Constipation is a common issue that affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort, strain, and frustration.
It is a common gastrointestinal issue characterized by infrequent bowel movements, hard or lumpy stools, and difficulty passing stools.
Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water from the stool, making it hard and dry, or when the intestinal muscles contract too slowly, causing a delay in bowel movement.
Dr. Karen Raj, also known as @dr.karanr, an NHS surgeon and lecturer at Sunderland University recently shared a helpful hack on Tiktok suggesting how to sit on the toilet to alleviate constipation.
In this article, we'll learn about the causes and symptoms of constipation, how to go about the hack, its benefits, and additional food tips to help you poop better.
@dr.karanr 💩 hack @Dr. Sadovskaya💊Health Guide ♬ original sound - Dr Karan Raj
Causes of Constipation
According to NHS, some of the causes of constipation could include:
- Not eating enough fiber
- Not drinking enough water
- Less physical activity
- Side effects of a medication
- Ignoring the urge to use the toilet
- Anxiety, depression or stress
- Change in diet or daily routine
- It could occur during pregnancy or postpartum
Symptoms Of Constipation
- Infrequent bowel movement
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stool
- Straining during bowel movement
- Feeling like the rectum is blocked
- Feeling like the bowel is not completely emptied.
The Toilet Hack
Dr. Raj's toilet hack involves sitting on the toilet with one leg over the other like you're assuming the squatting position.
This positioning changes the angle of the rectum by replacing the puborectal muscle, which normally creates a kink in the rectum to maintain continence.
It also increases the intra-abdominal pressure, allowing you to squeeze out stool like a frozen yogurt dispenser.
By lessening the kink, it allows for a more direct passage of stool and optimized poop physics.
However, Dr. Raj cautioned that this trick won't solve chronic constipation issues or replace a fiber-rich diet, but if you're experiencing sudden internal plumbing issues, it could be your get-out-of-poop-jail-free card.
He added that if you're someone who strains a lot regularly, it can lead to a condition called dyssynergia defamation where the body forgets how to poop properly, and the pelvis floor contracts when it should be relaxing.
Just in case you don't fancy toilet yoga, you could get a poop stool or something to keep under your feet to get the same effect. However, if you experience constipation regularly, you should visit your doctor.
Foods To Help You Poop Better
Adding the following food to your diet can help improve bowel movement:
- Vegetables like spinach, broccoli
- Legumes like beans, lentils
- Whole grains like wheat bread, brown rice
- Nuts and seeds like almonds chia seeds
- High-fiber fruits like kiwi, apple
- Plenty of water
While the yoga pooping position is not a long-term solution for chronic constipation, it can help alleviate symptoms at the moment.
By inculcating this trick in your bathroom routine and regularly eating food that promotes bowel movements, you can reduce the discomfort and frustration associated with constipation.