What Impact Does Sitting Have On Kidney Health?

You're not alone if you find yourself sitting for most of the day while working. While standing desks and other unique workstations work for some people, not everyone is able to prevent themselves from sitting for hours at a time each day. Many people also choose to sit for long periods when relaxing as well. Unfortunately, prolonged sitting can have many negative effects on your health. According to WebMD, it can put you at a higher risk of developing diabetes, developing some cancers, and having a heart attack.

Sitting all day can also increase your risk of developing chronic kidney disease, particularly in women. Women who spend less than three hours sitting during the day are 30 percent less likely to develop chronic kidney disease than those who spend more than three hours per day sitting. While regular physical activity during the day can help offset these effects for men, it does not seem to be very helpful for women. What matters more for women is that they try to stand as much as possible during the day.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that worsens over time and results in the progressive loss of kidney function (via Medical News Today). This can happen over months or years, though in some cases it happens much faster. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain medications are all potential causes of CKD. Other possible causes include kidney injury from infection or trauma, as well as certain genetic conditions.

Chronic kidney disease can cause fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent infections, easy bleeding, and changes in skin color. Swelling in the legs or ankles may occur in advanced stages of CKD due to fluid retention. People in this stage may also have difficulty urinating and have blood in their urine. Chronic kidney disease can progress to kidney failure, which occurs when the kidneys no longer function properly. This is a potentially fatal condition that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

According to Mayo Clinic, extended sitting can lead to a variety of health problems including obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can decrease your chances of developing those conditions because of a forced sedentary lifestyle.

Simply getting up and walking is one of the simplest methods to counteract the consequences of sitting all day (via Mindbodygreen). Take a quick walk around the building or outside for some fresh air when you can take a break at work. And if you can just get away from your desk for a short while, don't discount quick strolls. Whether your walk lasts five minutes or an hour, getting up from your chair and moving around can assist your body to counterbalance the detrimental consequences of sitting. Walking isn't all that might help. To increase circulation and loosen up stiff muscles, try stretching (via The Center for Physical Rehabilitation). The cat and cow pose is one of several yoga poses that can stretch out your spine and prevent lower back problems. Any sort of movement will be beneficial.