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Life Tips 02/07/2025 16:41

Cut down your toilet time! Doctors caution that prolonged sitting (over 10 minutes) elevates your chances of int!mate medical problems

They don't use that saying for no reason, you know.
Your toilet habits might vary from day to day—some days you're in and out quickly, while other times, you seem to be stuck on the seat. However, doctors are warning against spending too much time in the bathroom, as it could lead to a personal health issue.
If your toilet trips regularly stretch beyond ten minutes, you may be putting your bottom at risk of a health problem. Many people tend to linger longer than necessary, often distracted by their phone or other reading material while using the restroom.
Extended sitting on the toilet can weaken your pelvic and anal muscles, and significantly increase the likelihood of developing haemorrhoids. These painful lumps, commonly known as piles, form around or inside your anus.
According to the NHS, symptoms of haemorrhoids include itching around the anus, bright red blood after a bowel movement, and a sensation that you still need to go, even after using the toilet. Other signs may include mucus on your underwear or toilet paper and discomfort around the anus. It’s certainly a personal problem that no one wants to deal with.
Fortunately, there are treatments available for haemorrhoids, but it’s better to avoid them in the first place. In today’s digital age, one key preventative measure is limiting your toilet time to ten minutes or less, especially if you're scrolling through social media during your bathroom break.
Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, shared that he often sees patients with complaints about piles. He emphasized that extended time spent on the toilet is unhealthy for both the pelvic floor and the anorectal area.
"Nowadays, we see more people spending excessive time in the bathroom, and it’s not good for the pelvic floor or anorectal organs," Dr. Xue said in an interview with CNN.
If you're having trouble with your bowel movements, Dr. Xue recommends wrapping up after ten minutes and going for a short walk. This can stimulate your gut muscles and help get things moving. Consuming a high-fiber diet is also a great way to avoid bathroom frustration.
Dr. Farah Monzur, an assistant professor of medicine and director at Stony Brook Medicine's Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, also agrees with limiting toilet time. She suggests that people should aim to spend no more than five to ten minutes in the bathroom. Unfortunately, the time often drags on as people get lost in their phones.
Dr. Monzur warns that sitting on the toilet for too long may cause people to strain their muscles to force a bowel movement. This can lead to weakened muscles and, in some cases, even a rectal prolapse—when the lower part of the bowel stretches and protrudes outside the anus. It's another unpleasant and avoidable issue.
To avoid these issues, Dr. Monzur recommends keeping your phone and reading material out of the bathroom. "Don’t go in thinking you’ll be there for an extended period," she advises. "You’ll feel the need to bring something to occupy your time. The key is to make sitting on the toilet as dull as possible."
By following these simple guidelines, you can help protect your health while keeping your bathroom visits brief and stress-free.

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