Dr Amir Khan says these common jobs could be 'making people ill'

Dr Amir Khan says these common jobs could be 'making people ill' Some people might not assume there are any 'dangers' when doing one of these jobs Most people may assume that only 'dangerous' jobs could lead to health issues. But, in reality, it is some of the most everyday jobs that come with hidden health risks, a TV doctor claims. Dr Amir Khan, known for his expert opinions on ITV daytime programmes such as Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, recently said he sees more people coming into his surgery for issues related to 'common' jobs. He sees more issues in the likes of office staff, taxi drivers and service workers. He said: "When people think about 'dangerous' jobs, they often think of things like coal mining, construction or working with asbestos. But as a GP, I see something else every single day, I see invisible everyday jobs making people ill." The practising doctor claims that these people are not "doing anything wrong". Quite simply, the way we work shapes our health - and it does not have to be traditionally 'dangerous' to have an impact. Listing his concerns, he said that people like teachers are often so busy during school that most "don't get enough time to drink water or even go to the toilet" during the day. He said: "[This] can contribute to headaches, dehydration, and it can even make recurrent urinary tract infections more likely in some people." Dr Khan also claims that professional drivers - like taxis, buses or delivery vans - are another common group of workers who face health risks like back pain, poor metabolic health and a higher risk of heart disease as they often spend "hours sitting still". On the opposite end of the spectrum, people like hairdressers spend "hours on your feet" and that can all contribute to neck, shoulder, back and even foot problems. Dr Khan went on to say: "Carers and nurses are lifting, bending, twisting and supporting people all day, increasing their risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Office workers, sitting for most of the day, staring at screens, working through your breaks and spending very little time outdoors can all affect your physical and mental health." Sometimes, it's not about the job itself and more to do with the working patterns. He said: "Think about those working in health care or any other shift work. Long shifts, rotating nights, emotional stress and missed meals. "We know shift work disrupts your body clock, affects sleep and over many years has been associated with a higher risk of conditions such as heart disease, type two diabetes and obesity." One job that is often thankless but takes a major toll on health, physically and mentally, is that of an unpaid carer. The medic said: "It's not always recognised as a job, but it is one of the hardest ones. Carers have high rates of stress, anxiety, depression and long-term health problems because they're often putting everyone else's needs before their own." What is the solution? Dr Khan accepts that people can't just quit their jobs as they have bills and expenses to pay for. He said: "You're absolutely right, this isn't about changing your job. It's about understanding what your job is asking of your body. "If you sit all day, find reasons to move. If you're on your feet all day, look after your muscles and joints. "If you work shifts, protect your sleep as much as you can. And whatever your job, don't underestimate the importance of eating, drinking and taking your breaks."