SAEDNEWS: Doctors advise that the average time spent on the toilet should be between 5 to 10 minutes.
According to SaedNews, some people have a habit of taking their phones to the toilet and staying there for a long time. Although this may seem harmless, experts warn that sitting on the toilet for more than 10 minutes can harm your health.
According to CNN, Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Medical Center, says: "When patients come to see me, one of the key areas I need to assess is the time they spend on the toilet." Additionally, Farah Monzur, an assistant professor of medicine and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center in Long Island, New York, says people should spend an average of 5 to 10 minutes on the toilet.
The dangers of prolonged toilet sitting stem from the laws of physics. Dr. Xue explains that gravity keeps us grounded, but it also forces the heart to work harder to pump blood. Toilet bowls position the rectum, a part of the large intestine, lower than when sitting on a couch.
In other words, gravity pulls the lower half of the body down, increasing blood pressure in that area. As a result, the veins and blood vessels around the anus and rectum enlarge and fill with blood, increasing the risk of hemorrhoids. Straining can also increase the risk of hemorrhoids. If someone is distracted by their phone while on the toilet, they may lose track of time, stay longer, and put more pressure on the lower muscles.
Besides weakening and straining the anal muscles, prolonged sitting on the toilet can increase the risk of rectal prolapse. Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum slips down and protrudes from the anus.
Additionally, the pelvic floor muscles weaken due to prolonged toilet sitting. Dr. Xue explains that the pelvic floor muscles coordinate a significant amount of bowel movement to ensure stool is properly expelled.
Doctors recommend walking a bit after spending a long time on the toilet. Also, drinking enough water and eating high-fiber foods like oats and beans are beneficial for regular bowel movements and preventing straining. The National Academy of Medicine recommends a daily intake of 2.7 to 3.7 liters of water. Additionally, the USDA suggests consuming 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories.
