Long Computer Sessions Could Cause Blood Clots 297
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!"
Nooooo! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Nooooo! (Score:5, Insightful)
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?
caffeine is the cure! (Score:5, Funny)
Leg shaking? (Score:3, Interesting)
On a serious note, I've got that annoying habit where I shake my legs when I'm sitting still... I wonder if that will actually protect me from DVT?
Re:Leg shaking? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Leg shaking? (Score:2, Informative)
Not always. I do it too, but I have CFS. I lost a lot fo the muscle I had on ly legs during a particularly bad virus a few years ago, and ever since have had this 'restless leg' thing. Especially when I'm concentrating I have to jiggle my legs, which is so frustrating, but I guess safer now! And forfty percent of the time I'm doing it is just cos of the music anyway.
Re:Nooooo! (Score:5, Funny)
Absolutely. How else could I handle that third keyboard and mouse?
Re:Nooooo! (Score:5, Funny)
Obviously not.. because if he was a smoker he'd be getting up and going outside to smoke every hour or so.
Re:Nooooo! (Score:2)
Re:Nooooo! (Score:2, Funny)
You should go buy some lottery tickets or expired milk or something! This doesn't happen every day!
Oh my god... (Score:2)
I wonder if you could die of that... "Programmer dies from writing program to organize porn files and upload them onto his server, all while accessing slashdot, trying to post as much as possible to get good karma so he could moderate up his friend's comments. Parents and ex-girlfriend have nothing to say, aside from, 'Oh, he's not dead. Send him an e-mail and he'll get back to you within a few seconds.'"
Already been done (Score:2)
Computer Alternative to exercise (Score:2, Interesting)
Bottom line, you don't have to give up any PC time, just buy one of these units. Contact your local hospital, or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for ordering information.
Below is the first search result I found using Sequential Compression Device for further reading about the topic.
http://www.msdistributors.com/biomed/meh/SCD.HT
Sequential Compression Devices, or SCD's, (also known as Lymphodema pumps) are designed to limit the development of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Peripheral Edema in immobile patients. When a patient is immobile for long periods of time, as in recuperation from an injury, blood tends to pool in the calf area of the lower leg. To combat this tendency, clinicians use the Sequential Compression Device. This consists of an air pump connected to a disposable sleeve by a series of air tubes. The sleeve is placed around the patient's leg. Air is then forced into different parts of the sleeve in sequence, creating pressure around the calves and improving venous return. Hospital units can utilize up to 10 sequential chambers; most home units have three. Available units include the Kendall 5325 and 6325 and the Jobst 7500.
A similar therapy which combats the same conditions is the Foot Pump. These devices artifically stimulate the venous plantar plexus (large vein located in the foot) to increase blood circulation in bed-ridden patients by simulating the motion of blood produced during walking. Devices using this form of sequential compression include the Kendall AV Impulse pumps and the NuTech Plexipulse.
Damn (Score:5, Funny)
Karma burning
If that's the case.. (Score:5, Funny)
coming in February (Score:5, Funny)
Also look for gThromb, kThromb, gtkThromb, gnuThromb, and ThrombCurses for Linux and UNIX.
JThromb (Score:2)
Re:If that's the case.. (Score:2, Funny)
attaaaaaa...
He must have died while typing it.
But he hit submit.
Perhaps he was dictating...
Re:If that's the case.. (Score:2)
Manditory Python Reference (Score:3, Funny)
Great! (Score:5, Funny)
makes sense.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:makes sense.... (Score:4, Interesting)
And you know what else? If you're worried about it... get a dog. Nothing like a minimum of 3 trips outside to walk the dog to get you off your ass and moving around a bit (at least for those who live in the city).
Stop fidigeting. (Score:2)
1, it burns of calories, around 300 per day.
2, I don't get DVT...
So, I suppose school causes more DVT than work, since at my school the seats were hard plastic, non-reclining.
At work I generally lay back and spread my weight.
First Stroke! (Score:5, Funny)
Actually, I might have a stroke after I see how bad I get modded down for this comment....
Re:First Stroke! (Score:2)
why is this news? (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re:why is this news? (Score:2, Interesting)
it wasn't the worm! (Score:3, Funny)
Are there other ways to prevent this? (Score:4, Insightful)
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.
Re:Are there other ways to prevent this? (Score:2)
Browsing for porn requires two hands, one on your mouse and the other on the computer's pointing device.
I would type something relevant... (Score:5, Funny)
Pretty Obvious (Score:5, Funny)
I hope these researchers didn't have a big grant.
Jason
ProfQuotes [profquotes.com]
Hmmm... possible problem... (Score:2, Funny)
Get one of the food patches [freelists.org] discussed on here a while ago, and hack it to include some of these. [chrcrm.org]
Instant success. Really. Really you won't die. Oh yeah IAMAD (doctor) or anything. Really, my knowledge of the human body is limited to the parts that give me pain. So try at your own risk :)
Re:Hmmm... possible problem... (Score:2)
Wouldnt that make you a sado-masochist?
Masochist: HURT ME! Please!
Sadist: Hmmm. NO.
In defense of Everquest (Score:5, Funny)
It's sad that people need medical proof before they would even consider getting up a few times a day instead of sitting at a computer for 18+ hours straight. Back in the day, we called that common sense.
not new suggestion (Score:2)
Re:not new suggestion (Score:4, Funny)
Re:In defense of Everquest (Score:5, Insightful)
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."
In Defense Of Thinking (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re:In Defense Of Thinking (Score:2)
Assuming someone isn't smoking, drinking, or filling their veins with any form of controlled substance. at what point would they determine that sitting in front of a computer for extended periods will produce blood clots? After they've keeled over from a stroke? People can't act on what they don't know.
I don't think being told is an issue so much as ignoring the information or failing to act on it once you're aware of it. This, I believe, is exactly what happened with McDonald's case. It's also what happens when you tell kids over and over, "don't smoke, it will kill you." Unfortunately, the consequences are so remotely far away, they ignore it until they wake up one day 40 years later with a multitude of smoking-related health issues. By then, of course, it's too late.
Re:In Defense Of Thinking (Score:2)
At what point would they determine that sitting in front of a computer for extended periods will produce blood clots? After they've keeled over from a stroke?
This is where the thinking part comes in - and maybe a little analysis, too. If you've heard on the news that people are having medical conditions with blood clots in their legs and such due to sitting in one spot on an airplane, ask yourself: What part of sitting on the airplane may have caused those blood clots? Either it's being on the airplane in the first place, or it's sitting in the same location for too long. In the latter case, if it can happen on an airplane, then it can happen anywhere.
Hard numbers (Score:4, Interesting)
OK, all of us here are going to die from blood clots while our arms are aching from carpal tunnel syndrome...
What I'd really like to see is some general data on roughly how many hours (per day or per week) people are spending in front of a computer to get symptoms like these, and after how many years.
Is it because it's 'too random to judge accurately' or something like that? Or have they (meaning 'people smarter than myself') just not narrowed it down yet?
Driving and other things (Score:3, Interesting)
The article says that the man would sit at his desk for up to 18 hours a day. Perhaps we can try to convince employers to allow chair racing in the hallways.
Some more tips to avoid getting a stroke (Score:2)
IANAD, but stuff like this have kept me clot/trombose free for over 10 years now. Oh yeah, I do get up from my chair every now and then to get coffee, and stuff like walking/feeding the doggies or feeding/entertaining the cat.
Re:Some more tips to avoid getting a stroke (Score:2)
You mock, but moving around behind your desk does help. And a second box on your desk does give incentive to move from one to the other. And besides, having a second CPU on your desk does help when reading online docs on one, while you are messing in the boot loader of another box on your desk. If I were your boss, I'd probably give you your second box on your desk if you asked for it.
I had a blood clot from sitting at a computer... (Score:5, Informative)
During that week, my right leg just hanged down off the edge of the chair all the time. Eventially I noticed it started to swell by my caff, and it hurt real bad. After a few days it was the size of one of them long watermellons, and deep purple colored. I went to the doctors, and sure enough it was a fairly large blood clot logged under my knee (where my leg was bent on the chair all day). The impaction from sitting at the chair all day caused the blood circulation to slow, resulting in a clot forming. It's a lot like a snowball effect, a little clot forms, and more and more platelets attach to it.
Once the doctor did an ultrasound on my leg and confirmed it was a blood clot, I was in the hospital for about 5 days with an IV drip of blood thinners. They came in about every 3 hours to take blood from me to make sure my platelet level was fine (don't want to thin the blood too much.) After the 5 days I went home to bed rest for about 6 weeks. During that 6 weeks I had to transition myself off the IV blood thinners to a pill called Coumadin. The only way to transition were shots of the stuff in the IV about twice a day in my stomach. Not very fun. I had a nurse come by the house once a day to take blood to check to make sure the levels were good.
During that time, the doctors kept telling me that if I felt in pain in my head, chest, or trouble breathing to call 911 immediately. Blood clots are very serious. If it breaks away and moves through the blood stream, it can clog somewhere in my body causing a heart attack, stroke, or pulminary embalism. It was funny, because the first night I was home, the nurse told me all about that, and kept saying, "And if you don't call 911 immediately you could die!!!" in this real strict voice. Then she took my blood pressure. "Your blood pressure it too high!!!" My father pointed out she had just scared the hell out of me hehe.
Anyhow, after the 6 weeks, I pretty much had to learn to walk again since my muscles were very weak. I had to wear funny stockings on my leg to make sure it keep my circulation good, and had to continue taking coumadin for about a year and a half. I had to wear a special medical alert bracelet because if I were in a car accident, it would alert EMTs that I'm on Coumadin, meaning any bleeding injuries wouldn't clot themselves anymore because of my thin blood.
It takes a very long time for the body to absorb a blood clot, so during that year and a half I had to make sure I paid attention to any chest pains, and not passed them off as heart burn. Also, during that year and a half, I had to go into the doctors office twice a week and have blood drawn to check my platelet levels. Not very fun, I looked like a drug addict from all the needle marks.
So, safe to say, I pay attention to how long I'm sitting, and how my legs are. I occastionally stand up and take 10 minute walks when I'm at work. I try and tap my food, or move my leg when sitting to keep blood flowing down there. My doctor also told me to pick up some horse chesnut extract. Apparently its been shown to help increase blood circulation. Due to the severe swelling in my leg, its now bigger than the other one pretty much perminately. The veins are also noticably bigger when I exercise. Also, the type of chair you sit in plays a big role. I make sure the chair I'm sitting in has plenty of padding and comfortable around the under paid of my knees, and that my legs don't hang off the edge, rather I'm low enough my feet touch the ground and support my leg.
The only good thing I say I got out of this I had plenty of time when I was in bed to learn C.
Re:I had a blood clot from sitting at a computer.. (Score:5, Informative)
Information (Score:5, Informative)
Coumadin attacks the vitamin-K-dependent clotting factors (factors 2, 7, 9, and 10) where they are manufactured in the liver. This is why coumadin takes a bit of time to take effect. Heparin is much more immediate, but requires close monitoring of the Partial Thromboplastin Time to ensure adequate anticoagulation. However, there is a different preparation of heparin, called "Low-molecular-weight heparin" that is preferred, since you don't have to monitor it, and as a result it's often used in the outpatient setting to treat DVTs.
The factors that contribute to DVT formation are stasis, injury (I've seen a DVT from being hit in the leg with a baseball), and hypercoagulable state (blood is too thick, or platelets are too sticky). The more factors you have, the greater your risk... but sometimes it's not simply additive. For instance, young women that smoke AND take birth control pills (both make you hypercoagulable) are at greatly increased risk for clots... those two particular risk factors seem to have a synergistic effect.
Most geeks should not get these... Pulmonary Emboli are rare in healthy people. However, if you get a big one (a so-called "saddle embolus") it can turn you out like a light. In the case of large emboli, "clot buster" thrombolytic drugs ARE used, but usually only on a truly unstable, dying-in-front-of-your-eyes patient. Clot buster drugs are NOT benign, and can cause strokes, and uncontrollable bleeding. You'd hate to fix a guy's emobolus, only to have him die from an intracranial bleed. There's a reason those drugs are given very cautiously.
Certain genetic susceptibilities also exist that can make you prone to DVT/PE. Protein C, Protein S, Antithrombin III, Factor V, just to name a few (I'm not a hematologist). If someone in your family gets an unexplained DVT, your doctor will probably be checking all of these and more. If a first-degree family member has one of these that is abnormal, you might consider getting your own blood checked.
one more thing... I have to take issue with the name "E-thrombosis"... sheesh. Why couldn't he just call it a Pulmonary Embolus? Then any doctor would know immediately what he was talking about... God save us from neeto buzzwords.
Yeah ok, (Score:4, Interesting)
Here's what you do: you have to stop every four hours of sitting and do some stretches, and take a 10-15 minute walk OUTSIDE.
I used to be a PCB designer, which involves moving the mouse and clicking A LOT, with very little keyboard interaction. Instant tendonitis. The solution was to get those hand grip spring thingies, every 15 minutes I'd stop and do 15 grips per hand.
What happens is that mousing is an incomplete movement, the tendons and muscles stay in a low state of tension, which is unnatural and prevents circulation.
Stretching helps promote circulation.
I recommend the same for all computer jockeys. Some stretches, some walking. Hey I'd recommend a gym and some weights, but this IS slashdot...
If e-thrombosis is a separate condition... (Score:5, Funny)
And how would you locate the clots in the first place? By ultrasound, of course. Gotta ping 'em!
Uncomfortable Chair (Score:2, Interesting)
Nowadays if this happened I'd have a solid case against Herman Miller (a joke, they are the best)
That is why... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:That is why... (Score:2)
Phillip.
May I suggest tea addiction as a fix for this (Score:2)
That means I have to get up 4 times an hour. 3 times
for refills, and once to P. That and I'm so hyped on
caffiene I'm constantly tapping my feet while
talking to myself and the other deathmatch players
in (place any first person shooter that works
on linux here) while in absolute heaven on my caffiene
high. Lately it's been the navy seals covert
operations mod for quake3. Damn slick.
Speaking from first-hand experience (Score:5, Interesting)
I needed a liver biopsy (not fun) and six months on blood-thinners and twice-weekly blood tests.
At the time the doctor couldn't explain a cause, as I was way younger than people who usually get this, but now it makes perfect sense, as I'd been doing a lot of dawn-to-midnight programming in a very comfy new chair...
Water. Exercise. Got it.
most interesting... you had a PVT? (Score:3, Informative)
If your clot was in the portal venous system, a sedentary lifestyle should have had absolutely nothing to do with that particular thrombosis.
So they never came up with anything? Most people that get PVTs have cirrhosis (probably why they did the liver biopsy), some kind of intraabdominal infection... something.
Check out this article [emedicine.com]
What you had is extremely rare in normal people...I'm not presuming to tell you what to do; your doctor knows you better than I do. Still, you might consider following up on it sometime, just to make sure everything is kosher.
nice name (Score:5, Funny)
Doesn't apply to us (Score:5, Funny)
I mean, the three-some sex alone with our model girlfriends is a workout in itself, but I guess lesser people wouldn't be able to keep up.
I use a Mac... (Score:4, Funny)
Which is safer? (Score:3, Funny)
a) Sitting in front of the computer for 20-odd hours a day, risking Deep Vein Thrombosis, or
b) Going outside for a walk and risking being mugged, shot, stabbed, hit by a car, kidnapped, or abducted by aliens. And let's not forget the unpleasant effects that prolonged exposure to solar radiation can have on your skin.
Absurd (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
You have got to be kidding (Score:3, Informative)
The word sedentary is derived from the Latin sedentarius -- the present participle of the verb "to sit." There is this thing called a dictionary, use it. Yes, they are available online, but guess what, they also comes as books. You remember books don't you? I shudder to think what your life was like before computers.
I won't even touch the "more productive" assertion, because on
The long and short of your tirade is this: you can sit and be productive. The two processes are not mutually exclusive. Duh.
BTW, my brother lives in Wellesley just down the street from Babson. He needs someone to shovel his walk and mow the grass. You can supplement your "non-sedentarian," yet somehow still "sitting" lifestyle if you wish.
Drink lots of Water! (Score:2, Insightful)
Scientists recommend... (Score:2)
Question (Score:3, Funny)
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
How about if I use 2 computers ? Will it cause blood clots ?
How about 3 computers ?
How about 4 ?
.
.
.
How about 100000 ?[typing with one hand on chest]
How about 100001 ?
How about 100002 ?
.
.
.
How about 100945 ?
How abo
I Developed DVT (Score:5, Interesting)
The doctors asked if I had been on an airplane recently as this is often seen in people who sit in cramped positions for long periods of time. I had not. But I was working as a low-level NOC monkey. Combine that with my computer activities post-work and you have pretty much the same thing minus the cramped aspect. But the doctors seemed to discard that theory.
Just to sew the story up, I took self-administered shots of Fragmin for about 2 weeks and then coumadin/warfarin (blood thinners) for about 8 months. The Fragmin is necessary because the warfarin will cause blood thickening when starting off so the Fragmin counters this. I should mention that Fragmin is incredibly expensive ($50/ea shot, 2x a day IIRC) so not having health insurance would have really sucked.
But the only thing I can think of that would have caused it is long hours at the computer. Of course it might have had a genetic origin but I've never heard of anyone in my family having it.
Re:I Developed DVT (Score:2)
Turned out she had a clot basically from her pelvis to the knee in her left leg. I guess the anatomical cause was one vein pressing down on another in the pelvic area, apparently it's not too uncommon in women. She's also been taking birth control pills for years, which contribute to coagulation, but the big news was she has these lupus antibodies (sorry I'm not being more specific in my language). She doesn't actually have Lupus but these antibodies mean her blood has too much of a tendency to clot. Her mom once had a clot in her leg 15-20 years ago but she was never diagnosed as having these antibodies (she definitely had other factors, including smoking).
The normal way for dealing with such clots is to be on blood thinners from an IV for a many days, probably weeks in her case. In the meantime, the clot would be damaging the "valves" in her vein and the result would be she would have a "bum" leg for the rest of her life. Because she's younger and otherwise pretty healthy, the doctors recommended and we went with the clot-busting medication to quickly dissolve the clot. We called it the "Draino." There's a risk that a piece can break away and travel to cause a stroke or pumonary embolism (x-ray showed she already had had a small one) so she was kept in the Intensive Care Unit for close observation for about 36 hours (though the last 8 was really just waiting for a bed downstairs). Then they went in the vein from behind the knee to put a stent (a tiny chinese finger puzzle thing) in the vein to hold it open where it was compressed and also to "roto-rooter" the vein along the way.
She also had to get similarly expensive injections in her stomach 2x a day (I had to do it) and blood draws every few days for a month until her Warfarin doses were where they should be (they call it her "INR"). I think it took a month in part due to poor communication at times with the doctor about how to adjust the Warfarin dose. Because of the lupus antibodies, she has to be on Warfarin for the rest of her life and get her INR checked every few weeks. She also had to stop the birth control pills. Boo!
It was definitely a good thing she had health insurance. The hospital bill for 5 days including the time in the emergency room and 1 1/2 days in the ICU was over $24,000. I think we paid $6 for the phone service in her room.
No it does not cause thickening. (Score:2)
blood clot (Score:2, Informative)
Sure it does... (Score:2)
You can read this and other health facts... (Score:4, Funny)
It's true. I should know. (Score:5, Informative)
I program long hours. I'm generaly considered to be fit and healthy. I've gained a few pounds since I got married a few years ago, but I'm certainly not overweight.
I started a company last year that relies heavily on my development efforts. I knew better, but I still spent 15-20 hours, 7 days, every week for three months. That gradually dropped to 12 hours a day, but no less.
In October 2002, I went to the ER for some pain in my calf. They did an ultrasound on my leg and then decided that they would hospitalize me for three days to see how I would respond to high amounts of Coumadin they then gave me. The injections made my stomach look like someone beat me repeatedly with a crowbar. Pricks. According to my doctor, if I'd left it any longer, I risked death, plain and simple.
The Coumadin I take now is in pill form, and the doctor says I will be on it for another six months or so. I get blood tests weekly (and I am so sick of being poked and prodded) but my INR is steady, though I think kept balanced only by the meds.
These days I walk more. I code just as much, but until my company can afford to hire someone to replace me, there's no way around that... But I've managed to train myself to at least stand up and stretch every 20-30 minutes, and I move about every hour or so.
It sucks. Period. I recommend just avoiding it in the first place.
Hahahah (Score:2)
C'mon now... is that any way to speak of the people who were literally saving your life?
But you know... that's the most honest feedback I think I've ever heard from someone getting heparin injections!
Thanks... you brought a smile to my face.
What about sleep? (Score:2, Interesting)
Is it the act of sitting or the posture we use while sitting at a computer that apparently makes this a health risk? Since this article doesn't seem to address these issues I'm gonna have to say these clots were likely caused by a bad chair and poor posture, in addition to repeated prolonged immobility.
Once again I'd like to point out that I don't think sitting in one place for more that an hour at a time is good for you regardless of what you're sitting on. But that I don't think these down under researchers are seeing the whole picture.
Re:What about sleep? (Score:2)
When you're asleep you move around more than when you're sitting at a terminal/PC/whatever. Also your weight is spread along your full height, not concentrated on your butt and the back of your thighs/knees, which probably helps reduce the chance of DVT.
Stephen
Re:What about sleep? (Score:2)
Your brain is by no means conked out completely while you get your beauty rest. It does all kinds of nutty shit. You probably don't remember it, but while you're unconscious your body actually has a built-in mechanism to regulate your circulation. That's actually WHY you don't die in your sleep.
My mom had a stroke some years ago, and was in a coma for two days. During that time the hospital staff moved her limbs around a bit every few hours or so, because her body couldn't regulate that motion at the time.
Makes sense.
Re:What about sleep? (Score:2)
If this is the case.... (Score:3, Interesting)
Sometimes I pray for a heart attack. Or a pen in the eye.
ah fuck that... (Score:2)
so fucking what...anything less short of imminent death is a fucking release from boredom...
i say bring it on, you fucking biological bioorganisms....fucking white/red blood cells anyways...what the fuck are they any good for...
RB
NETSURFER (Score:2, Interesting)
i can't imagine sitting for too long in this thing
Anybody else notice this? (Score:2)
Fatally potential? Potentially fatal, sure, but just because it's potential doesn't mean it's fatal.
Exercise? (Score:2)
If you actually try and spend an hour and the gym a day you will find your productivity improving as well.
I don't know what it is, but it is *so* easy to get caught in the trap of lethargic sessions in front of the computer. Often the web browser is the biggest cause of problems. It is just too easy to go around browsing the same sites over and over again. P2P and chat is a close second. Really, just a little activity breaks the spell and will HELP. A few hand stretches helps avoid stress injuries as well.
Is this really news? (Score:4, Informative)
Our tiny 20 desk operation took half a day to assess - I'd hate to have to do it in a call centre!
Clotting factors, not mentioned, but... (Score:2, Informative)
I'll wait (Score:5, Funny)
Knowledge of the Ancients (Score:3, Funny)
Euripides: Well of course they are you idiot. Get up and move around once in a while why don't you? Sheesh, slaves these days are such incredable doofuses they don't even know how to take care of themselves.
Diores: Oh bless you master! I never thought of that, who would have even thought that moving around for a bit now and then would be advisable?
Euripides: Well, I guess that's why I'm the genius and you're the slave, eh? It's no wonder we conquered your pansy assed people.
So this scene need not be repeated in *another* few thousand years let me spell it out for you people. It's common knowledge that if your work keeps you sitting for long hours you should get up and move around for at least a few minutes every hour. If it keeps you on your feet for long hours you should sit down and take a rest for at least a few minutes every hour.
Geez, ain't modern science grand?
KFG
pyddr or Stepmania ? (Score:2)
But you shouldn't do that when you already sat down for 10 hours, then you would maybe even trigger the DVT with that.
Wait a minute... (Score:3, Interesting)
Why does everything with computers have to be e-so (Score:2, Funny)
The e-doctors were feeling very e-unimportant despite the e-ducation. So they start e-research in their e-labs and realized there's a lot of undocument e-illness that needed to be defined and brought the e-public's attention.
E
This happened to me!! (Score:3, Interesting)
On a Friday after a particularly long night at work - about 14 hours of sitting in front of my 'puter trying to finish a project this past September.
I was trying to finish a project for work the Friday before Labor day in September. Saturday morning I woke up with a pain in my chest. After 4 days in one of the local hospitals, they told me it was an ulcer and discharged me. 2 hours later, I was in another hospital where they diagnosed me with a pulmonary embolism - which the pulmonologist later told me was probably caused by sitting too long. My adventures with the first hospital are for another story.
I gotta tell ya - if you ever get a PE, you'll know it. The pain is excruciating. Obviously I recovered with no complications. Now, however, I make it a point to get up, walk around, and do some thinking during the day instead of the ol' marathon caffeine / code sessions.
It's weird to think that if that clot broke loose one more time I could have cashed-out.
...and don't cross your legs. (Score:2)
nervous leg (Score:2)
Wheelchairs (Score:3, Insightful)
Bass ackwards (Score:2)
Fatally potential? I think they've got their adjectives and adverbs up mixed.
Drink lots of water... (Score:3, Funny)
Amazing how mother nature can help enforce OSHA guidelines (which recommend getting up from your desk and walking around for about 1 minute every hour or so).
Cigarettes prevent e-thrombosis (Score:2)
In other news (Score:2)
Re:Why Avoid Alcohol??? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Someone please tell me... (Score:2)
You, my friend, are either very close to stroke (due to too much time spent on a PC) or a good candidate to ask for help at the nearest institution that deals with alchohol addicts.
That tingling sensation could be a tremor, first sign of a physical dependency on alchohol. That doesn't mean you drink shitloads of booze - you may just be less tollerant.
This is just a friendly advice. Few years ago I got to deal with all that crap, while trying to get my bro out of the alchohol induced hell. Those three months were not quite fun, trust me.