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Long working hours lead to continuous contraction of the neck muscles and shoulder muscles
Headaches can be easily prevented, treated and controlled
Headache is one common symptom in the general population leading to loss of a day’s work. In the raging debate going on as to what is the right duration of time for a healthy body and mind, IT / corporate chiefs would like it to be 70-90 hours per week. In a study done in Japan in 2012 working for > 55 hours per week was associated with severe disabling headaches.
Dr Rohit Pai, Consultant Neurology KMC Hospital, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle, Mangalore shares all you need to know:
Causes of Work-Related Headaches
Long working hours lead to continuous contraction of the neck muscles and shoulder muscles. Working in front of computer for a long time, continued reading writing requires prolonged usage of neck and shoulder muscles. This will result in neck pain which in turn may result in headaches. This is called cervicogenic headache.
Long working hours result in sleep disorders. Reduced sleep is known to be a predisposing factor for headache. Prolonged working hours may result in anxiety and depression which in turn results in increased attacks of migraine. Night shift may be a risk factor for headaches in general and migraine in particular. Increasing physical activity and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle helps in reducing headaches. A study in Italy showed benefit of relaxation exercises once or twice per day and posture exercises (8-10 times every 2-3 hours) reduced headaches.
A study in Sweden compared two interventions, physical exercise or reducing weekly working hours to 37.5 hours which found that reducing work hours are more effective if those hours are used for physical exercise.
When to Consider Headaches as Serious
Headaches coming for the first time in life after the age of 50, change in the characteristics of headache compared to earlier, headaches associated with fever or altered consciousness are some of the ominous features of headache. If the headache is associated with personality changes, weakness or slurring of speech should lead us to consider a structural lesion like tumour as a cause of headache.
Nonetheless headache can be easily prevented, treated and controlled. Regular physical activity helps in preventing headaches. Avoiding prolonged sitting using improper postures should be avoided. Details of the headache and its associated features helps in identifying the cause of headache which if treated with appropriate medications can prevent loss of work hours.
