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Eight Hour Coding Session Causes DVT

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the go-stretch-now dept.

NickFitz writes "The BBC reports that a UK programmer collapsed with Deep Vein Thrombosis after an eight hour programming session. The potentially life-threatening condition is more commonly seen in air passengers on long haul flights, but this should serve as a warning to many Slashdot readers (including me) that screen breaks aren't just for resting the eyes."

4 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. I have had deep vein thrombosis by Simon+Brooke · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Not funny, but not a great hassle either. I have to get my blood tested every three or four weeks, and get my warfarin dose adjusted. It's a nuisance when I fall off my bike, because I tend to bleed a lot.

    I'm supposed to get up and move about fairly regularly during the day, and mostly I remember to do that. And I do need to take regular exercise (which is why I cycle a lot). But it's something you can live with. I don't like having to take warfarin, but it isn't the end of the world.

    --
    I'm old enough to remember when discussions on Slashdot were well informed.
    1. Re:I have had deep vein thrombosis by icepick72 · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Interestingly enough, warfarin was originally developed as a rat poison and is still used that way today. I remember warfarin bait being sold at the local feed and seed store. It makes rats bleed to death (thinning blood).

      It just seemed a factoid fitting for Slashdot. Of course the right dosage can help people which need it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warfarin

  2. Similar Situation by umbrellasd · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Do taichi in the NOC every hour or so. Takes up really little space. It's really low-key exercise, so people don't wig out and you don't have to work up a sweat. You can learn the shortform in a couple months and it takes about 5-7 minutes to go through it.

    After a few months, you won't need drugs and you won't have to worry about DVT. And you'll end up really good at it, :-). Anyway, I have a similar job and that was the most economical solution that I found.

  3. Re:what I do by alienmole · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Repetitive leg motion while sitting doesn't necessarily mean restless leg syndrome. It's much more likely to be an ADD/ADHD symptom - the motion is a way to calm yourself and keep yourself focused. (Try consciously stopping the motion and see what effect it has on your ability to focus on what you're working on.) There are also other conditions that can lead to such motion, which have to do with nervous tension as opposed to restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome is when people feel an uncomfortable sensation in their legs when sitting still, which goes away as a result of motion. Usually, just wiggling the legs isn't enough - it require real motion, like walking around. I think it's quite likely that restless leg syndrome is part of a mechanism to protect against diseases like DVT, but some people may be overly sensitive to it.