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10 IT health risks -- and how to combat them
blogs.techrepublic.com.com — IT might not appear to be a high-risk field, but a surprising number of ailments can plague IT pros in all job roles. Here are some of the most prevalent health concerns. Everybody seems to understand that movers and construction workers can have serious back and neck problems from...
warrior007- 683 diggs
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- mpind176, on 06/26/2008, -4/+15One thing my job has done to me is, it has put me a lot of extra weight and what else it has done is, I don't have much time to go to gym.
- lambda, on 06/26/2008, -2/+7When someone says "I don't have time for something", people think he means "I don't make time for something."
- saltydawkins, on 06/26/2008, -0/+7I used to have a physical job. The busier I was at work the better my ass looked. Now I'm a programmer and the busier I am at work the fatter my ass gets.
- phibit, on 06/26/2008, -4/+17Maybe these are risks... But they just make us sound like a bunch of pussies. If ergonomics makes your top 10 list of occupational hazards, you know you have it pretty sweet.
Go for a walk, blink and drink some water. Talk about "combatting health risks". - sungoddess808, on 06/26/2008, -1/+4I used to be on a computer so much that my hands did hurt. Now, I try to limit myself and balance activities.
- AnotherDiggGuy, on 06/26/2008, -0/+6Those are definetly things to look out for, but what about the more serious stuff like slouching? You screw up your neck & back and you'll wish it was just sore hands or sleepiness you had to worry about.
- NICU, on 06/26/2008, -4/+40#11: Chronic virginity
- s0m31john, on 06/26/2008, -4/+6#12: Loneliness ;_;
- Haoie, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2And the only cure is, gasp, going outdoors.
- WallnutBoy, on 06/26/2008, -1/+3This article made me realise how hunched I was sitting while I was reading it =/ My shoulders were like super tensed and I hadn't even noticed.. Man the relief I felt when I loosened them up.. o.O
- ironeus, on 08/01/2008, -1/+7Some of the symptoms listed may go away once we're able to control the mouse neurologically
- TheGonzo, on 08/13/2008, -2/+11Let's see what working in IT gets you..
I've gained weight since starting my job (FAIL)
I've lost some hair since starting my job (FAIL)
I've had to revert to medication to combat gout (FAIL)
I've started to work out due to weight gain (WIN)
I've started to watch what I eat (WIN)
I've quit smoking...sorta (WIN)
I get paid (WIN)
meh, still worth it - legendxx, on 06/26/2008, -0/+3Anyone reminded of that episode from The Office?
- havocjaw, on 06/26/2008, -1/+1Oh Hell, another clot just formed
- 4ster, on 06/26/2008, -1/+6"Mrs. Simpson, we all have nose bleeds."
- drastik21, on 06/26/2008, -1/+12I still prefer working in IT rather than working in constructions or anything with manual labor.
#1 should be dealing with dumb ass users all day long, they're the reasons for the head aces.- trying2hide, on 06/26/2008, -0/+4I wish I could give you more than one green thumbs up for that.
- seeyounorth, on 06/26/2008, -1/+3Although a bit obvious, still helpful. Dugg. I find getting up every one to two hours and just walking around, check a server console, getting a drink helps the most.
- freak3295, on 06/26/2008, -2/+6#11 dont sit on digg all day long
- kookbutt, on 06/26/2008, -5/+4Eh, IT drones are a dime a dozen. We can easily get more.
- Gunite, on 06/26/2008, -0/+4The biggest risk by far is stress depending on your industry. I think most people don't have an appreciation for things like burn out, which isn't simply becoming fatigued and dis-interested, it's accompanied by system failures (your body) that are often long term or irreversible.
- bigsteve3OOO, on 06/26/2008, -0/+3I missed hand cramp due to hacking milf porn on the list
- trying2hide, on 06/26/2008, -0/+3I think being totally under appreciated in your working environment because all you do is "tech stuff" leads to sick days...
- sluggoo, on 06/26/2008, -0/+4#11. Hypochondria. Internet access + boredom + 10 million websites that list disease symptoms.
- andrewtheart, on 06/26/2008, -4/+2Nobody on Digg works in IT - this post is irrelevant.
- AtomicPepper, on 06/27/2008, -1/+1#11 Blueballs.
Yeah, making fun of nerds is fun!- Antaries, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2You seem to forget the girls are into nerds now. Being a nerd is cool. God that sounds so stupid but it's true.
- AtomicPepper, on 06/27/2008, -0/+0Well, into nerds with money. Or is it just into money?
- Antaries, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2You seem to forget the girls are into nerds now. Being a nerd is cool. God that sounds so stupid but it's true.
- Zman0101, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1One nice thing about my job is they provide a gym on-site, as well as wireless access. I'm always there with the laptop booted up monitoring our system. Do a round of reps, drink water, stop at the laptop and check for job failures, repeat.
If you work at a company where you're privileged enough to have something like this, take advantage.. it helps your energy level too - JimJD, on 06/27/2008, -2/+3This list of "dangers" and "risks" is a candy-assed, pussyfooted, crock of ***** for the most part.
The only one to be really concerned about is D.V.T. - Deep Vein Thrombosis. That ***** can, and does kill. Since I'm desk bound, I get up every hour or so and take a little walk. Maybe a piss while I'm at it. It's kind of hard to do both of those at the same time though... anyway, I digress.
I work in the claims department of a workers compensation insurance company.
Every day, I handle claims with some horrible injuries and accidents. Sometimes we get "death" claims. But don't think for a moment I don't know hard labor. Before I "smartened up" a little, I did all kinds of jobs. Lots of menial work. Death was a constant possibility in some of them.
Those jobs had concerns and issues. This I.T. list and lots of other office job injuries are CAKE!
An example: A ranch/farm hand climbed into a stopped "feeder" for cattle, as it had stopped functioning. Said feeder started up with him in it. His leg was torn from his body. He died from, among things, massive blood loss.
That is a REAL on the job hazard.
Having your chair break because you're a fat ass is not an on the job hazard.- Antaries, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2I agree there are harder and a lot more dangerous jobs out there but this story wasn't talking about other jobs. I have done construction, been a pool table mover, moved restaurant equipment, and a bunch more crappy jobs. To be completely honest, I have never had so many aches and pains until I started working in IT. Now I work for myself (from home) and those pains have pretty much gone. Having a big display along with a cordless keyboard and mouse helps a lot to.
- jsun9, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1Hearing loss is also a health risk as quality time in loud server farms can cause tinnitus. The Sun V445 before the fan patch comes to mind. You could hear it down the hall it was so loud.
- Ribbys, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3I work in rehab case management, and I see a lot of depression cases for IT workers. Seems to be a lot of inter personal dysfunction in the IT field that leads to bullying and other crap work environment situations. Dont ignore it, get outta there and find some place better.
- andykram, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2Yep I've had a bad history with the migraines mentioned. Unfortunately the article fails to explain that none of the currently available migraines medicines are actually foolproof, or even usually all that good. The only true cure I know is only legal in California.
- Antaries, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2I used to keep a steady supply of Advil gel caps for migraines with me at all times when I worked in the office. Now just the regular Advil work for me.
- duckarrowtypes, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2She keeps going on about pagers... Does anyone still OWN a pager? Really?
- jconnors888, on 06/27/2008, -0/+0Migraines, back problems, vision problems, developing anti-social mannerisms, a short temper, high blood pressure and most of all STRESS.
Yes, working in IT is a health risk... and funnily enough, one most of us bring home with us to our pc or laptop - funny that!
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