What driving in the city can do to your health

The travails of driving in the city and how to deal with them

We all know from personal experience that driving in city traffic is no walk in the park. A recent study, in fact, shows that the stress it adds to our lives is more than just a pain in the neck. The study conducted on 1,670 bus drivers by JT Obesity Solutions in Pune, in fact, finds that professional drivers are at greater risk of health problems like obesity and hypertension. They also tend to age faster. This also holds true for people who drive for more than 30 minutes at a stretch through the chaotic traffic of the city. This means that a sizeable population in the metropolises is putting itself at serious health risks, day in and day out, simply by driving to and from work.

“Traffic-related stress is said to be the highest degree of stress,” says Viveka Kumar, director of Cath Lab at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, Delhi. “It is related to cardiac problems and has also been found to precipitate a heart attack.”

The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a non-invasive test in which a device attached to a person’s hand records his blood pressure over 24 hours, shows that people’s blood pressure shoots up when they are driving through traffic.

“The pollutants emitted by vehicles also act as procoagulants (agents that promote the clotting of blood) and vasoconstrictors (agents that cause the narrowing of the blood vessels). These are very harmful for the heart,” says Kumar. He advises people to drive with their windows rolled up and the car air-conditioner on to keep the pollutants out.

There are ways of dealing with the stress too. Not only will this help the heart, it will also help you stay calm while driving rather than be in a combative state of mind. “Manage your life better and you are less likely to be stressed and irritable while on the road,” says Samir Parikh, director of mental health and behavioral  sciences at Fortis Healthcare in Delhi. “Do things on time instead of driving yourself to the point of last-minute frenzy. This also means allow for extra time for your journey — start 10 minutes early.”

The common point that both doctors make is: don’t break traffic rules. “If you are not rushing to overtake someone or jumping the traffic light, half the problem is solved,” says Kumar. “Your mind is relaxed, your heart is not pounding at the possibility of a slip-up and your body is not at the receiving end of your actions.”

Long hours behind the wheel without any scope for stretching also cause stiffness in the back and the neck. Therefore, maintaining a correct posture is critical. There are things you should and shouldn’t do, says spine surgeon Sudeep Jain, director of Delhi-based Spine Solutions India. “People often modify their car seats on their own. For instance, removing the head rest can be damaging as it leaves your neck more prone to pain. Remember, our vehicles are designed to provide an ideal sitting posture to the driver.” So, he says, it is better not to modify the basic structure of the seat because that might lead to spinal problems.

Try changing your posture if you experience persistent pain in the back while driving. “It is important to sit in a posture where your knees and hips are at the same level,” says Jain. “Also, adjust your seat at an angle of 100 to 110 degrees in order to support the upper part of your body.”

To help alleviate back pain, you can use a cushion to support your spine. “A variety of cushions and lumber supports are available in the market that can help relieve and prevent back pain,” says the spine surgeon. Allowing adequate leg space is also critical. Position your seat so that your feet can easily reach the pedals without causing any strain to your body, says Jain.

A drive that exceeds half an hour is a long drive. “So, if you have no choice but to be on the road for more than 30 minutes every day,” Kumar advises, “use public transport or hire a driver or else opt for a car pool.”

Learn to recognise signs, like the tightening of the shoulders and hunching of the back over the wheel, that tell you your body is in tension. Loosen up and drive safe.