Is trucking hard on the body? In short, yes. While there are a few advantages to trucking, it’s also incredibly hard on the body. The job requires a high level of upper-body strength, which can be a real challenge for people who don’t like long periods of sitting. In addition to this, the constant vibration caused by a truck’s bed is particularly hard on the spine. The long hours spent on the road also pose a significant mental and physical toll on the trucker.
Many truckers turn to social media to get advice on dealing with the physical challenges of driving a truck. They share their experiences on Facebook groups, Twitter conversations, and blogs. One such group focuses on trucker health, and a recent member asked about dealing with gruesome accidents. Others in the group shared their experiences with intrusive memories, nightmares, and more. It’s no wonder that trucking is so hard on the body and mind.
What Do Truck Drivers Suffer From?
While truck drivers have their share of challenges, one of the biggest is loneliness. Many drivers don’t get enough sleep, leading to microsleeping – the phenomenon where a human body gets less sleep than it really needs. This can be deadly, especially for the driver of a semi-truck that weighs 15 tons. Thankfully, modern medicine has some sleep aids that can help these drivers sleep better at night, including CPAP machines and melatonin. Whether you’re new to the road, or you’ve been driving for years, you may want to seek medical attention for your sleep issues.
Long hours in the cab and in the truck are two other major causes of long-term health issues for truck drivers. Often, truckers are too tired to exercise after long drives, so they tend to eat unhealthy meals. Most truckers eat fast food and high-calorie restaurant meals instead of healthy meals, so their diet is not ideal. In addition, truckers often suffer from irregular sleeping patterns, as they’re required to sleep irregular hours and in uncomfortable trucks.
Why are Truck Drivers So Unhealthy?
The trucking industry has a reputation for being sedentary. Physical activity and healthy eating are still socially stigmatized in this industry. However, healthy drivers take pride in their overall wellness and enjoy motivating their co-workers. By following these tips, truck drivers can maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the road. By following these tips, truck drivers can reduce the risk of developing many chronic conditions. However, truck drivers should remember that these tips should not replace a healthy diet and exercise.
In addition, long-haul truck drivers often have poor diets and are prone to developing health problems. Only 14 percent of the country’s three million truck drivers are not overweight. Moreover, the hours of service make it difficult for truckers to schedule regular medical appointments and see a doctor. As a result, their symptoms are often ignored. This may be a contributing factor to their high rates of disease.
How Do Truck Drivers Stay Healthy?
For many truck drivers, eating healthy while on the road isn’t always easy. With the road as their home, truck drivers are faced with fast food chains, vending machines, and convenience stores. Instead of relying on these options, consider buying groceries for the trip and cooking your own food in the truck. When cooking, try to get as much produce and whole grains as possible, and make your meals as balanced as possible.
Although truck windows don’t block UV rays like windshields, they do not block out the sun. Because truck drivers spend most of their time in the driver’s seat, they are at increased risk of damage from the sun. Wearing sunscreen and wearing long sleeve shirts are excellent ways to avoid sun damage while on the road. You can also start a weight-loss program, starting slowly and achieving success over a short period of time.
Drink plenty of water. Truckers tend to eat unhealthy food in truck stops. Instead, stock up on healthy foods at a local grocery store. This way, they won’t be tempted by fast food. Portable appliances allow truckers to prepare nutritious meals on the road. In addition, truckers should hydrate often, and drink plenty of water. They should also keep water bottles in their trucks, which will allow them to drink water whenever necessary.
What is the Life Expectancy of a Truck Driver?
In a survey, nearly half of truck drivers admitted to smoking tobacco, and another quarter suffered from high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Nearly 15% had sleep apnea. In addition to smoking and drowsiness, the study also found that 58% of drivers were overweight, with a BMI of 30 or greater. Despite these grim statistics, truckers continue to be one of the most productive and healthy occupations in the United States.
Among the many health risks associated with truck driving, poor sleep is the most significant. Not only does the driver spend countless hours alone in the truck, but they are also exposed to toxic air. Sleep deprivation impairs immune function and increases the risk of chronic disease. In addition to the physical risks of driving, fatigue and long workdays are among the main reasons for the low life expectancy among truck drivers.
In addition to the physical risks of truck driving, the life expectancy of a truck driver is significantly lower than that of a US male. On average, a truck driver lives 61 years compared to an average US male of 68. Men also tend to live shorter lives than women, which may be related to the fact that they are typically the primary caretakers for their children. While accident-related death isn’t a significant factor, the lifestyle and environment of a truck driver are hard on their bodies.
Is Trucking a Risky Job?
Among the top industries for injuries, trucking ranks among the worst. The BLS reports that truckers die or are injured on the job at a rate that is about six times higher than the average worker. Fatigue and urban traffic are two factors that contribute to increased risk of accidents. The drivers also must work in unfamiliar areas with strangers, increasing the likelihood of an accident. A trucker’s fatigue can also have a detrimental effect on their driving.
Truck drivers also face several road hazards. Large trucks may not have the same visibility as cars, and it’s common for drivers to cut them off or swerve past them. This type of miscalculation can be disastrous. The number of hazards truckers face is staggering, and they must constantly be vigilant to prevent any mishaps from occurring. In addition, the dangers of truck driving go far beyond driving over the road.
What Problems Do Truckers Face?
Driving a commercial vehicle has its ups and downs, and being a trucker is no exception. Some issues are unavoidable, while others are more foreseeable. For example, truckers must be prepared to deal with inclement weather and fatigue. Distracted driving is a major issue, as is driving too fast for the conditions. In addition, drivers need to take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, and accidents can happen due to inclement weather.
A common problem truckers face is back and neck pain. Long hours behind the wheel lead to back pain, and truck drivers are prone to developing joint and tendon injuries. Sitting for long periods of time can cause a variety of problems, including deep vein thrombosis and chronic back pain. The best way to prevent or deal with these conditions is to make dietary changes and incorporate regular exercise into your routine.
Poor maintenance is another common problem. Dispatchers usually lax in maintaining their trucks, leaving truckers to take care of these issues on their own. Common problems include oil leaks, faulty sensors, engine failures, and door seals. Even if you are lucky enough to receive a good pay rate, truckers still often have to deal with poor maintenance. They are forced to pay for repairs themselves, and the trucking company may not be able to provide you with a reliable vehicle.
Why Do Truck Drivers Get Fat?
A common question that truck drivers have is “why do truckers get fat?” It is true that the average pay for a truck driver is similar to most other careers, but it can also be a dangerous one. Eating unhealthy food and eating fast food can contribute to weight gain and stomach expansion. Eating healthy foods is essential, but truckers often put their health on the back burner to support a family. To make matters worse, many truck drivers are not aware of the risk of developing obesity.
Long-haul truckers have numerous risks associated with obesity and chronic diseases. Not only do they spend long hours behind the wheel, but they are also forced to adhere to strict work schedules that may affect their sleep and metabolism. Also, there is not much time to exercise on the road. In addition, many truckers don’t have access to gyms. Truck stops are often too far apart to provide adequate exercise facilities.
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