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Work is essential to continue living, but it can also be as perilous as dying. The key to surviving life is to work to afford the demands of living adequately. People who are constantly working hard are motivated by their personal desires and wants in life – a house, car, travel and vacations, lifestyle and much more. Nonetheless, the human body is not an omnipotent that can withstand time and stress. Even though how sophisticated the machine is, there will ultimately come a time that it will reach its limits and will break down. If machines are prone to such situations, the human body is also capable of doing the same.
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Stress is one of the most common battles a working person must deal with. It can cause physical symptoms that may affect work performance. There have been studies presenting the link between the gastrointestinal problem and stressful jobs especially those with shifting schedules. When the body is in a nerve-wracking situation, the reaction of the gut becomes unbearable and most of the time that it can even lead to an embarrassing situation. An immediate trip to the comfort room can be inevitable if placed in a very stressful event.
Are you getting enough zees?
The body has its circadian rhythms responsible for the regular functions of the body. When this rhythm is altered, like having an irregular work schedule, tendencies are it can lead to some erratic eating habits that can affect gastrointestinal functions. Jagged eating patterns may also change the normal flora inside the gut. Thus, workers who have this kind of work set up usually suffer from diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and abdominal pain.
Common GI Problems
But more than these symptoms there could be a potential underlying GI problem. The following are some of the common GI problems experienced by workers.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)– a chronic GI condition triggered by stress, food, and hormone wherein the affected portion is in the large intestine. IBS commonly results in spasms, stomach pain, bloating, excess gas, and loose bowel movement or constipation.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – constant stress and improper eating habits can lead to reflux or regurgitation of stomach acid to the esophagus causing extreme burning pain in the anterior chest. Commonly mistaken as a heart attack, this heartburn condition, can be minimized if adequate stress management is practiced. Also, the disease is managed through changing lifestyle behaviors like eradicating alcohol and caffeine intake, fatty foods and stop smoking.
Functional Dyspepsia (FD) – a chronic disorder of sensation and peristalsis in the upper digestive tract. The amplified sensation in the upper gut results in distressed motility caused by uncoordinated and even inadequate emptying of the upper gastrointestinal tract causing pain, bloated feeling and inability to consume meals. Heartburn, excessive burping, nausea, and at times vomiting can also be experienced by a person with FD.
Your Preventive Actions
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The lifestyle and dietary practice of workers play a vital role in maintaining the health condition of the GI tract. It is advisable never to skip meals despite the heavy work schedule. A balanced meal can also eliminate problems of ulceration and acid refluxes. Lastly, one must practice positive coping skills and stress management to combat the demanding work scenario.