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Long Computer Sessions Could Cause Blood Clots
kac5 writes "The Australian reports that extended stints in front of the computer can cause blood clots to form such as those that occur from Deep Vein Thrombosis. Researchers have named it e-thrombosis (what is it with naming everything to do with computers e something?). So /.'s get up out of your chair, slowly so not to make your body go into shock, and walk to the other side of the room and back. Now do that every hour and you should be right according to this article!"
Let's just say this is true, it would have affected many other people in the past. There have been many jobs throughout history in which you do not move and sit at a desk... So how is a computer any different?
this shouldn't come as a surprise, if you think about it. I'm reminded of the high occurence of lower-extremity (particularly foot) swelling that occurs on airlines. This isn't due to a change in pressure, it's due to the fact that you're sitting in one place for a longass time. Stands to reason that if you stagnate for too long, bad things happen.
filter: +3. Hey, look! all the trolls went away!
Haven't we always been told to get up and away from the computer at regular intervals?
And why would sitting at a computer be any different to sitting in an aeroplane seat or sitting in ANY seat for that matter?
If you sit for too long you'll probably become a fat bastard and have a stroke.
How about if I hook myself up to one of those zap-me-and-get-me-in-shape things (you know the stomache excercizers and the muscle toners)
won't do jack for strength, but it sure will look nice, and should keep the blook flowing through the muscles.
btw - I hear that those things do bad to your skin, does anyone know the straightdope on that aspect?
and before anybody start, yes browsing porn will probably another method, but only good for (one of) your forearms.
My life in the land of the rising sun.
He wasn't pregnant or elderly, but it would be interesting to know how many other risk factors the guy had.
Was he a smoker? Was alcohol involved? Was he getting enough water to drink? Was he overweight? Did he have any history of heart or blood conditions?
Even for frequent economy-class fliers, this is a rare problem. Most people at least flex their toes and ankles while at the computer, don't they?
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It's absolutely absurd that they reference sitting in front of the computer as the cause.
First, it has absolutely nothing to do with computers, just with sitting.
Second, yes, people sit in front of computers more often now than they used to, but I think it's less a "sedentary lifestyle" and more a "productive lifestyle." People sit at desks a lot longer than they used to for other reasons, too. I've got Ibanking friends who are at work, at their desks, for at least 16 hours every day, except when they have occasional presentations. They're being productive, not sedentary.
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I drink a lot of water while I sit at my computer at work. It's good for you, and it means you have to get up and go to the bathroom a lot, which is a good thing.
The only possible explanation I can think of is that there's a lost of history-rewriting going on so we can get around the simple fact that people do a lot of stupid shit, knowing full well that it's stupid (and not caring). "Why did you smoke if you knew it was bad?" "Oh, I didn't know - the evil tobacco companies lied to me!" "Why did you sit in front of your computer for 16 hours a day?" "Nobody ever told me it was unhealthy!" Much better than the truth, which is often "I knew it was bad for me, I just didn't care."
Good point. People in general seem to expect to be told everything they need to know, rather than going through any effort to figure it out for themselves. "Oh, sitting on a plane for six hours is bad for me; but sitting in front of a computer for six hours is okay!" Or, as you pointed out, "I'm coughing up my lungs, but smoking must be okay, because no one's told me otherwise!"
This may be why we have lawsuits like the McDonalds "I'm suing because you made me fat" suit that a judge recently dismissed. When you hear someone say, "I didn't know because someone else told me," just think: that's Darwinism in action.
!#@%*)anks for hanging up the phone, dear.
Does anyone know if people who have to remain in wheelchairs are subject to DVT? It seems that would be the most extensive cramped sitting situation. They must have some way to counteract this effect, or be very aware of its symptoms?