SEPTEMBER
29 , 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 38 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK
Strains
in the Workplace
Don't
blame every pain on repetitive injury
By
WILLIAM LAI
ALSO:
Jungle Puzzle: The challenge:
to re-assemble an ancient temple
Here are the symptoms: aching wrists, sore arms, limbs that sometimes
feel as if they are on fire. Think that sounds like a case of RSI (repetitive
strain injury)? You'd be right. But that may be only part of the story.
To be sure, repeated movement of the arms and wrists, especially in
awkward postures, often leads to injury. These are the so-called mechanical
factors. Now a report in the British Medical Journal suggests that mental
stress can bring on forearm pain too.
Scientists are divided over the cause and conditions associated with
the symptoms. Many believe this is pain related only to physical factors
frequent repetitive movements of the upper limb. Others blame
high levels of psychological distress. To resolve the controversy, British
researchers surveyed about 1,900 people, 8% of whom complained of pain
in their forearms. As expected, they found that doing the same actions
over and over again typing on a keyboard, lifting heavy objects
or assembling widgets is an important trigger for aching arms.
But, as it turns out, so is psychological distress. People who are unhappy
with their co-workers or are frustrated and anxious in their jobs (and
that's no small number) run a greater risk of suffering such pain. "Onset
of forearm pain was related to the level of satisfaction with support
from supervisors and colleagues," writes lead researcher, Gary Macfarlane
of the University of Manchester in Britain. Anyone for yoga class?
IN
BRIEF
Hazard Signs Phthalates are handy chemicals. The compounds are
used in products ranging from cosmetics (as stabilizers) to detergents
to plastic (as softeners in flexible stuff such as blood bags, food
packaging and children's toys). The problem is they are also suspected
of interfering with childbirth and to cause cancer. Hence a recent study
by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta on the level of seven
phthalate metabolites in the human body. Researchers found several derivatives
in three quarters of the 280 odd people studied one type at higher
concentrations than expected. "Of concern, women of childbearing ages
[20 to 40 years] had significantly higher urine levels" of phthalates,
they noted. No one really knows the level at which the chemicals will
pose a risk. But the study provides data on which phthalates are more
likely to be absorbed into the body an important guide for determining
health consequences and limits on exposure.
Juicy Tip Grapefruit juice is good for you in many ways. But
maybe not when used to wash down pills, says a report in the Mayo Clinic
Proceedings. Unlike liquid extracted from other varieties of citrus,
grapefruit juice can inhibit enzyme reactions in the gut. This causes
the levels of some prescription drugs (heart medicine, for example)
in the blood to spike up. That can be dangerous, especially for the
elderly, who are more likely to be taking such medications. The report
warned that the juice should not be drunk to enhance the effect of prescribed
medicines because its impact can be unpredictable. So no experiments
with Viagra, please.
In Focus What happens when kids complain of frequent dizziness?
In some cities, they are often subjected to an array of diagnostic imaging
to check for tumors or other illnesses. But the cause may be something
far simpler. According to Pediatric Neurology, a French study showed
that such symptoms were cured in two-thirds of young patients by treating
their eyes. The researchers, who examined 523 children with vertigo
and dizziness, say the complaints may be due to simple ocular disorders.
Here's to avoiding unnecessary tests and better ocular screening
for children.
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