Do you remember your mom saying “If your friends all jumped off a bridge, would you follow them?” It was her gentle way of pointing out that you shouldn’t consider caving into the pressure of your peers. Similarly, the staff at our varicose vein center in Orlando suggests you give ample thought to deciding if you will join the ranks of the trending office culture that suggests the use of standing desks is healthier for you than sitting at a traditional desk with an office chair.
In an effort to help employees stay fit and healthy, many employers are providing their workforce the option of working at a standing desk. The prevailing school of thought is that sitting for long periods of time directly correlates to an increase in obesity, increased blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist, and other complications that arise from a sedentary lifestyle. How this translates into vein disease and the development of varicose veins has been well documented:
- Injury – Sustaining an injury that causes deep bruising will no doubt result in injury to your veins. Valves inside the vein walls control blood flow and stops blood from leaking backward when they function properly. An injury can upset the delicate balance of blood flow regulation.
- Lifestyle – This includes not only your occupation but how much and what kind of exercise you get. There is a delicate balance to be struck in not spending too much time on your feet or exercising to the extreme. Sedentary individuals tend to have more problems with varicose veins. However, people who exercise too hard or those who stand on their feet for long periods of time also run the risk of developing them.
Striking the perfect balance between times spent standing or sitting is extremely important in reducing the controllable risks of developing varicose veins. If you decide to opt into the standing desk scenario, be sure to take regular breaks and make certain that your workstation is ergonomically designed to avoid damage to your spine, hips, and knees. Florida Vein Care, a varicose vein center in Orlando, suggests that if you begin to notice any of the symptoms associated with varicose veins, such as swelling, discoloration, itching, aching, or a tired feeling in the legs, don’t delay in contacting Dr. Bragg and his staff for your consultation at 407-805-8989, or contact us online.
