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Clinical Topics

Chronic Accumulated Diseases

Rural Practitioners

Rural Educators  

Last updated 1/17/03

1. Whole-body vibration.

   1. Farm machines commonly emit high amplitude and low frequency (less than 100 Hz) vibrations.
   2. Short-term exposure has been shown to be associated with balance and vision problems, chest pain, and tiredness.
   3. Long-term exposure has been shown to be associated with degenerative spinal changes, back pain, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, prostatitis, and kidney disease.

2. Long-term exposure to segmental vibration may cause Raynaud's phenomenon, muscle tightening, and paresthesias. With time, sensory and motor nerve damage may occur. In advanced cases, fingertip necrosis and bone decalcification and cysts may occur.