Other Medical tests & Body-Building in the Merchant Navy
As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. Regular medical check ups can help in detecting any form of deficiencies in the body that can be treated in its initial phase. Another advantage of starting an early treatment is the quick recovery period which can save your career prospects in the long run. As we know, seafarers should be in good physical and mental health before joining the ship and to assess this, an extended medical examination takes place in the Merchant Navy. Let us see some eligibility standards set by DG-shipping for the below mentioned illness –
Varicose Veins –
Veins function as a carrier of blood back to the heart. Varicose veins majorly affecting the lower limbs of the body is a painful medical condition where veins are twisted and enlarged. In this case, if you are standing, your blood that is supposed to travel to the heart will start moving downwards in the body. It will accumulate there due to which your veins in the legs will start appearing swollen and bluish in color.
In the Merchant Navy, a candidate with Varicose Veins is not eligible. Some treatments are available like surgery and medication but there are few drawbacks associated with it like –
- i. Long treatment period
- ii. Success rate of surgery is very low
Irritable bowel syndrome –
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines. The symptoms generally include irregular bowels, abdominal pain or cramping. This medical condition is not pathological in nature but it often arises due to psychological malfunction. An overthinking or stressed brain affects the intestine movements through the nerves that regulate peristalsis.
In the Merchant Navy, a person with Irritable Bowel Syndrome can join. This condition is not severe in nature but if you are experiencing some symptoms that might pose a health risk on ship, it is better you get it treated before joining. You can start with a change in lifestyle and good food habits.
Vertigo –
This is a sensation that you or the environment around you is moving or spinning. If this condition arises due to phobia such as fear of height or fear of closed spaces that can hamper your routine activities on ship then the candidate will be disqualified in the medical examination of the Merchant Navy.
Laparoscopy/ Keyhole Surgery –
Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin. In the Merchant Navy, Laparoscopy is allowed depending on for which organ this surgery is performed. For example, a laparoscopy on gallbladder is allowed but if the surgery is done on major body parts like intestines then the candidate will not be eligible to join the ship.
Cervical spondylosis –
This is a painful medical condition where the curvature of the spine gets disturbed because of which the nerves get pressurized. Spondylosis comes with symptoms such as bodily imbalance which is caused by pressurized brain stem in the cervical region.
In the medicals of the merchant navy, if a candidate is suffering from cervical spondylosis then he will not qualify to become a seafarer. This is because the bodily imbalance and pain that can arise from this condition can prove to be detrimental for the health of the candidate on ship. It is advised that in such a situation the person should visit a neurologist or neurosurgeon who will assess the extent of his/her medical condition.
Body-Building –
If you are a passionate body-builder who wants to join the Merchant Navy but does not know if you will qualify in the medicals or not then let us help you out. Merchant Navy do not restrict body-builders from any role on the ship as long as they are medically and physically eligible. It is important that you pay heed to what content you are consuming in your protein shake as any toxifying ingredient can damage your liver quickly making you unfit for the Merchant Navy. Lastly, it is not a problem to take supplement as long as you are taking care of your health.
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