By Dr. K Kuhathasan
Recent
study undertaken by a professional body reveals that out of all occupational
diseases, occupational stress related heart disease is the number one killer in
Sri Lanka. Death due to occupational related heart disease exceeds the total
number of fatal industrial accidents. On an average, only 50 fatal industrial
accidents are reported annually. On the other hand, over 100 occupational
stress related heart disease deaths are reported annually.
Psychological
and physical causes
A
significant part of the health problems reported by managers can be attributed
to psychological as well as physical causes. Stress on job combined with
fatigue can cause not only psychological illness, but according to a large
number of studies, they can also contribute to a wide range of minor
complications and serious physical illnesses including heart diseases and
gastric ulcers. Stress at work is not always easy to define or to identify. The
human body is designed to react to certain stimuli by an increase in the
activity of a large number of different organs.
An
occasional reaction to external stimuli, is certainly not harmful, but may be a
necessity to the proper functioning of the physical system.
The
problem arises, however when a constant stressful state is encountered without
the possibility of recovering from it. For many such a situation of stress
exists almost continually at their place of work.
Varying
levels of stress can be identified in many different jobs, managers who have to
meet deadlines and those who have to often meet public demands are more prone
to be affected by stress. Jobs which demand constant thinking impose almost
constant stress. Stress of this nature over a period of time can cause a high
degree of nervousness and irritability and often the development of physical
symptoms such as loss of appetite, chest pains, insomnia, headaches, backaches,
toothaches, pains in the neck or shoulder, skin rashes and irregularities in
the menstrual cycle in the case of women.
What
causes stress?
·
Monotony
Research
tends to show that jobs with a high degree of monotony and little opportunity
for independent action can be very highly stressful. The same can be said of
jobs which are designed so as to minimize social contact with other people.
·
The nature of the job
You may
suffer stress reactions as a result of working conditions (temperature,
humidity, noise, vibration, and lighting, for example) or work overload (a work
load that is too heavy or too difficult); under load(too little work) can also
be a stressor.
·
Role in the organization
You
may suffer from role ambiguity or role conflict, Role ambiguity arises when you
are unclear about what is expected from you.
Role
conflict occurs when the job demands things that (a) you dislike, or disapprove
(b) Things are beyond the scope of the job description. Responsibility for
other people is another important role related stressor.
·
Interpersonal relationship.
Research
suggests that poor relationships between an employee and his or her superiors,
subordinates, and colleagues may be stressful.
·
Career development
For
many, especially those in the early phase of their careers, the desire to
advance rapidly may be a stress or for some others fear and frustration can
result when they reach a "career ceiling", the point at which they
can no longer advance within the organization.
·
Organizational structure and climate,
An
organization that does not encourage a sense of belonging, participation in
decision making, and good communication within its ranks is likely to generate
stress.
Factors
influencing reactions to stress
·
Personality Differences.
In
some cases, the individual's personality may make him or her more vulnerable to
stress. For example, two researchers have suggested that persons who exhibit a
behavior pattern they call "Type A" are very likely to have coronary
artery disease, often followed by heart attacks, in their thirties and forties,
Those who do not have this pattern (Type B) almost never have heart attacks
before the age of seventy (Friedman and Rosenman, 1974).
·
The "Type A" person's body
The
"Type A" person's body is in a chronic state of stress, with an
almost constant flow of adrenalin in to the bloodstream. This adrenalin
apparently interacts with cholesterol or other chemical agents to block the
coronary arteries, which lead to the heart. (it may be that high levels of
adrenalin prevent the normal chemical breakdown of cholesterol in the blood)
·
"Type A" people
"Type
A" people are always prepared for fight or flight, They have a great deal
of "free-floating" hostility that is, anger that has no real object
or focus. They are extremely irritable, and one of the things that irritates
"Type A" people most is delay of any kind.
They
become impatient waiting in line, always move and eat rapidly, often try to do
two or three things at one(such as reading while eating) and feel guilty when
they aren't doing something. They are also extremely competitive. In short,
"Type A" people are always struggling with time, other people or
both. Most people respond to the world with "Type A" behavior at some
times, but are not in a constant state of stress.
·
Another personality
Another
personality trait that can affect the strength of a stress reaction is
emotional expressiveness. Some recent research suggests that people who neither
express nor admit to strong feelings of despair, depression, and anger are more
likely to develop cancer than those who can give vent to their emotions.
Managing
Stress
·
Exercise.
Physical
exercise is very constructive way to reduce stress. It stimulates and provides
an outlet for physical arousal, and it may burn off stress hormones. Continuous
rhythmic exercise running or swimming, for example is not only effective
against stress but also ideal for respiratory and cardiovascular fitness, One
study of longshoremen (Paffenbarger and
Hale, 1975) found that level of physical activity serves to protect
against heart disease.
·
Improving Interpersonal Skills.
A
great deal of the stress we undergo today results from interpersonal relations.
Developing skill in dealing with other people family, friends, co-workers is
thus one of the best ways to manage stress, There are several advantages to
being able to interact well with others: increased self confidence and self
esteem, less chance of loneliness or interpersonal conflict, and development of
social support systems.
·
Those who are prone to heart diseases.
It
has been suggested by an ILO group of occupational engineers that those who are
prone to heart diseases should avoid arduous occupations such as heavy lifting,
work in uncomfortable and dangerous positions or tasks requiring repeated and
prolonged movements around machines or work sites.
·
Others with specific heart disorders
These
people must be protected against exposure to heat, vagaries of the weather,
noise, vibration high or low atmospheric pressures and toxic substances. It has
also been suggested by an ILO panel of occupational engineers that those with
server hypertension must avoid sudden burst of effort, exposure to extreme
climatic conditions and other factors that may produce nervous fatigue such as
noise.
·
Heart Patients.
Heart
patients should certainly avoid
strenuous work, but should not avoid work at all. They must be occupied
with interesting jobs with lot of work satisfaction. They should feel that they
are performing some useful service to the community or to the industry. Even a
part time job is better than inactivity since regular physical and mental
effort has a favorable effect on the health of the cardiovascular patients.
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