Be Careful! Sitting too long can be fatal

Harianjogja.com, JAKARTA – | Sitting for a long time in front of an office desk is a daily activity for office workers. However, did you know sitting too long can be bad for your health?

Besides being able to make your muscles and joints weak and stiff, sitting too long can cause fatal problems.

Quotes Halodoc, Monday (19/7/2021) the study published in 2018 in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that from their 21-year observation, the number of people who died mostly had the habit of sitting for too long, with a fairly diverse cause of death.

Launching WebMD, Monday (7/19/2021), here are 12 reasons why sitting too long can have a bad impact on your health.

1. At risk of heart disease

Scientists first realized something was going on in a study comparing two similar groups: public transit drivers, who sat most of the day, and conductors, or guards, who didn’t. Although their diets and lifestyles were very similar, those who sat were twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who stood.

2. Can shorten your life

You are more likely to die early from any cause if you sit for long periods of time. It doesn’t matter if you exercise every day or not. Of course, that’s no excuse to skip the gym.

3. More likely to have dementia

If you sit too much, your brain can look like someone with dementia. Sitting also increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, all of which play a role in the condition. Moving throughout the day can help more than just exercise to lower the risk of all of these health problems.

4. Exercise can’t counter the effects of too much sitting

The effects of too much sitting are hard to counter with exercise. Even if you exercise 7 hours a week, far more than the recommended 2-3 hours, you cannot reverse the effects of sitting 7 hours at a time. Don’t throw away all the hard work at the gym by hitting the couch all day. Keep moving.

5. Diabetes chances increase

Most likely you will too, if you sit all day. And it’s not just because you burn fewer calories. It’s not clear why, but doctors think sitting can change how your body reacts to insulin, a hormone that helps burn sugar and carbohydrates for energy.

6. You can get DVT

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot that forms in your leg, often when you sit still for too long. This can be serious if the clot dislodges and gets stuck in your lung. You may notice swelling and pain, but some people have no symptoms. That’s why it’s a good idea to stop long sitting sessions.

7. Can add to your weight

Watch a lot of TV? Surf the web for hours? You are more likely to be overweight or obese. If you exercise every day, that’s fine, but it won’t reduce the extra weight you gain from too much screen time.

8. Your anxiety may soar

It could be that you are often alone and engaged in screen-based activities. If this interferes with your sleep, you may become more anxious. Plus, too much alone time can lead to withdrawal from friends and loved ones, which is linked to social anxiety. Scientists are still trying to figure out the exact cause.

9. Can damage your back

The sitting position puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, and spine muscles. It’s even worse if you bend over. Look for an ergonomic chair — meaning it’s the right height and supports your back in the right place. But keep in mind, no matter how comfortable you are, your back won’t like long sitting sessions. Get up and move for a minute or two every half hour to keep your spine in line.

10. Can cause varicose veins

Sitting for too long can cause blood to build up in your legs. This puts additional pressure on your blood vessels. They can swell, twist, or bulge, which doctors call varicose veins. You may also see spider veins, collections of damaged blood vessels nearby. They are usually not serious, but they can cause pain and discomfort. Your doctor can advise you on treatment options if you need one.

11. Older people may have osteoporosis

Older, inactive adults may be more likely to get osteoporosis (weak bones) and it slowly makes you unable to perform basic tasks of daily life, such as bathing or using the toilet. While light exercise won’t prevent it, you don’t have to go out and run marathons or farm to keep moving in your golden years. Just don’t lay yourself on the couch for hours on end.

12. Your cancer risk increases

The more you sit, the higher your chances of developing colon, endometrial, or lung cancer. Older women have a higher chance of developing breast cancer. It doesn’t change if you’re super active, so make sure not to sit too long.

Source: business.com

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