Hey! Did You Truckercise Today?

“Truckercise” Because Truckers Health Depends On It

“Truckercise” is a regimen of exercises specifically for truck drivers. It is designed to keep drivers healthy, fit, and alert. Truckercise has 80,000 pounds of educational and instructional information condensed into a 12 minute DVD that is just long enough to keep today’s truck driver’s attention. The actual exercises will take 25 to 35 minutes.

Trucker’s health [is] a problem as the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health are doing a study as to why the death rate in Truckers is eleven times higher than the general workforce. We already know that lower-back pain, hypertension, heart attack, ulcers, cancers of the stomach, prostate, lungs and bladder have been found to be prevalent in truckers.

We at Boo Boo Cat Productions, L.L.C. are excited about “Truckercise” and its potential and are asking for your support, endorsement or any help to spread the word about “Truckercise.”

I have been on Fox news television and Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 147 Road Dog Truckin Radio’s Freewheelin show. I have been selected for “Health Hero” in the September issue of Truckers News. All information on getting your copy of Truckercise including the Fox news interviews and other facts are on the website http://truckercise.net

Radiofrequency Ablation A Different Approach to Treating Cancer 

TruckerToTrucker is dedicated to helping those in the trucking community in as many ways as possible so we try to branch out and pass along information that might improve not only trucker working conditions and economics, but also the many other challenges that are faced by our friends in the trucking community. 

Chances are that you know someone that is being treated for cancer.  Cancer is the second leading cause of death, with heart attacks being number one.  There are a wide variety of treatments available, but there is a relatively new treatment available that may offer hope for recovery without radical surgery or the nasty side effects of chemotherapy or radiation treatments.  It's called Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). 

RFA generally consists of a small incision where an needle or tube is inserted and guided to the location of the tumor.  Sometimes no incisions are necessary.  The tumor is then heated up and this results in the elimination or at least lessening of the size of the tumor.  This type of treatment can be used for a number of types of cancer and seems to be very effective.  Obviously there are limits and there are always risks associated with any medical procedure, but this is an option that appears not to be widely known.  There is minimal pain associated with this procedure and recovery times are generally measured in a few days.  Not all hospitals or doctors may have the equipment or skills to perform this type of surgery.    

Specific information is available for lung cancer and for those who might be suffering from liver cancer.  

Stay Healthy on the Road 

Want to stay healthy on the road?  There is one very simple rule to follow. Wash your hands!  The constant reminder  to folks to wash their hands often goes unremembered or disregarded by many in a hurry and this oversight causes tens of thousands of illnesses every year.  In fact many attribute the lack of clean hands to the majority of cases of colds or flu every year. 

Colds, flu, diarrhea and a host of other common afflictions and disorders is simply the result of bacteria on our hands that enters our bodies as we rub our eyes, bite fingernails, insert fingers into noses, eat with unwashed hands or otherwise provide opportunities for the germs on our hands to enter our bodies. 

It takes about 30 seconds to sanitize our hands.  One has to wonder why we risk illness over such a short period of time.  Every day, we open and close doors, come in contact with a variety of contaminated surfaces, shake hands with others and touch things that are teeming with bacteria.  Did you ever wonder what might be lurking on the steering wheel?  It might be advisable to take a disposable sanitizer and give it a ride around the steering wheel every once in a while. 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests the following technique for hand washing  

• Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap. Lather well.
• Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
• Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
• Rinse well.
• Dry your hands with a paper towel.
• Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

I'd go one step further especially prior to eating – use the paper towel that you may have dried your hands with to open the restroom door.  Sorry – I can't help but think of all those people that use restroom facilities and don't wash their hands. 

If water is not available there are many hand sanitizers on the market that will work well.  One note of caution, they should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.   

You don't have to be paranoid about washing your hands, but do be conscientious about this routine hygiene task. It will prevent many common illnesses.   

NOTE:  I don't know if I have an above average immune system, are amazingly lucky or it is that I am am conscientious about washing my hands, but I haven't had a cold or flu for over 10 years!

STRESSED?  Try a Banana

There are plenty of things that raise our stress levels, but what can be done on the road to reduce stress?

I read a report recently that says a banana is the answer.  Seems that bananas are high in potassium which is used up by our bodies when we are stressed and a banana replaces that potassium thus helping to relieve stress.  They are also high in B vitamins which help calm our nervous system.

The article states that bananas contain sucrose, fructose and glucose along with a dose of fiber which is said to give us an almost instant burst of energy.  Bananas are used by athletes to boost their energy level before participating in an event.  Huh! Perhaps some of those steroid users should have just eaten a banana.

Bananas are said to have other qualities that are desirable too. They are said to help control our weight by reducing cravings, sooth ulcers, eaten regularly will help prevent strokes, heal the effects of heartburn, help overcome constipation and also help with PMS because the contain vitamin B-6 which prevents mood swings.

I don't know if a banana will really do all that is claimed, but I think I'm going to try some and see what happens.  I think I'm also going to have some on hand to give to some of the people about me that cause me to have stress in the first place.

I know a dispatcher that  should probably eat two or three everyday. And when I get home, I've got an idea – I'll eat one just before I get there and bring some to my loved ones.  "Hi honey, I'm home – I brought you a banana."

We've been talking about health issues that affect truckers recently. Escalating health insurance costs, increasing workers compensation claims and driver shortages are motivating trucking companies to address the health problems of their drivers.

Wellness programs are springing up across the country. Trucking companies are providing free health screenings, weight-loss programs, exercise coaches and onsite nurses -- all geared to improve the health (and performance) of their drivers.

Here's a rundown on the positive steps some trucking companies are taking to help drivers live a healthier lifestyle.

• Celadon Group, Inc. takes a pro-active attitude about health. They've stationed nurses at their Indianapolis, IN center and doctors are always on call. Their 3,200 drivers are encouraged to get regular blood pressure and cholesterol check ups. Celadon pays all expenses and says their wellness measures have decreased the firm's annual health care costs by $10 million.
• Melton Truck Lines out of Tulsa, OK hired a wellness coordinator and offers an individualized 12-week weight-loss program. They've even stocked their HQ vending machines with green tea, diet soda and water.
• Con-way Freight in Ann Arbor, MI initiated a wellness program at its Los Angeles hub two years ago. As a result, annual workers' comp claims have dropped by 80% and lost work days by 75%. The program is now available at all Con-way hubs.
• Schneider National Inc. based in Green Bay, WI screened its entire force of 10,000 to 15,000 drivers for sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that occurs during sleep and can leave sufferers groggy and tired. The 10% of their drivers found to have the condition were provided with free special air masks to help them sleep.

Next time: What you can do to live a healthier life.

Health concerns have been front and center on Trucker to Trucker's Trucker Talk lately and with good reason. For men and women who have one of the most hazardous jobs in the U.S., we're not taking care of ourselves. Among truckers obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, exhaustion, depression and smoking take a heavy toll on health. A trucker's lifespan is 5 to 10 years less than the average American's. Fully 17% of Americans who die on the job are truckers. Truckers account for the highest number of highway fatalities and many of us don't even bother to strap on our seatbelts -- too tough to get it over our guts!

"Drivers have few opportunities for exercise and limited choices for meals," said Scott Madar of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. If your only option is fast food and there's no chance for exercise, you're on the fast track for obesity, hearth disease and other ailments."

Trucker health is at the top of the agenda at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which is considering tightening rules about driving with diabetes and high blood pressure. (It will take a year of study and discussion before substantive changes are implemented.) Trucking companies concerned about rising health plan costs, driver turnover and growing driver shortages are moving to help drivers improve their health. Melton Truck Lines out or Tulsa, OK is one of several companies that offers a weight-loss program and wellness training for its drivers.

"It takes a while to undo years and years and years of unhealthy behavior," said Christie Cullinan of the American Trucking Association. "But I think companies are having to look at this because of the skyrocketing health-care costs and related workers' compensation costs."

Some of the most important health issues facing truckers are:

• obesity and stress which can lead to high blood pressure and diabetes
• poorly designed work spaces (truck cabs) which can cause back and neck injuries
• highest rate of musculoskeletal injuries among US workers, often from loading/unloading
• exposure to hazardous chemicals
• work atmosphere laced with diesel fumes which can cause chronic lung problems
• smoking which can cause cancer and chronic lung problems
• high number of fatal injuries, 2/3 caused by highway accidents
• extreme fatigue, 1/3 of trucker accidents caused by dozing at the wheel
• dependence on stimulants to stay awake
• depression and loneliness from isolation on the job
• divorce rate higher than the national average

In order to maintain their licenses, drivers must pass a physical every two years. Commercial drivers with severe high blood pressure or severe heart conditions lose their licenses, but other health issues like weight and smoking aren't regulated. The government has begun a new effort to educate drivers about the link between good health and safe driving. Trucking companies are starting to sit up and take notice. It's past time we did too.

Stay tuned. In our next posts we'll take a look at what trucking companies are doing to address health issues and what you can do to live a healthier lifestyle.

Interesting bit from Michelle......

Please Beware:

This story on How Trucking Companies are trying to help their Drivers get fit and healthier? on July 10,2007 in the Tampa Tribune(Business section on page2.) caught my eyes. I have a few comment that I would like share with you.

Are you aware of these things:
How some of these trucking companies are covering up about drivers with breathing problems from mold and other things?
How they are refusing to pay for their drivers' medicial treatment ?

Some of these trucking companies are just cover everything up  and mold infected trucks as the driver are being lied to  and saying that  its from smoking even if they don't smoke and molds kills. They are refusing to pay for medical for these drivers.
You may be wondering how I know about this matter?  I  have a friend and he told me and has proof  that he has  molds in his lungs and serious breathing problems.  John Hopkins is the only true mold hospital in this country  in Baltimore, Maryland.

Someone who worked for this trucking company told my friend about the flood trucks from Katrina and how a few of those trucks had slipped passed them but they had cleaned most of them and put back on the road some of these will have mold if not all of them. There are a lot of drivers who have complained about breathing problems from driving their company trucks. Most of these drivers are fathers and mothers also there are lady drivers some with little children who may lose a parent due to the molds.

 I am very upset & very concern for my friend  as he is not getting better and being without any treatments,tests and medicines, his lungs are breathing only with 1/3 of air as the lungs are on fire and is very painful. He has told me that everything that he eats and drinks taste like MOLDS!! YUCK!! This is scaring me. This matter needs to be look into as there are many other drivers having this kind of health issue and not knowing its. How would you feel if this was happening to your Dad, Uncle, brother or your own son? Maybe Your Mom, Aunt, sister or your little girl?   What would you do?

We hope that you will help by  bringing this to the public's eyes as someone might know a driver having these problems and it might be caught early enough for them to be treated. Most doctor are shying  away from this because these trucking companies don't want to pay and they can't give the treatments for free as its cost too much.
For example:
Its costs over $5000 for 8 hours of treatment not counting tests, xrays or ct scans and shots and IV's as  this can be very dangerous.

These  companies thinks that the driver should go back to driving and if he gets in a wreck and they aren't at fault but they stop their workers comp but these drivers has to eat and pay bills  even doctor bills and meds as no one wants to help so  the driver go back to work and maybe get killed or hurt someone. Most professional drivers with over 10 years driving wouldn't put the public in danger  but the companies think not being able to breath isn't a risk, so either way  you go back to work or you dont have a job.

This driver has had 30 years driving a truck and trailer  and the company is out of Omaha, Neb. I haven't named the company but they are very big and have blue trailers in their dry van fleet with the company name on its. Also Neb. workers comp filings are public records and lawyers have contacted injured workers every day about their cases.

I would like to thank you for your time and understanding.I hope you will please look into this matter.

Laura stopped by and left us some great info for Truckers with Diabetes....

July 20, 2007
Truck Driver to Appear on National Television on dLifeTV
Florida Resident Fits the Exact Profile for Producers
For people with diabetes, getting control of one’s glucose levels is always the ultimate goal, but for many it’s an ongoing struggle. For Kathleen, Florida resident Nancy Younger, who has diabetes, being a full time truck driver and balancing her diabetes is now making her a mini-celebrity.

The producers of dLifeTV — a national, weekly, newsmagazine show about diabetes, airing on CNBC Sundays at 7:00PM Eastern — were looking for someone for their “Real People, Real Stories” segment, which features individuals who have inspiring stories related to living with diabetes. Ms. Younger found that exercising at various truck stops by walking around the parking lot, staying in touch with her doctor and watching what she ate greatly improved her blood glucose control and offered her the opportunity to lose weight.

dLifeTV with the second show of its new season offers viewers the opportunity to see first hand what it is like living on the road; truck stop to truck stop with diabetes when they hear Nancy Younger’s story and more on July 22nd at 7:00PM on CNBC. Bill Younger, Nancy’s husband and also a truck driver, also appears on the show to discuss how he supports his wife in her ongoing battle against diabetes.   dLife TV is the brainchild of Howard Steinberg, who is executive producer of the seven-time, Telly Award-winning show, and also lives with type 1 diabetes.

About dLife
dLifeTV is the first and only national, weekly, lifestyle series devoted to living with diabetes, and www.dLife.com is the largest, independent website with diabetes information. The dLife.com Viewing Room offers original streaming video content — unique and entertaining information for people with diabetes, with prediabetes, or who have a family member with diabetes. Produced by LifeMed Media, dLife is the first-ever multimedia platform for diabetes information, inspiration, and connection. dLifeTV airs every Sunday on CNBC at 7:00pm ET, 6:00pm CT, and 4:00pm PT. The dLife Diabetes Minute is heard on radio stations around the country and on XM Satellite Radio.