Traffic Jams Are Bad for the Health

There’s a bar called “TRAFFIC.” When the husband came home so late at night, the wife asked, “Where have you been? Why are you so late?” The husband answered, “I was stuck in TRAFFIC.”

Of course, this is an old joke. But these days, being stuck in traffic is now a ready and perhaps legitimate answer for coming home late at night. Traffic woes in the Metro Manila have worsened and had affected drivers, passengers, commuters, pedestrians, schoolchildren, the neighborhood, and you name who and what. It’s been spreading like a plague. It actually is. Traffic jams kill! And when I said the word “kill,” I was referring to the real meaning of the word.

Health risks from heavy traffic (the lungs)

The heavy traffic in major roads, alternate streets, and almost all thoroughfares in Metro Manila can result to major health problems in the lungs. Air pollution that can cause lung diseases, such as bronchitis, exacerbation of bronchial asthma, recurrent respiratory infections, allergies, and not to mention cancer can emanate from long hours of snail-pace driving and being stalled in the streets. Recent data from studies showed that microelements or air pollutants emitted by cars caught in traffic in the metropolis has reached peak pollution levels. In other words, air pollution brought about by worsening traffic problems is hazardous to the lungs.

Traffic can affect the heart

In 2010, the American Heart Association reported that short-term exposure to air pollution can result to heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, and strokes. The risks are higher in the elderly, persons with diabetes, hypertension, and long-standing heart disease. The anxiety-producing situation aggravates heart problems. A heart attack can happen right inside a car, though air-conditioned it may be. Toxic gas fumes from the car itself can find its way inside the car when air exchange is inefficient because of hours in traffic. Chronic diseases of the heart and also those of the lungs result to more clinic and hospital visits. These translate to increase in hospital expenses and bills.

Posture and back pains

Getting caught in traffic for long hours can result to upper and lower back pains. It can also affect posture and the symmetry and balance of the back because of prolonged sitting. Low back pains result to loss in job hours and decrease or loss in productivity.

Other health risks

Anxiety and tension in driving can result to disorders of the gastrointestinal system, including gastritis and peptic ulcers. Too much sitting can also result to hemorrhoids of all types and varicosities of the legs. Traffic affects wellbeing. It can result to road rage, traffic-related altercations and crimes, and various anxiety disorders when meetings, business, schedules, and appointments are not met.

Therefore: TRAFFIC=HEALTH RISKS=ILLNESS=INCREASED MEDICAL BILLS=SHORTER LIFE SPAN.