Workers Compensation Lawyers
Thousands of people are employed at jobs where they spend the bulk of their day behind a desk, usually staring at a computer screen. There are many health issues that can arise as a result of sitting for long periods of time, as a Milwaukee work injury lawyer knows well. Experts have written many reports stating that there is a strong connection between sitting and a higher mortality risk. If you work at a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time and you have developed health issues because of the extended time sitting, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
As soon as you suspect that an illness or condition is a result of sitting at your job, report your findings to your supervisor. See a doctor and get his diagnosis and recommendations in writing.
There are many negative effects that can occur as a result of sitting for long periods of time at a desk. Here are just a few:
Inactivity Breeds Inactivity
The longer you sit at your desk, the less time you are utilizing any energy. This raises the risk for obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. You need to move around to expend energy.
Metabolism Slows
Continued sitting decreases muscle contractions, which in turn slows the process of clearing fat from the blood. The effects of insulin are also reduced.
Poor Posture
Poor posture can put pressure on your lumbar discs. Sometimes surgery to replace the lumbar disc is necessary to relieve the pain and restore mobility. The pressure also causes your shoulders to curve and your head to bend forward. Headaches are also a result of keeping your head and neck at certain angles for extended period of times.
Metabolic Syndrome
A group of risk factors, including sitting at a desk for a long period of time can contribute to metabolic syndrome, which raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as stroke or diabetes.
Less Social Interactions
If you sit at your desk all day working on the computer, most of your interactions will probably be over the internet, thus reducing time spent socially interacting with others.
Depression
Your computer becomes the primary way to communicate and may cause you to feel depressed or lonely. You also need the vitamin D found in natural sunlight to help alleviate depression. Staying inside at your desk does not allow you to absorb vitamin D from the sun on a regular basis.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is another condition that arises from long periods of sitting.
Weight Gain
If you sit at a desk all day you run a higher risk for becoming obese. You have to be more intentional about exercising to counteract the effects of being sedentary.
Diabetes
Your body cannot metabolize sugar properly if you are sitting at your desk and not moving. As a result you reduce your sensitivity to insulin, which is a hormone that moves glucose from your blood to cells for energy consumption. When this process breaks down, you are susceptible to becoming diabetic.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Hickey & Turim, SC for their insight into workers comp and injuries.