European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 26, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Toyo up health diabetes being severely obese having Low Levels of Hal cholesterol or having family history of Early heart disease. Furthermore anyone found to have a High cholesterol level should undergo another blood test following a 12-hour fast in which total cholesterol Hal cholesterol and triglycerides another risky blood fat Are measured. This test would then be used to determine if cholesterol lowering treatment is needed either through diet alone or a combination of diet and drugs. At a recent conference on cholesterol sponsored by the american medical association or. William p. Castelli medical director of the Framingham heart study emphasized the importance of High density Lipoprotein in determining who is Likely to suffer a heart attack. The higher the hols the better he said. Most heart attacks occur in people with readings of less than 40 milligrams of Hal cholesterol. Several lifestyle modifications can raise this level among them doing regular aerobic exercise losing weight stopping smoking eating a lot of fish and drinking alcohol in moderation. There Are several cholesterol tests in use and most Are said to be consistent within themselves. But there can be considerable discrepancies Between different tests and even Between different laboratories using the same test. Reference standards to assure better reliability Are being developed. The National Institute meanwhile recommends that determination of your cholesterol level should be based on at least two tests especially if the first Reading was High. The Institute also suggests that you should be retested within one to eight weeks and if the difference Between the two results is less than 30 milligrams of cholesterol your level will be considered the average of the two readings. If the difference is More than 30 milligrams you should have a third test and average All three. For a person found to have a desirable cholesterol level below 200total serum cholesterol should be remeasured at least once every five years. Most experts recommend More frequent testing especially for those with other risk factors or with Levels above 200. If a cholesterol lowering diet or diet and drug treatment Are undertaken total cholesterol and Hal cholesterol should be remeasured in four to six weeks and again at three months. Keep in mind too that even when a cholesterol test is done by a reliable Laboratory a result of 200 has a margin of error the real Reading might be As Low As 170 or As High As 230, according Taa report in the consumer newsletter nutrition action. If you wish to feel secure in your rating As Low risk for heart disease that is under 200you should really aim for a cholesterol Reading of 170 or less. While dts Are not known to Emit rays that Hurt the eyes eyestrain is a real and common problem for people who spend much of their working Day looking at a glowing computer screen. Steps to avoid strains of computer use by Peter h. Lewis new York times sing a computer can be a pain in the neck the Back the arms the wrists shoulders the Knees the eyes and virtually every other part of the body. It does t have to be that Way. The jury is still out Over the Long term health risks of using personal computers at least regarding Low level electromagnetic radiation from the computer Monitor. For most users of computer terminals not much can be done about possible exposure to such radiation beyond limiting the time spent in front of a computer and avoiding sitting behind a Monitor the most Likely source of electromagnetic emissions. This appears to be especially prudent for women who Are pregnant. Last month however Suffolk county in new York enacted a Tough Law that addresses broader health concerns for most computer users. The Law which was bitterly opposed by business groups and supported by labor organizations is expected to be a Model for other legislation around the country. Like the radiation studies cited Here recently the Suffolk Law focuses on people who spend More than half the working Day at a computer. Even so casual pc users who use the machine Only a few hours a week ought to be aware of the issues. The Suffolk Law is based on a premise that poor working conditions Are common around computer terminals and that those working conditions contribute to health problems. Most companies installed computers without much consideration of the physical environment putting the terminals on desks or tables designed in the Long ago age of typewriters. Overhead lighting stayed the same chairs stayed the same working hours and Coffee Breaks stayed the same but the computer changed everything else. Studies have shown that computer operators tend to stare at a glowing screen without blinking for much longer periods than did their typewriting predecessors. Also computer screens reflect Glare from windows overhead lights and even the user s own Bright clothing. Many pc users also sit practically face to face with the Monitor. It is not surprising then to hear from computer users who complain of Eye Strain and deterioration of vision. I had perfect vision until a year or so after i started using a video display terminal at work for example although the cause of the vision degradation can never be proved. My vision has not worsened since i started taking precautions although i use the computer More than Ever. I also made my first visit to a chiropractor not Long after starting work on a computer. It was t until the chiropractor asked if i used a computer at work that i began to pay attention to How i was contorting myself to meet the machine s needs. To avoid Glare i was Cocking my head squinting and turning slightly in my chair. To reach the keyboard which was attached to the computer and thus not adjustable i had to lift my arms and rotate my wrists inward. And hours would pass without a Chance to stretch. Many modern pc users have the same problems and that was the impetus for the Suffolk county legislation which covers businesses with 20 or More computer terminals. The Law requires businesses to provide yearly Eye examinations for computer operators who work More than 26 hours a week at a vat. It requires employers to provide adjustable and detachable keyboards Glare screens such a shield covers the face of the computer screen polarized or parabolic lighting overhead and adjustable chairs and tables. They Are also required to offer in addition to regular Coffee Breaks a 15 minute alternative task every three hours that would let computer operators walk around and do non computer tasks. Finally employers must discuss with new employees potential health hazards related to computer work such As carpal Tunnel syndrome injuries from repetitive motion known As repetitive stress injuries Eye Strain and visual fatigue night blindness skin rashes pregnancy complications and Masculo skeletal problems. For the casual pc user the Suffolk Law is useful As a guideline. Here Are some Steps one can take to minimize health risks get an Eye examination. That s important for everyone but especially for those who use computers. A yearly checkup is a Good idea. Follow the 20-20 Rule keep your face at least 20 inches from the screen and pause every 20 minutes or so to look around the room allowing the eyes to focus on Distant objects. Regular Eye exercise helps prevent Eye Strain. Get a Glare screen. It should Block Glare without making the characters on the Monitor screen appear fuzzy. Glare is the hidden cause of a variety of physical ailments. Also if possible reorient the computer screen to avoid reflections from windows or artificial lights. Get a stable comfortable adjustable chair. Avoid those backless stools that put All the weight on your Knees unless you enjoy walking like a Chimpanzee. Few people have Access to adjustable tables the kind with a lowered front platform for the keyboard so adjusting the chair can compensate. I be converted the Center drawer of my old desk into a pull out keyboard rest which puts the keyboard a couple of inches below the desktop. It allows me to keep my arms at a More comfortable Angle when typing and it helps to enforce the 20-Inch Law above. Above All get away from the computer from time to time. This will help your mental As Well As physical health. Tuesday july 26, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 17