Why Standing Too Long Can Cause Swelling and Fainting

 

Why Standing Too Long Can Cause Swelling and Fainting

        Standing for a long time may seem harmless, but it can affect how blood moves in your body. When you stand still for too long, gravity pulls the blood down toward your legs and feet. This is called venous pooling.

        Normally, your leg muscles help push blood back up to your heart when you walk or move. But if you stay still while standing, those muscles don’t work much, and the blood can start to collect in the lower parts of your body.

        When too much blood stays in your legs, the pressure inside the veins increases. This extra pressure can make some fluid leak out of the blood vessels into the tissues. As a result, your legs and feet may become swollen, which is known as edema. You might also feel heaviness, aching, or tightness in your legs.

        At the same time, if too much blood stays in your legs, less blood reaches your brain. The brain needs a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients from the blood to work properly. If it doesn’t get enough, you may start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or weak. In some cases, this can even lead to fainting (passing out).

        To prevent this, it’s important to keep your blood flowing. You can do this by moving your legs, walking around, or bending your knees every few minutes. Wearing compression stockings can also help push blood back toward the heart.

        In short, standing for too long can cause blood to pool in your legs, leading to swelling and, in severe cases, fainting. Taking breaks and moving often keeps your circulation healthy and helps you stay strong and alert.