Science says traffic congestion can kill you
MANILA, Philippines - Experts have continued to warn us about the toll of sitting for too long due to the congested traffic.
RELATED: 5 ways bad transportation system can affect your health
Apart from the transport emissions that cause dizziness and other diseases, vibrations created by vehicles can cause muscle damage, too. Furthermore, sitting for too long can increase the risk of your death as it may result to blood clots or disease more scientifically known as Venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel causing a partial or total obstruction. It prevents blood from flowing normally through the circulatory system. In the Western part of the world, blood clot kills one person every 37 seconds.
The seriousness of thrombosis is often overlooked and misunderstood. A recent global survey conducted by ICM Research showed that only one in 10 people consider blood clots as life threatening as AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer or road traffic accidents.
Here are a few signs of thrombosis:
- discomfort in the legs
- pain or aching on the leg area
- throbbing, itching, or warmth in the legs
- skin changes in the leg, such as discoloration, thickening, or ulceration
- swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
People who commute to work by car are said to be less healthy than those who go to work by walking or biking. Researchers have also warned about that the cumulative effect of getting annoyed at small things every day is damaging. So it is always better to keep your cool when on the road.
RELATED: Tips to lessen the traffic stress
