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Originally Posted by camaraderie
seabreeze...you have ME worried now!!...but it seems you know a lot about it so...
Is some swelling NOT normal in older adults who sit immobile for hours. If the swelling goes away with activity is there anything to be concerned about?
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Yeah, it can be something as simple as a lack of activity. All those muscles act like little
pumps to aid in circulation. Every time they flex, they move fluid. (You may be able to minimize the tendency by habitually flexing your legs every so often). Just sitting there, they don't do much. It affects people to varying degrees. I've seen fairly young people with edema issues, and 80 y/o's that don't swell at all. I mean, the veins are plainly visible, no edema after sitting in a chair for several hours. There are so many variables. For example, most never have a real health issue with a long airline flight, then you hear about the one person who was found dead in her seat on the plane after a long flight to Australia (true story). Why? Massive blood clots from just sitting. Her circulation was limited by her limited activity. No other health issues as far as I know of, and she was, if I remember, in her 30's? (youngish anyway). That's the one that sticks out, but she was one in how many thousands? I can't remember a time when, even as a kid, at the end of the day I pulled off my tube socks and couldn't see the indentions. Within a few minutes they're gone. See what I mean? The body is in a constant state of relative balance. It is once a certain parameter is exceeded and cannot be compensated for that we see problems. If you have a tendency to show some edema after sitting, it may be a minor deal, just the lack of activity. One thing to watch for is if that tendency worsens. That's a hint and a half to take notice and get checked out.