What health problems arise from sitting too long?

Can too much sitting be a danger? If you spend most of your day seated, these are the important health risks you need to know about.

The average adult parks themselves in the seated position for approximately eight hours a day. Research has shown sitting for extended periods is linked to many hazardous conditions. These include negative impact on our mental health and a higher risk of death from heart disease. Because muscles burn less fat and blood flow becomes more sluggish, chances of heart disease, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems also rise. Finally, it can mean increased chances of obesity. Prolonged sitting actually increases appetite, triggering you to eat more.

Sitting for long periods can have a negative impact on your mental health, state of mind, and waistline in the short-term. But there are more serious problems that can be caused by remaining immobile long-term.

Heart disease: Because muscles burn less fat and blood flow slows, fatty acids are more likely to clog the heart. Sitting for long periods of time has been linked to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.

Over-productive pancreas: The pancreas constantly produces insulin that carries glucose to the cells for energy. Remaining idle means the cells in the muscles are sluggish and don’t respond as easily to the insulin. The insulin is producing more and more, which can lead to diabetes.

Colon cancer: Insulin also increases cell growth so there is speculation this puts sitters at greater risk for colon, breast and endometrial cancers.

Softer muscles: Because exercise and movement helps keep muscles firm, they are able to support your body, helping you to sit straight. When you slump for eight hours a day, your unused muscles begin to stop supporting your posture. This can cause a chain reaction of problems. Your hip flexors are also affected as they shorten and tighten without movement, limiting your range of motion over time.

Poor circulation: When you spend most of your day sitting, the blood circulation in your legs slows considerably. Poor circulation causes fluid to pool in the legs and can create problems such as swollen ankles, varicose veins, dangerous blood clots or deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)

Weaker bones: Lack of adequate physical activity can also weaken the bones, making them more vulnerable to breakage.

Back problems: When you spend too much time seated, the discs in your back may become compressed. Collagen then hardens around the supporting tendons and ligaments. The longer you sit, the greater the risk for a herniated lumbar disc, which can be incredibly painful.

Lack of productivity: When your body is out of shape, so is your brain. Fresh blood and oxygen don’t flow to the brain as quickly, making it hard to concentrate or be productive.

Neck and shoulder pains: Most people experience some sort of discomfort when seated all day, especially around the neck and shoulders when using the telephone or slumping in front of the computer. This strain can even work its way down to the back. These pains can be chronic and extremely uncomfortable.

If you’re going to be spending a long day in a sedentary position, make sure to schedule in some physical activity breaks. If problems seem to persist, be sure to consult your doctor.