Employees who find it difficult to leave their problems at the office are much more likely to develop the condition, scientists said. Their study indicates for the first time that work pressure can actually make someone become an asthmatic.
Although most sufferers develop asthma in childhood, significant numbers are now diagnosed as adults. The research, from Heidelberg University in Germany, suggests stress at work could be one reason why. A team there tracked 5,000 men and women aged between 40 and 65 over eight years.
They found that among those free of asthma at the start of the project, there was up to a 40 per cent higher incidence of asthma eight years later if they suffered stress at work.
The signs were long working hours, demanding schedules and uncomfortable working conditions. The report, detailed in the journal Allergy, said: ‘Our study suggests work stress and the inability to relax after work are associated with an increased risk of asthma.’
Post published in: News