GERD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 84
Why are law enforcement officers and first responders particularly at risk?
Certain occupational aspects of law enforcement and first
responder work may increase risk of GERD and related symptoms including:
• The weight gain and obesity that may result from irregular
schedules, unhealthy food choices and relative inactivity
during shifts may put you at increased risk;
• Taking certain medications for depression or anxiety that
may be a result of the stressful nature of this career path can
up the chances that GERD may develop;
• A recent study
=
=found= that
= = exposure
= = to disaster-related
= =
= environments,
such
as
recovery
work
in
the
intense
dust
=
=
= = =
=
=
=
= = cloud
following
the
Sept.
11
terrorist
attacks
on
the
World
=
= = =
=
=
= =
= Trade
Center,
may
contribute
to
the
development
of
GERD
symp=
=
=
= =
=
= =
toms.=Furthermore,
these
symptoms
may
be
worse
in
=
= =
=
=
=
=
=people=with
asthma
or
post-traumatic
stress
disorder
(PTSD).
=
=
=
=
=
= =
=
=
=
=
What can
= = you do= to= reduce
= risk= of GERD? =
=
=
=
=lifestyle= choices such as losing weight,
Making
healthy
= an active
= lifestyle,
=
= eating
= a healthy
= = diet
= =and stopping
leading
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
smoking can help reduce your risk of GERD. Be sure
to talk with
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
your doctor if you think your exposure to certain= disaster= situations
=
related
may be causing GERD symptoms. Treatment
=
= and
= may help= you feel
= better.
=
=
= =
is available
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
This message is sponsored in conjunction with HERO, Stay
Healthy Stay Strong. d
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■
DECEMBER 2015
85