Looking to launch a new career in transportation? Enjoy the open road and escaping the office drudgery? You might want to consider becoming a truck driver.
There simply aren't enough long-distance drivers available right now. As a result, many trucking companies are willing to pay drivers top dollar to come and work for them. Some truckers are even starting off with salaries of $80,000 or more.
This might make life as a trucker sound enticing. But there are some risks that you'll have to put up with when you're working as a long-distance truck driver.
Check out four common risks that long-distance drivers face as far as their health is concerned.
1. Obesity
America as a whole has an obesity problem. Studies have shown that more than 160 million people in this country are either obese or overweight.
But obesity is even more problematic for long-distance drivers than it is for the rest of the population.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70% of all truckers are obese.
It's important for truckers to find ways to exercise and stay fit, even when they're out on the road.
They also need to maintain a well-balanced diet to keep themselves healthy.
2. High Blood Pressure
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. It kills more than 600,000 people every year.
And oftentimes, heart disease is caused by high blood pressure. Those who have elevated blood pressure levels are more susceptible to both heart disease and stroke.
The CDC says that a little more than 25% of truckers report having high blood pressure. That's right above the average for other U.S. workers.
3. Diabetes
According to the CDC, about 9% of Americans have diabetes. That number jumps all the way up to about 15% for truck drivers.
Diabetes is a disease that causes a person's blood sugar levels to spike. It's often caused by the high blood pressure that we just mentioned or a number of other factors.
Diabetes can cause big problems for truck drivers when they're out on the road. They don't always have time to check their blood sugar levels, which can lead to their blood sugar levels climbing higher than they should.
Young truckers should do what they can to avoid diabetes in the first place. It'll allow them to do their jobs much better later on in life.
4. Accident-Related Injuries
Any time a truck driver is hauling a load, there's always a chance that they could be involved in a truck accident. In some instances, an accident could lead to their death, as there are about 4,000 people killed in truck accidents every year.
But at the very least, most truck accidents result in injuries, both for truckers and for those driving passenger vehicles. Truck drivers should take all the proper precautions to avoid accidents, and they should also contact an attorney if they're ever involved in one.
Long-Distance Drivers Need to Be Careful Behind the Wheel
Driving a truck for a living might seem simple enough. But as you've seen, long-distance drivers routinely deal with a long list of health risks.
Do what you can to prevent these health risks from affecting you. It'll allow you to get more out of driving a truck and keep you and others safe.
Read our blog to see some exercises truckers can do to improve their health. Click on the Frugal Fitness and Healthcare sections of the site!
