Health Wisdom in Scientifically Identifying Edema and Office Syndrome

Edema is not always a sign of illness.

Edema is often a signal of heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, endocrine system disorders, etc., but some types of edema are not symptoms of disease but rather physiological responses.

Idiopathic edema: Mild swelling often appears in the eyelids and face upon waking in the morning, with pitting edema or a feeling of tightness in the lower limbs. This gradually lessens with activity. Most scholars believe this condition is related to neurological, psychological factors, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Reactive edema: Some people, especially those working in high-temperature environments or those who are overweight and inactive, experience swelling in their hands and feet due to the dilation of blood vessels in the skin caused by high environmental temperatures, leading to fluid leakage and accumulation in subcutaneous tissue. This usually subsides on its own after summer. However, if it occurs every summer for many years, it generally does not require treatment.

Postural edema: Prolonged standing, walking, squatting, or sitting can cause swelling in the ankles and even both lower limbs due to obstructed blood return and blood pooling. The swelling usually subsides or disappears on its own after changing position. Studies have found that increased aldosterone secretion in an upright position can cause temporary water and sodium retention, leading to edema.

Drug-induced edema. Swelling in the face, hands, and feet can occur after taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids, testosterone, androgens, insulin, thiourea, and licorice. These medications can cause water and sodium retention, and the swelling will gradually subside after discontinuing the medication.

There is no need to worry excessively about the above-mentioned edema, and there is no need to use medication indiscriminately. However, if edema occurs, the cause must be identified. If the edema is caused by an illness, it should be treated actively.

Beware of "Workday Syndrome"

You may have experienced this: sitting in the office five days a week, often feeling neck stiffness, back pain, and general fatigue. The symptoms usually subside after a weekend rest. However, these symptoms recur and gradually worsen. This is actually a common ailment among office workers. Prolonged, unchanging sitting posture, especially with poor posture, puts continuous strain on the neck and back, causing damage to the back muscles and ligaments due to excessive stretching, resulting in the aforementioned symptoms. This is sometimes called "weekday syndrome."

In fact, you can prevent neck and back pain by doing the following two things while sitting at a desk:

Maintain good posture. Good posture means keeping your torso straight, your back balanced and neutral, and maintaining the three natural curves of the spine. How to maintain good posture?

① Keep your head and neck in a neutral position.

② Use a lumbar support pillow for your lower back.

③ Use a wedge-shaped seat cushion.

④ Sit as close to your desk as possible with your feet flat on the ground.

⑤ Avoid looking down while reading.

Perform correct chair posture.

① Change between 2-3 safe sitting postures frequently, and avoid sitting in one position for extended periods.

② When turning to pick up something, rotate your entire body together.

③ When bending over to pick up something while seated, first move your buttocks forward to the edge of the chair, move one foot forward, and support yourself with one hand on the table before bending over.

④ When making a phone call, support yourself on the table with the elbow of the arm holding the receiver to keep your head and neck in a neutral and relaxed position. Never hold the receiver between your head and shoulder.

⑤ Perform neck and back exercises (including stretching exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, and aerobic exercise).

These exercises can improve soft tissue flexibility, maintain and restore the three natural curves of the spine, strengthen muscles, enhance cardiopulmonary function, accelerate the recovery from neck and back pain, and prevent or reverse workday syndrome.