Is my office job affecting my mental and physical health?

Did you know over 860,000 people work in offices across the United States?

The common office job is typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Eight hours a day, five days a week may not sound like much, but it certainly takes a toll on the body long-term. Both your mental health and physical health are affected by your office job, whether you realize it or not.  Keep reading to learn more about three ways sitting in an office chair all day affects your body and physical health long-term.

Neck and shoulder pain

We’re all guilty of hunching over to stare intently at our computers or to type that lengthy email, but the side effects on your body can be quite harsh and lead to chronic neck and shoulder pain. In fact, the average weight of a human head is about 12 pounds. So when you’re hunched over or tilting your head different ways, imagine a bowling ball weighing down your muscles that are meant to support your head. Pain in the shoulders and neck from staring at digital devices is referred to as “tech neck,” and it certainly doesn’t help that we’re usually looking down at our smart phones throughout the day. The muscles in our necks are working overtime to make sure our head stays up. Sitting in an office chair for several  hours a day can be damaging to your neck muscles if you are not sitting properly. In fact, sitting at 90 degrees isn’t great for your neck either. Try these tips below to relax your neck and shoulders and avoid chronic pain:

• Use an office chair that allows you the flexibility to lean back or that has a head rest for you to relax your neck
• Stop and do neck stretches every hour to loosen up the constricted muscles
• Be cautious of how long you’ve been staring down at something and fix your posture when needed

Depression and social anxiety

According to a workplace design and mental health report by Jennifer Veitch, Ph.D., “People who are employed full-time outside the home spend approximately 33 percent of their waking hours at their workplace.” Being in a small, enclosed space can increase the chances of someone developing depression or social anxiety, or worsening symptoms of someone already suffering with their mental health. Experts say that being in natural environments like parks or lakes are good for mental health while dim, artificial work spaces are not good for someone’s mental health.

Office jobs can also be isolating as face-to-face communication may be limited. Instead, coworkers communicate through direct messaging or email for instant gratification, thus leading to withdrawal from social situations and limiting one’s ability to connect with others. Ways to reduce social anxiety or depression in the workplace include:

• Placing plants in your office space – if you do not get enough sunlight in your office, fake plants can also work to boost your mood
• Get up and walk during your lunch breaks to get some fresh air
• Ask your coworker questions face-to-face rather than emailing them
• Decorate your office to make it feel like a comfortable, safe space that is your own

Computer Vision Syndrome (Eyestrain)

Staring at a computer several hours a day can be detrimental to your vision. The blue light and high visual demands from digital devices causes the eyes to develop computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS symptoms can include dry eyes, neck and shoulder problems, eyestrain and headaches. Maintaining an office job most likely requires you to stare at computers for at least half of your work day, and in most cases, about seven hours a day. Experts say to follow the 20-20-20 rule: take 20 seconds to stare at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes. Other ways to reduce the likelihood of CVS include:

• Purchasing blue light blocking glasses or replace current lenses with blue light blocking ability
• Make sure your computer is at eye-level and not a lower level where you are bending your neck or hunched over
• Blink! Blinking frequently prevents the eyes from drying out as quickly

Back pain

Not only is back pain a literal pain to deal with, but it can also lead to poor posture. There are many ways to position yourself to get work done in the office. Some people slouch, some may sit up-right and some may even choose to stand at their desk. Not everyone requires the same position, though. For example, office workers should adjust their chairs according to elbow, thigh and calf measurements and resting eye level. Lower back support is also a common way to measure the quality of office chair you are in. It is important to choose a chair with lumbar support. The lumbar spine uses the soft tissues in the back to help hold the body upright and support weight from the upper body. Just like all other muscles, if there is too much stress on the lumbar spine, it will become inflamed and become severely painful. To help aid in back pain, you can:

• Purchase an office chair or cushion made to support the back
• Pay close attention to your posture throughout the day and adjust accordingly
• Stand up and stretch your back by performing these stretches

Metabolic Syndrome

Mayo Clinic describes metabolic syndrome as “a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.” Conditions of metabolic syndrome can include high blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. People working in sedentary office jobs tend to have a slower metabolism, thus leading to weight gain or increased risk of disease. Generally, metabolic syndrome is caused by inactivity or obesity. To avoid metabolic syndrome or weight gain, it’s important to get up and moving as much as you can throughout your workday. You can try:

• Parking further away from your entrance for a longer walk into work
• Taking a 10-15 minute walk during your lunch break
• Getting up and stretching every 30 minutes you are sitting
• Making sure you are engaging in exercise a few days a week or on weekends

On Demand Occupational Medicine has an in-house immediate and primary care for all of your health needs. Be sure to call to schedule an appointment with one of our medical providers, or simply walk in.

While three fifths of Americans aged 18 to 64 are employed full time, millions of people struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) make up the employed population. Do you have someone with an SUD working at your company? We’re here to help you assess your workforce, implement safety features and educate you on relevant data on addiction in the workplace. 

Surprisingly, about 55% of those with an SUD are employed full time, breaking the stigma that those with addiction do not or can not hold down a job position. Twelve percent of part time employees are also struggling with an SUD, which is why it is even more important for employers to understand how to handle those with an SUD and implement programs such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or bring on Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP).

What programs can help an employee struggling with addiction?

Support is crucial for employees with an addiction in the workplace. While employees’ personal life can be unknown, employers must still take the steps to provide support or treatment options to their workers as they spend at least 20 hours at work a week. EAPs are work-based intervention programs designed to assist employees in resolving personal problems that may be adversely affecting the employee’s performance. Employers can choose to require an employee to opt-in to an EAP or can leave it as an option moving forward. Implementing an EAP can be as simple as providing 24/7 nurse advice lines or assisting financially in legal assistance.Employees enrolled in an EAP can be assessed, treated and followed-up with for any type of aftercare that may be needed, allowing employees to continue working and allowing employers to decrease employee turnover. 

What are the signs of workplace drug abuse and addiction?

The answer to this question can vary largely, and isn’t the same for everyone. However, there are a few common signs among those struggling with an addiction in the workplace. 

• Employee talks openly about money problems at home

This is an example that can be a bit tricky as it is easy to offend someone by assuming their money problems are a result of an addiction. If paired with other warning signs, it may be beneficial to sit down with an employee and bring in a human resource professional or even an SAP. 

• Employee hygiene has become a problem at work.

If an employee’s hygiene begins to decrease, such as noticeably not bathing or not maintaining facial hair or appearance, it can be a sign of someone struggling with an SUD. It is likely that someone is focusing more on their addiction than on their appearance, so it can be beneficial to once again bring in an SAP to address the issue.

• Employee behavior becomes erratic or there is a lack of productivity.

If an employee seems to be slacking off or acting unusual, it’s time to bring in a professional to assess the behavior and provide the appropriate mental health care to the employee. Behavior changes are one of the easiest and most common signs of drug abuse in the workplace and must be addressed right away to avoid potential workplace accidents. Reasonable suspicion drug testing comes in handy here as an employer has the right to require the employee to get tested for substances.

What can happen if an employee with an SUD goes undetected?

Unfortunately, workplace accidents are common in those with an SUD, resulting in injury to themselves or others, and in severe cases, death. The U.S. Department of Labor claims that 65% of on-the-job accidents are related to drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace. When workplace accidents occur, companies are likely to face thousands, if not millions, of dollars in workers compensation and healthcare costs. In fact, drug abuse in the workplace costs American companies about $81 billion a year. Some of these costs are attributed to healthcare costs while other debts are attributed to a decrease in productivity and absenteeism among employees with an SUD. No matter the company size, it is highly likely that at least one person with an SUD is employed there, and healthcare costs are likely to skyrocket despite employees being ‘high functioning.” 

Most employed people with an SUD are binge drinkers, which can result in higher healthcare costs due to decreased bodily functions or adverse health issues from alcohol. According to the Addiction Center, “drinking on the job can also lead to aggravated assault and sexual battery charges,” resulting in higher healthcare costs for any employees affected second handedly. Not only is your company going to face financial issues, but company employees become at-risk and experience a lower level of safety at work. 

The bottom-line

Employers must take the time to educate themselves on recognizing the signs of addiction in the workplace and have the necessary protocols put into place ahead of time. Recognizing an employee with an SUD can save a life, save company time and money and provide a healthier and happier work environment for all.

On Demand’s Newest Addition: Family Nurse Practitioner Alicia Warrick

On Demand is excited to welcome Alicia Warrick, FNP-BC as a family nurse practitioner practicing in On Demand’s primary care office. Alicia brings with her over 26 years of experience in the medical field and a passion to listen and assess patients’ needs.

Alicia started practicing as a nurse practitioner in 2018 after completing her bachelor’s degree at Waynesburg University and graduating from Franciscan University with a master’s in 2017. Alicia worked as an RN in the ICCU and ER for 26 years before going back to school to pursue her passion of becoming an NP.

Getting into the medical field was an easy decision for Alicia as she had always wanted to be someone who could help other people feel better about themselves and their health. “I feel I am a good listener which is always a positive thing when treating patients. Sometimes it is what they are not saying that is the clue to what is truly important in getting them on the right track to healthy outcomes,” says Alicia.

Alicia is married with two kids ages 27 and 25, and she is awaiting a grandbaby in June 2021. Alicia also lives with her “fur baby” that she loves very much.  Aside from practicing medicine, she enjoys the outdoors.

To schedule an appointment with Alicia, please call 330-623-6661 or visit our clinic in Austintown located at 5760 Patriot Blvd.

On Demand is proud to welcome Sara Pease, CNP, FNP-BC to the On Demand team as Chief Nurse Practitioner. Sara will be working to incorporate high quality immediate and primary care services for all ages into On Demand’s pre-existing adult immediate care.

Sara is active in the her community and the medical field. Currently, she serves as Secretary for the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses and is a member of AANP, ASAM and the National Nurse Led Consortium. Sara also recently created the Steubenville Chapter for OAAPN.

Sara graduated from Youngstown State University prior to  obtaining her Master of Science in Nursing from Malone University and completng a Fellowship in Academic Medical Education from Northeast Ohio Medical University. Sara is also passionate about the opiate addiction crisis in Ohio, and has completed her DATA waiver training which allows medical professionals to dispense or prescribe narcotic medications in settings other than an opioid treatment program.

During her 16-year career, Sara initiated many health and wellness programs such as a Vaccine for Children Program, a Breast and Cervical Quality Improvement Program and an Integrated Physical and Mental Health Treatment Program. Aside from being a part of the On Demand team, Sara practices primary care in an underserved population in East Liverpool, Ohio and also works in drug and alcohol treatment.

She has been recognized with the OAAPN Leadership Award in 2014, Outstanding Alumni Award Malone University in 2009, and the Superhero Health Center Award in 2008.

Sara resides in East Liverpool, Ohio with her husband Brian and their two children Parker and Sophia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

What you need to know about FMCSA final rule & Clearinghouse:

A new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) directive announced last month could mean steeper fines for drivers, carriers and medical review officers (MROs). The new DOT fine is more than double last year’s $2,500 per violation.

The DOT final rule, a part of the 49 CFR part 382 subpart G of the federal regulations, advises that “any employer, employee, medical review officer, or service agent who violates any provision” of the regulatory code is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,833.

As of the November 2020 report, the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse reported over 162,000 employers, 1,500 MROs, and 9,000 MROs / TPAs registered, while over 45,000 were cited for violating the regulatory provision and not registering last year.

A Clearinghouse violation could be anything from an employer accessing an employee’s driver’s record without proper consent, or failing to submit a Clearinghouse query when a new employee is on-boarded. A Clearinghouse query is “an electronic check in the Clearinghouse, conducted by an employer or their designated C/TPA, to determine if current or prospective employees are prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions,” according to its website.

It is important to keep up-to-date with Clearinghouse management, but it can definitely be time consuming for busy employers. Utilizing an external Clearinghouse management team can save employers time and prevent any headaches that may come with the entry and data process. On Demand can help your company manage your Clearinghouse and ensure all information is added and updated regularly. With new, expensive violation fees, it just makes sense to trust a TPA to manage and avoid any fees that may occur.

Additional updates included in the final rule are:

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holder who is convicted of violating an out-of-service order is subject to a civil penalty of at least $3230 for a first conviction and at least $6460 for a second subsequent conviction.

An employer of a CDL holder who knowingly allows or requires an employee to operate a commercial motor vehicle during any period in which the CDL holder is subject to an out-of-service order is subject to a civil penalty between $5833 – $32297.

On Demand TPA is here to help with all of your Clearinghouse needs. A complete management solution for you and your team with competitive prices. Visit our website for more information.

The cost of substance abuse in America’s school systems is great— both financially and morally. There are many benefits of drug testing students. Drug testing within school systems allows parents and teachers to get ahead of the problem and keep students engaged in healthy behaviors.

Is there really a problem with students and drug abuse?

Yes, the problem between students and drug abuse is an extreme one. In fact, students who begin using drugs at a young age are likely to continue the drug use by 12th grade and beyond. 

According to a study done by Drugfree.org, “by the time students complete high school, 70 percent have smoked cigarettes, 81% have drunk alcohol, 47% have used marijuana and 24% have used another illicit drug.” 

Substance abuse education must start at a young age to begin early intervention or prevent young kids from picking up their first drug. In fact, students who believe there is little to no risk in smoking marijuana end up being six times more likely to use long-term over students who believe there is moderate to extreme harm in using the drug.

When do students begin using drugs?

According to Drugfree.org, students may start as young as fourth grade. However, many students begin experimenting during the tween years and transition periods such as middle school to high school. 

Substance abuse counseling for teens can be enacted within school systems to add an extra layer of safety and prevention against drug use. However, a study showed that only 36% of public schools and 14.4% of private schools offer some form of substance abuse counseling for students. 

Each year, there are 13.2 million incidents where a 12- to 17-year old tries tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, Ecstasy or some other illicit drug.

What drugs can be tested? 

At On Demand, our medical professionals can test for: amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, opioids, PCP, propoxyphene, methaqualone, codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxycodone. While drug testing in schools, we usually resort to a hair follicle test which entails taking a snippet of hair from the back, underside of the scalp. However, there are other ways to test for drugs, such as urine, oral fluids and breath-alcohol. 

Selection of drugs to be tested for as well as testing methods can be customized at On Demand, and our medically trained professionals are always willing to provide training and further resources on the benefits of drug testing in schools and the workplace. Call our office to find out how we can test on-site, in our office and nationally: 330-270-3660.

What are the benefits of drug testing in schools?

Over 50% of teenagers, both middle school and high school, report that drugs are used, kept or sold at their schools— a scary fact for parents and school administration. School is supposed to be one of the safest places to send your child. Afterall, your child does spend 15% of their life at school.

Parent intuition isn’t always strong enough to know if your child is experimenting with drugs or not, which is why drug testing in schools is key to being proactive and catching up on any more arising issues. Drug testing in schools is likely little to no cost to the family if the school district is paying for it, so expense is not an issue for families who may not want to incur any extra costs.

Drug testing for sports or extracurricular activities is common in today’s school systems, but the problem between drug abuse and students goes further than extracurriculars. It would be beneficial for schools to drug test students at the beginning of each school year, with some random testing throughout the year.

To further protect students, drug K-9s and random drug testing can keep your school drug-free on a consistent basis. Drug K-9s can be booked through your local police department, however police departments try to refrain from sending their K-9s to schools as it can cause burn-out in the dogs and weaken their senses for a potential call for a drug bust. 

On Demand suggests using a private K-9 company that will come to your site and provide results immediately after the tour while allowing administration to decide the next steps of action instead of automatic criminal offenses.

Drug abuse and students: Prevention saves lives

The benefits of drug testing students can really be endless. Drug testing students can save a life, and stop a potential drug habit in its tracks. Reach out to On Demand today to find out how we can come on-site to your school and drug test students.

How does climate change affect me?

Climate change affects your health in many ways. Climate change is defined as “a change in the usual weather found in a place.” Climate change can range anywhere from heavy or no rains, or above-average temperatures anywhere across the world. Scientists have proved that climate change is real, one way or another, by examining the amount of human-made gases and carbon dioxide in the air and the co-occurring effects on the environment. Severe climate change and health are closely related, and we’re here to tell you how:

    1.Extreme Weather and Your Health

You may be wondering the correlation between weather changes and health. Have you ever heard of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? Seasonal changes affect people with SAD because the dark, gloomy and cold weather affects people’s moods negatively and can affect their wellbeing. However, SAD really isn’t caused by extreme weather. 

Instead, extreme weather such as hurricanes or wildfires can cause post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and extremely hot weather can interfere with certain mental health medications. 

Warmer summers are occurring across the country, making some cities see a higher death toll during the warmer months due to increased vulnerability among sensitive groups. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that “heat waves are also associated with increased hospital admissions for cardiovascular, kidney, and respiratory disorders,” proving that people’s general health is affected by the changing temperatures around us. 

Even if you do not belong to any of the at-risk groups, there are many other complications and consequences of extremely stressful exposures such as pre-term birth, low birth weight, and maternal complications. 

    2. Air pollution and Asthma

Air pollution is another way that climate change affects your health. If you’re someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, you know how important air quality is to ensure you stay healthy and avoid illnesses such as sinus infections. Extreme weather and air pollution coincide with one another, making seasonal allergies worse than ever. With that being said, asthma is also directly affected by air pollution and air quality. 

The chemicals used in factories and companies saturate the ozone, which ends up causing heat, concentrations of precursor chemicals, and methane emissions. Some air pollution, however, is natural and can not be prevented. If any of these harmful gases become abundant, the ozone begins to reduce lung function among people. 

Air pollution can also occur in a person’s workplace. For instance, if you work with chemicals or any type of carcinogen or allergen, you’re at-risk for more complications with your lung capacity and function. If you are someone who owns or works at a facility with these harmful elements, be sure you’re taking precaution and providing relevant safety measures. Looking to find out more about workplace safety measures? Click here for more information on our services and how On Demand Occupational Medicine can work with you and your team to ensure health and safety at the workplace. 

    3. Water Quality and Disease

Just a few examples of water-related diseases include Hepatitis A, Giardia, Salmonella and E. coli. Water quality isn’t always something you can control or keep track of at-home. Instead, agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works to regulate drinking water across the country and monitors the amount of chemicals or pollutants involved in public water systems. 

Water contamination occurs when water is not properly monitored, but the root of the problem goes deeper than just filtration— this is where toxins and harmful elements used by humans and large factories come back into play. Fertilizers and pesticides are some examples of overused and harmful toxins that can be absorbed into the soil causing it to become part of our water supply. It is important for farmers and factories to be mindful of the chemicals they are using.

When advice from the EPA and CDC are ignored, companies can be fined or even shut down depending on their violations. However, the effects on human life still linger as it may be too late to reverse the symptoms or illnesses brought on by poor water quality.

Tip: Purchasing filtration systems such as Brita can help to filter your tap water before consuming it.

Conclusion:

Climate change affects your health in many ways, and it is crucial to understand how you can help protect your health as well as others. Keep in mind not all of the above reasons are just examples of severe climate and health, but about human error in our ecosystem. Find out more on ways to help by visiting our friends at the World Health Organization.