What causes swollen calves after sitting for a long time?

Sitting for long periods of time can easily lead to calf swelling, especially when the calves are held down, which often causes poor blood circulation. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, Qi and blood need to be transported to various parts to achieve the effect of conditioning. If Qi and blood are not flowing smoothly, it often leads to the occurrence of some symptoms, especially if calf swelling often occurs. At this time, you should be alert to thrombosis, phlebitis and other diseases.

What causes swollen calves after sitting for a long time?

1. Obstruction of Qi and blood circulation

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Qi and blood are the basis for transporting "nutrients" to various parts of the human body. Only when Qi and blood flow smoothly can the various internal organs "move" due to sufficient Qi and blood.

However, when the human body is in a sedentary state for a long time, the leg movement is almost zero, and the blood circulation of the whole body will be hindered. This is most strongly reflected in the calves that "control" the blood flow back to the heart. Calf swelling is the most common symptom.

2. Premonition of thrombotic disease

Everyone has muscles on their calves, which not only enhance the sense of strength in the legs, but also promote the circulation of qi and blood in the veins, so that they can be better transported to the heart. It can be said to be a "compass" that maintains the body's life signals.

However, when you sit for a long time, the muscle tissue in your calf is like a "still lake". The circulation and return of qi and blood are inhibited, and the blood in the veins will produce abnormal coagulation, so your calf will naturally become swollen and uncomfortable.

In addition to causing calf swelling, the blood return rate is slowed down and the effect of gravity will cause blood stasis in the legs. If this continues for a long time, it can easily cause local thrombosis, so do not ignore it.

3. Too much salt in the diet

There is a certain standard for salt intake, and some people like to eat salty foods. If they eat them often, the salt concentration in the body will inevitably soar.

The main component of salt is sodium. In order to neutralize the sodium, the body will produce some water. In addition, if you sit for a long time, your calves will become swollen.

It is recommended that people who sit for a long time should develop these habits

1: Sitting for a long time will not only cause swelling of your calves, but also make you have back pain, so don't sit for a long time. It is best to stand up every 50 minutes or an hour to drink a glass of water, go to the toilet, and walk more, which can promote blood circulation in your calves.

2. After sitting for a long time, the calf muscles are in a static state. Gently massaging the calves can also promote the circulation of Qi and blood in the legs, and have a certain "dissipation" effect on stagnant Qi and blood.

3: If you are really busy and have no time to walk, then remember to soak your feet in warm water when you get home at night. This is also a good way to improve calf swelling.

Now that we have mentioned the “culprit” behind calf edema caused by long-term sitting, I hope that people who have this habit will pay more attention to it and never let it deplete your health.