Illness is not an uncommon aspect of life. Several natural and environmental factors contribute to the deterioration of well-being. With thousands of disease-causing agents, some professions additionally contribute to the decline of the workers’ health.
Research studies estimate that occupational hazards influence two-thirds of professionally active people around the world. Specifically, coal mining, construction work, sandblasting, and night shifts are even more destructive for workers’ well-being.
As a result, even excessive caution and care cannot prevent concerned workers from falling ill. Profession-related health hazards can have a damaging impact on the life and livelihood of concerned professionals.
At this point, it is crucial to identify the specific connection between recurrent diseases and occupations – and distinguish whether a person is affected due to occupational health complications or other reasons. One of the common indicators is that the onset of the same disease is higher in some professionals than in the rest of the population. The following sections explore some of the common work-related health hazards and their consequences.
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Suffering from incurable diseases
Certain occupations expose individuals to health hazards due to repetitive and prolonged exposure to chemicals and heavy metals. Regular and high quantity doses of such substances can develop life-threatening conditions, such as mesothelioma.
Asbestos is an inorganic substance capable of causing malignancy. It is an incurable disease mostly occurring in individuals who had asbestos exposure. The severity and dangers of such chemicals are severe to the point of petitioning for legal help.
Apart from the immediate medical treatment, affected individuals must find an attorney to deal with professional complications after filing a medical lawsuit against a negligent employer. They can guide clients toward commendable compensations against a company that failed to provide sufficient protection against harmful toxins.
Carcinogenic ailments are threatening for the well-being and capable of disturbing the entire family and social structure. Hence, getting adequate support and awareness is essential to deal with the severity and impact of side effects.
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Mild and prolonged chest infections
Respiratory and upper body infections are one of the common health problems of work-related hazards. Smoke, smog, and chemicals released during construction or industrial activities can irritate airways, including the throat and nose.
In addition, frequent exposure to such irritants can also trigger and complicate previously dormant asthma. Long-term contact with harmful substances can further intensify complications and cause severe diseases, such as obstructive pulmonary infection. Ignorance or delayed treatment can transform these ailments into lung malignancies, such as adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma, and mesothelioma.
In the advanced metastasis stage, these cancers can affect other organs and parts of the body by spreading through blood. If you are recently suffering from chest infections and exhibit a work-related history of chemical exposure, it is better to consult medical professionals.
Immediately seeking medical assistance can prevent the progression of the disease into incurable stages. In the early stage, it is possible to utilize treatment options and prevent life-threatening consequences.
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Dermatitis, irritation, and allergy of the skin
Several dermis or skin infections are also common signs of exposure to occupational hazards. Direct exposure and contact with certain substances can cause skin irritation, allergy, and other complications of the skin. Sometimes, workers’ negligence and improper usage of protective gears also increase the likelihood of skin diseases.
Patients suffering from dermis sensitivity can represent various symptoms, such as burning, reddening, and blisters on the outer layer of their skin. In some cases, localized swelling on hands and drying or cracking of the skin indicate the side effect of exposure to irritants or chemicals. Usually, patients with dermis complications also experience pain and oversensitivity.
A variety of physical, biological, and chemical agents cause skin infections and diseases. For instance, individuals working with phenols, catechols, and formaldehyde are more prone to developing leukoderma.
Similarly, tinea corporis or ringworm infection is one of the biological causes of dermis diseases. It is a skin condition where chemicals damage pigmented cells of the skin, causing white spots. Other commonly occurring skin infections in the occupational category include allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and radiation dermatitis.
In severe cases, these infections can transform into skin cancers and become even more threatening.
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Musculoskeletal ruptures and fractures
Fractures and bone damages are frequently occurring complications of working in heavy-duty and construction-related occupations. Some movements and activities, including bending, kneeling, weightlifting, and stair climbing, can undermine bone health and strength.
Fractures are also possible in work-intensive activities. When workers are heedless of safety measures, such complications are even more frequent.
On the other hand, muscular splits and ruptures are relatively more common than bone fractures. It is because outer protective layers, including skin and muscles, readily come in contact with danger. For instance, overuse of selective joints can damage surrounding muscles and cause diseases like lateral and medial epicondylitis.
These conditions are soaring and inflammations of the elbow tendon due to extensive and overloaded movements. Similarly, intensive use of wrist muscles can compress nerves and trigger conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. In the occasional cases, osteoporosis and arthritis also have some degree of occupational association.
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Post-traumatic stress
Stress and anxiety are universal side effects of unhealthy working conditions and occupational practices. Some traumatic experiences complicate routine stress into severe complications. Unusually extensive active hours, everyday workplace challenges, layoffs, and low incentives maximize the probability of work-related stress and trauma.
Unhygienic working conditions, minimum job satisfaction, and insufficient sleep transform stress into chronic depression. Research studies caution that jobs related stress not only disturbs sleep but prepares favorable conditions for wide-ranging and severe health complications. For example, mood swings, unusual circadian rhythm, obesity, and heart attacks are common in individuals engaged in night shift work.
In addition, recurrence and prolonged duration of such activities can increase the likelihood of developing malignancies, such as breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
Conclusion
Occupational health consequences are undeniably damaging for the workers’ health, social and economic well-being. The impact of occupational hazards can be impressively severe and long-lasting.
Hence, it is critical to minimize exposure to harmful substances and utilize standard safety and protection measures. In addition, concerned authorities should propagate essential training on health dangers and encourage workers to practice necessary safety measures.
