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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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