Occupational disease of truckers. Osteochondrosis in drivers - causes and prevention

Diseases of the spine have always worried people. And now there is hardly a person who has never experienced back pain in his life. 10-15% of disability cases are due to diseases of the spine. There are 400 hospitalizations per 1,000 primary visits to a doctor due to spinal disease, of which 30 require further examination and treatment, and 5 require surgery.

Medical statistics confirm that people of any age are almost equally susceptible to diseases of this kind, and the increase in their number due to aging of the body is insignificant. But there are gender differences: men are twice as likely to be affected by these diseases than women. First, for reasons due to anatomy and physiology. Secondly, because men are more likely to perform physically hard work.

The concept of "osteochondrosis" today is defined as degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, primarily intervertebral discs - with a decrease in their height, deformation and stratification. This inevitably affects the functioning of other body systems. But the spine suffers the most. Osteochondrosis is not the only disease spinal column. Sciatica, sciatica, spondylarthrosis, discosis, lumbago, lumboischialgia, herniated disc, etc. are also common.

Diseases of the spine begin with acute attack or gradually, may be accompanied weak pains or severe condition. Exacerbations can also happen with different frequency but inevitably with an increase in the severity of the disease. The nature of the disease will depend on the extent and how affected intervertebral discs.

On x-ray examination osteochondrosis testifies to itself by the presence of changes in the shape of the vertebral bodies, the height of the vertebral discs, the presence of "claws" and "thorns" - i.e. bony growths on the vertebrae. Actually, this is where the widespread opinion about osteochondrosis as a “salt deposition” originates.

Violation metabolic processes in the spine leads to muscular, vascular, motor and other disorders.

Osteochondrosis "at the wheel"

The consequences of prolonged driving can be not only pain in the back and neck, but also chronic diseases spine. According to a study conducted by RAC - the British Royal Automobile Society - it became known that the majority of drivers sit for a long time in wrong posture, the result is an overstrain of the back muscles. The “banana pose” has a particularly negative effect on health - when the driver has straightened legs extended to the pedals, and the body is tilted towards the steering wheel.

At the same time, the pressure on the intervertebral discs is maximum, and shaking while driving increases it even more. The likelihood of serious injury during accidents also increases. On the recommendation of doctors, in trucks it is better to use hard, well-fitted seats for the driver. As for the seat upholstery material, it is better if it is fabric, not leather or vinyl. The driver should not move away from the pedals for a long distance. And you should carefully adjust the headrest.

Truck drivers, who drive for a long time, do not pay due attention to the prevention of diseases of the spine, and in this - main reason Problems.

Meanwhile, osteochondrosis can be attributed to occupational diseases of drivers. And in order to preserve the health of the driver, a huge role belongs to the choice of a truck - taking into account not only its driving characteristics, but also the ergonomics of the cab.

driver's seat

Adjustable lumbar support is desirable, which should be set as low as possible; changing the height and inclination is also relevant. The back should also be adjustable, maintaining the spine in a physiological position, taking into account its curves.

The seat must be equipped with a head restraint, which will secure cervical regions spine during jerks or sudden braking of the truck.

Installation of seats in the Transportation Center

How to sit correctly

The body position should be straight, the seat back acts as a support for the spine. Then the pressure on intervertebral discs will be uniform. If the design of the chair does not provide for this, get yourself a small flat pillow, which you will put under your lower back. Make it a rule to stop every 2-3 hours and get out of the cab - move a little, inspect the car. There are several exercises you can do in the parking lot.

A few words about special orthopedic pillows under the back: such a pillow reduces the adverse effect on the spine of vibration, forced to maintain a motionless posture for a long time. The right comfort pillow conforms to the shape of the lower back, providing good support for the spine. It contributes to the preservation correct posture, reducing pressure on the lumbar spine and prevents diseases caused by the "sitting" position.

What exercises to do

• During a stop on the way, you should get out of the car, take hold of the support, which will serve as some solid part of the body, and perform the "jackknife" exercise - try to stretch the spine, straightening the legs and arms and bending the torso as much as possible to lower the pelvis as close to the ground as possible. Accompany the exercise with a long exhalation "HAA".
• Having straightened up, perform the following exercise: put your feet wider than your shoulders, and, turning the torso to any leg (so that the front leg is pointing forward and the back is perpendicular to the front), try to slowly bend forward. Then the legs should be changed. At the same time, the hands slide along the leg and touch the ground near the front leg. The exercise is performed on the exhale. The front leg does not bend. Pain may be felt in the lower back and back of the leg, but this is normal. This will not cause deterioration if you do the exercise correctly and slowly. The exercise is decompression.

The preventive value of such exercises is great. They prevent the appearance acute pain in the back, and if they already exist, they help get rid of them. There is a pattern: the more neglected the spin is, the stronger pain. But this is only the first time.

The ability to go through pain, defeat it helps a person and get rid of pain. serious illnesses, and strengthen the spirit and body, and save yourself from having to swallow painkillers in the future.

It is important to understand that back pain may return after long trips, but that is why you should not forget to perform preventive exercises which help reduce the severity and duration of pain.

• If, on the eve of a long trip, the driver can devote some time to practicing on the horizontal bar, it would be great. It is best to perform leg raises - straight or bent at the knees - until the toes touch the bar. Raising the legs must be performed on the exhale, the first few movements may be accompanied by pain, sometimes severe - you need to be prepared for this.
• For pain relief a good remedy may be a visit to the bath or sauna.
• To have the proper effect, the bath must be visited after doing the exercises. Before visiting the steam room, the body must be cooled, after that - also plunge, with your head. There is a prejudice that taking cold baths is fraught with prostatitis. However, here the fault is not hypothermia, but the same motionless sitting, due to which congestion in the muscles of the perineum.
• To prevent this occupational disease, before a long trip, deep squats should be done with arms extended up and forward. The proper effect is achieved when performing at least one hundred squats at a time. Exercise should be done after the trip.
• You need to get up after squats on the exhale: “HAA”. The scheme of action of the exercise is as follows: venous return blood from lower extremities, normal blood circulation in the muscles of the perineum is maintained.
• It is desirable for a truck driver to become a regular visitor to the gym: a good muscle tone is an indispensable condition for resisting diseases caused by a long stay in motionless postures. And this is not only osteochondrosis, but also fatigue, irritability, headaches, hypertension, hemorrhoids, joint diseases. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system can only be counteracted by exercise. But - exclusively correct exercises.
• Just physical activity(playing volleyball or football, for example) will not be the prevention of the above diseases. Exercises aimed at prevention are not entertainment. They are necessary. It is just as important to fulfill them as it is to technically prepare your truck for a long journey. Not doing this is dangerous. The same goes for your body.

Health and happy journey!
Your Transport Center

A car is not a luxury, but a provocateur of diseases. Video

This is well known to those whose profession is associated with long trips - truckers, taxi drivers, etc. All the more surprising that ordinary people, having bought a car, they practically do not get out of it for days, sitting behind the wheel even in order to go to the bakery on the corner. What it can turn into says the doctor medical sciences Alexey Runov.

Occupational diseases drivers can be roughly divided into three groups.

The first group of occupational diseases of drivers

These are diseases of the pelvic organs due to prolonged sitting driving, which causes stagnation of blood circulation in the pelvis. These include radiculitis, osteochondrosis, hemorrhoids and prostatitis.

The second group of diseases of drivers

The second group of diseases is associated with increased emotional load. Do not believe those who say that driving is resting. In fact, a person, his nervous system is in constant tension, which causes cardiovascular diseases. Drivers often get into trouble heart rate, hypertension, heart attacks.

The third group of occupational diseases of those who drive

The third group - diseases gastrointestinal tract associated with irregular and malnutrition during work. But this is more the lot of professional drivers than amateurs.

What should be done to prevent the appearance of these driver diseases and, moreover, their transition to the form? As trite as it may sound, but first of all, diversify physical activity. I'm talking about a daily set of gymnastic exercises, which should keep the heart, blood vessels normal and maintain tone. nervous system.

This is the most common charging complex. But it must necessarily contain circular movements in lumbar spine, all kinds of inclinations, flexion and extension.

ID: 2013-11-977-A-3069

Original article (free structure)

Evlampiev S.Yu., Makhonko M.N., Shkrobova N.V.

State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education Saratov State Medical University im. IN AND. Razumovsky Ministry of Health of Russia Department of Occupational Pathology and Hematology

Summary

The source of increased occupational risk for drivers of motor vehicles (buses, trucks, taxis) is road transport. The profession of a driver involves the occurrence of occupational and professionally caused diseases, injuries varying degrees severity, including injuries incompatible with life, the development of which can lead to the loss of the employee's full working capacity, and in some cases - to disability.

Keywords

Automobile transport, occupational diseases, professionally caused diseases

Article

The urgency of the problem. Under the influence of a complex of factors different intensity drivers of motor vehicles develop occupational and occupationally conditioned diseases.

Target. Conduct an analysis of literature data on harmful factors affecting the health of drivers.

Research objectives. Determine the groups of occupational and occupationally conditioned diseases that develop in drivers and clarify the role of the factors involved in their formation.

Materials and methods. Study and analysis of literature data on the state of health of drivers of modern motor transport.

Results. According to statistics, it is noted that 42.3% of workers (almost 30 million people) work in harmful and difficult conditions, which include the majority of drivers. The number of samples taken at workplaces, in which the quantitative indicators of harmful production factors exceed the permissible standards, ranges from 20-40%. Specific reasons leading to the development of occupational pathology include wear and tear of equipment and obsolescence of technologies, an insufficient amount means of individual and collective protection, lack of regulatory information, massive violations of technological discipline, low level culture of production and training of workers, reduced control over compliance with sanitary norms and other safety and labor standards, non-compliance with work and rest regimes, neglect of one’s own health, spread bad habits(alcoholism, smoking, drug addiction). It should be emphasized that the above reasons are largely determined by the generally low medical and hygienic culture of Russian workers in the transport industry. The works of a number of authors have established that occupational and professionally conditioned diseases are directly related to unfavorable working conditions, are quite common among workers in the transport industry, determining not only their level of performance, but also their state of health, as well as the duration of creative longevity.

Occupational and professionally caused diseases of drivers are conditionally divided into 5 groups.

1. Diseases associated with prolonged exposure to stress. The nervous system is constantly under stress, which causes diseases of the neuropsychic sphere and cardiovascular pathology. Drivers often develop arrhythmias, cardialgia, hypertension, myocardial infarctions.

2. Diseases caused by prolonged stay in sitting position. These diseases include osteoarthosis, osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, spondylolisthesis (nonunion of the vertebral arch), radiculitis, herniated discs of the vertebrae, habitual dislocations, cervico-brachial plexitis, vibration disease, prostatitis, hemorrhoids.
3. Diseases associated with inadequate and irregular nutrition in work time. They include gastritis, peptic ulcer, cholecystitis, colitis, pancreatitis, dysbacteriosis.
4. Diseases caused in a sedentary manner life and metabolic disorders. This - diabetes and obesity.

5. Allergic and oncological diseases. They include bronchial asthma(exhaust gases, diesel fuel, gasoline, lubricating oils), lung cancer and larynx (in the manufacture of brake pads, asbestos is used; at the moment the car brakes, the temperature rises on the brake pads, reaching eight hundred degrees Celsius, with the simultaneous release of phenol).

These diseases are related professional drivers and not amateurs.

It is known that the working conditions of the driver are determined by neuropsychic overloads arising from a large number and variety of information (traffic lights, road quality, unexpected obstacles) coming from the street and from cab instruments. See, hear, feel, understand 3-4 important signal in 1 minute, over 200 in 1 hour, over 1600 in 8 hours work shift and quickly make a decision - the basis for a large neuropsychic overload in people of this profession. To this is added responsibility for one's life and the people in the car, for the cargo being transported, and also sometimes work in night shift. Unfavorable work operations for the driver of urban transport, leading to particularly high neuropsychic overloads, are sudden braking, overtaking, passing through an unregulated intersection, embedding in the traffic flow and leaving it, and for drivers of construction, road and other equipment - work on slopes, teamwork with others vehicles. In 3% of drivers, the cause of disability is diseases of the neuropsychic sphere. About 40% of them receive disability due to cardiovascular pathology under the age of 50. Clinicians have found that occupational diseases among drivers are headed by arterial hypertension resulting from neuropsychic overload. In our country, 18-20% of people in this cohort suffer from it (and at the same time continue to work). About 1/3 of all diseases with temporary disability and half of the causes of disability among car drivers are due to ischemic disease hearts. Relatively common onset arterial hypertension associated with the so-called reactive states that occur in drivers after a traffic accident.

Hygienists have proven that an important harmful production factor is physical activity that affects the neck and shoulder joints and ligamentous apparatus due to frequent head turns (90-150 times in 1 hour) by 50-130 ° (to rear-view mirrors, doors, passengers). The frequency of pressing the pedals with your feet, the use of levers, steering wheels, forced posture (sitting) for a long time - all this creates great physical exertion of a general and local nature. One of the most common metabolic diseases skeletal system caused by exposure to general, local or combined vibration is osteoporosis. Functional restructuring is revealed bone tissue, which manifests itself in a change in bone beams, a change in relief articular surfaces, the appearance of zones of osteosclerosis, increased tuberosity at the points of attachment of muscles, a change in the direction of bone beams. With the onset of decompensation develop pathological changes in the form of cysts (due to the development dystrophic process due to trauma or angiospasm, leading to the appearance of foci of ischemia), enostosis (due to excessive production of osteoblasts), osteoarthritis. Often, bone-dystrophic changes occur long before clinical appearances professional pathology. A number of publications contain information that constant harmful factors that affect the driver are also vibration and noise that exceed permissible sanitary standards, as well as infrasonic vibrations, air pollution with carbon monoxide ( carbon monoxide), oxides of nitrogen, sulfur, gasoline, hydrocarbons, carcinogenic and other products, dustiness, reduced or fever air environment, insufficient illumination. Given the impact of these unfavorable working conditions, among drivers, starting at about 45 years old, that is, even before the onset of retirement age, often there is a departure from their profession. Many studies have found that drivers have occupational diseases such as carbon monoxide poisoning, leaded gasoline, vibration disease, toxic-dust bronchitis, sensorineural hearing loss, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and peripheral nervous system. Possible acute poisoning exhaust gases (mainly carbon monoxide), which are observed even in middle lane Russia in the hot season with unregulated engine operation; gasoline pneumonia from gasoline entering the lungs when it is sucked through a hose. Due to work in a forced position, drivers experience stagnation venous blood in the lower body and predisposition to hemorrhoids, varicose disease lower limbs. It should be noted that the most common disease in this group is prostatitis, the main cause of which is stagnation of blood circulation in the pelvis due to an uncomfortable sitting position behind the wheel. Frequent delay urination due to non-stop driving can cause cancer Bladder And urinary tract. Not enough favorable conditions labor of drivers cause pathology of the respiratory organs (up to 50% of all diseases), gastrointestinal tract, peripheral nervous system, female genital area (6-7%), metabolic disorders, allergic and oncological diseases. Drivers of vehicles are a group of increased oncological risk for cancer of the stomach, larynx, lung, as well as cancer of the kidneys and bladder.

Conclusions. The analysis of the literature data made it possible to evaluate Negative influence harmful factors on the health status of drivers that can cause the development of occupational and professionally caused diseases in them, which requires further prevention and rehabilitation of persons in this profession.

Literature

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2. Aleshechkina E.E., Shelekhova T.V., Bogoslovskaya S.I., Zaitseva M.R., Roschepkin V.V. Pharmacological correction of bone remodeling disorders in patients with vibration sickness. - Contemporary Issues science and education. - 2013. - No. 3; url: www.science-education.ru/109-9575.

3. Arustamov E.A. Occupational Safety and Health. Directory. - M., 2008. - 588 p.

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5. Gorelikova O.N. Oncological morbidity and mortality among road transport drivers (literature review). - Occupational health and industrial ecology. - 1993. - No. 5-6. - S. 34-38.

6. Izmerov N.F., Kasparov A.A. Labor medicine. Introduction to the specialty. - M.: Medicine, 2002. - 392 p.: ill.

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Occupational diseases of truckers.

Truckers are called truck drivers who transport goods over long distances. Road freight transportation is a very popular type of transportation all over the world. Carrying cargo by car you can be sure that it will be quickly delivered to its destination. Particularly rapid development of the road freight market began with the growth and strengthening of medium-sized businesses. The services of road carriers for the transportation of small cargoes, weighing up to 20 tons, and groupage cargoes throughout Russia have become in demand.
The profession of a trucker is shrouded in a halo of romance: "kings of the roads", wide expanses, road adventures ... And the TV series "Truckers" added popularity to this profession. Many teenagers dream of becoming a truck driver and driving a powerful tractor across the vast expanses of Russia. However, about negative sides no one wants to talk about this profession. Meanwhile, only a few dozen occupational diseases of truckers can be counted. They will be discussed in this article.
The specificity of the trucker profession is that he spends a lot of time in a sitting position. For example, on the Sterlitamak - Moscow cargo transportation route, the driver must drive for 24 hours, and this is without traffic jams. Sedentary work leads to a deterioration in blood circulation and, as a result, to a whole bunch of diseases of the pelvic organs: prostatitis, sciatica, osteochondrosis, hemorrhoids are the eternal companions of a trucker. Truth in Lately leading manufacturers trucks began to install driver's seats with a vibration massage function, but not all transport companies Moscow may be allowed to buy such trucks.
In addition to the listed diseases, truckers often have diseases of the nervous system, because a long road is constant stress And nervous tension. The driver is responsible for the safety of the cargo, and anything can happen on the road. Yes, and being in a traffic jam cannot be called a pastime useful for nerves. Hence, diseases of the cardiovascular system, hypertension and the threat of a heart attack.
But that's not all. During the flight, the driver does not always have the opportunity to fully eat and usually manages with coffee and sandwiches. Such an irregular diet contributes to indigestion, the appearance of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Experienced truckers, planning the route of movement, provide places for rest, where you can fully eat and relax, relieve the accumulated nervous tension.
In general, a trucker must be in good physical shape, strong and hardy. His path runs through many cities and towns, he meets various people and not all of them are friendly. Crime reports often contain reports of attacks on truckers in order to steal the cargo they carry. Besides physical strength useful when loading and unloading a car, because often a trucker is assigned the functions of a loader, freight forwarder and security guard.
Some large transport companies in Moscow take care of their drivers, provide them with vouchers to sanatoriums and boarding houses, equip rooms for inter-flight rest, build sports and GYM's. However, this is more of an exception than the rule. The vast majority of road carriers prefer to save on the health of their drivers, leaving them to solve their health problems on their own.

In any district clinic, each of the doctors: a neurologist, a urologist, a cardiologist, a proctologist, an ophthalmologist, an orthopedist and all the others, has something to say about this pair of “a man and his car”. Only now, unfortunately, according to state standards, they are given only 15 minutes to receive each patient, and they simply do not have time to express everything. We will try to simplify the life of doctors a little, and for especially zealous drivers who even go to the nearest store through 3 U-turns, instead of walking to it in just 3 minutes, we will try to give something to think about.

So, Occupational diseases of drivers are conditionally divided into 4 groups.

1. Diseases caused by prolonged sitting. These include osteoartosis, habitual, and.

2. Diseases associated with prolonged exposure to stress. is constantly under pressure, which causes cardiovascular diseases. Drivers often appear, cardialgia and.

3. Diseases associated with defective and irregular working hours. However, this is more the lot of professional drivers than amateurs. Such diseases include peptic ulcer, and.

4. Diseases caused by a sedentary lifestyle and disorders: sugar and.

What should be done to prevent all the diseases listed above for drivers? Maybe it sounds too banal, but, first of all, it is necessary to diversify physical activity. Driving a car should not become the main mode of transportation, and at least sometimes you need to remember about your legs. Walk in the park, swim in the pool. in general perfectly relieves muscle and psycho-emotional stress.

In addition to rational physical activity it is necessary to take care of one's own health by equipping the car with devices such as massage and heating seat covers (although car manufacturers today make driver's seats heated even in budget cars). However, no matter how passive, every 3 hours of driving you need to take a break, at least half an hour. Moreover, during this break, you should not just stand by the side of the road with your eyes closed, but get out of the car and take a short walk.

Experts have determined that driving for 12 hours without good breaks causes temporary impotence.

Another problem for drivers is. On normal food motorists do not have enough time, so crackers, chips and chocolate are constantly absorbed by traffic jams, which in big cities far from uncommon. Since during a stoppage in a traffic jam, the driver does not pay attention at all to food, but follows the traffic light and trying to overtake him, the number of harmful things eaten per day exceeds any reasonable norms. At the same time, no satiety, but overweight and an increase in glucose in are guaranteed. Conclusion: Snack as much as you want. But only the right products. Do not be lazy to take a carrot, cucumber, apple or whole grain sandwich with you. And do not wash it all down with sweet sparkling water (someday pay attention to how much sugar it contains). If you can’t imagine your life without cola, then buy at least a dietary one.

As for the nerves, this is a separate conversation. To the question: “Do you think swearing while driving is harmful or useful?”. Participants of one of the driving Internet forums answered as follows:

- "Healthy. This outputs negative energy from the body…
- “The steam must be released immediately, otherwise nervous breakdowns may begin later ...”
- “Swearing, you splash out all the negativity, and therefore you are more attentive while driving, you don’t get nervous and you don’t freak out. This reduces the risk of a collision."
“I usually do it silently, but I still feel relieved.”

Psychologists agree with the opinion of the drivers, and advise "not to keep in yourself." Thus, if it accumulates, then it is better to speak out stronger than squeezing pressure on the gas, trying to prove in practice who is the boss on the road. The accident rate on the roads is already high, so statistics should not be replenished.