A common complaint of all workaholics having a sitting desk job is feet swelling while sitting and ankles. Sitting at a desk for prolonged periods in front of computer screens isn’t only detrimental for the eyes; rather, it impacts the lower body to a large extent as well. Not to mention the discomforts like tightness, tingling, numbness, and heaviness that it brings with it.
While a pair of compression socks 15-20mmHg, would aid your legs in beating gravity to push back blood to the heart, there are some measures and tips you can follow on how to prevent feet from swelling and ankles while doing a sitting job. Read on as we uncover some of those effective measures while knowing more about why your feet swell while sitting and the associated risks with it.
What Exactly Causes Feet Swelling While Sitting?
Office workers often mention, “I notice feet swelling when I sit at my desk for too long,” and gravity plays a major role in causing this. Due to gravity, natural blood flow gets interrupted, resulting in the legs working hard to push back blood to the heart.
Moreover, fluid starts accumulating, resulting in fluid build-up in the ankles and feet, leading to edema and discomforts like numbness, itching, pain, and difficulty walking. Additionally, studies reveal that even a one-minute sit-to-stand break can considerably decrease edema when extended periods of sitting are interrupted.
Pro-tip: While working, set a timer on your phone or computer that helps you to get up every 20–30 minutes. Even a quick stretch or walk to refill your water helps keep blood moving and prevent that heavy feeling in your legs.
Risks Associated With Swollen Feet
Although swollen feet from sitting at desk only cause minor discomforts like those mentioned above, they can take a serious turn if left untreated for a long while. Instances include blood pooling in the lower extremities that leads to serious threats like venous insufficiency, blood clots, increased risk of infection, and skin ulcers. In circumstances like these, a healthcare expert might recommend using a pair of 20-30 mmHg compression socks. Even studies confirm that wearing compression socks is highly effective in reducing occupational leg edema.
Ways To Prevent Feet Swelling While Working At A Sitting Job
First things first. Start with getting a medical check-up to ensure your foot swelling from sitting isn’t a result of any underlying health ailment but is caused due to prolonged sitting itself.
After getting favorable results, you can proceed with the following tips on how to prevent feet swelling while sitting at desk to ensure you stay safe from the ailment of swollen feet.
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