancer. The latest research, funded by Cancer Research UK, has identified seven new genes associated with the cancer. It is now hoped that within three to four years 'genetic profiling' should be available to assess more accurately men at risk.

If you have any concerns you should discuss them with your GP.

www.bbc.co.uk/health
www.cancerresearch.org.uk
www.thepcrf.org

Eye concern

All computer workers are covered by the Display Screen Equipment regulations. These require the employer to plan work so that screen time is 'periodically interrupted' by breaks or changes of activity to reduce the screen workload. Short, frequent breaks are generally better than occasional longer breaks - 5 to 10 minutes every hour rather than 15 to 20 minutes every two hours. Regular breaks help prevent fatigue and muscular aches and pains.

There is no evidence that computers cause long-term eye damage, although it can cause headaches and short-term eye strain. The regulations do require employers to provide free eyesight tests for all computer users and to pay for any spectacles that are needed especially for computer work.

You can download booklets on breast care, the menopause, cervical screening and other health topics from: www.usdaw.org.uk/resource_library

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