While it may seem harmless, spending too much time sitting on the toilet can have harmful health consequences. A lot of people take advantage of that time to check their phone, read, or simply take a break.

Yet, if this habit becomes frequent and prolonged, it can become a serious medical problem. Below’s why you should never spend more than 10 minutes sitting on the toilet.

Excessive pressure on the rectum and anus

As you sit on the toilet, especially in Western models with a seat, the posture you adopt puts direct pressure on your anus and rectum. This pressure, when maintained for several minutes, can favor the appearance of hemorrhoids, since the veins in that area become inflamed by prolonged compression.

Additionally, if you make efforts during the evacuation, this pressure multiplies, aggravating the situation and leading to pain, bleeding and continuous discomfort.

The impact on traffic

Sitting in the same position for so long can impact blood circulation in your lower extremities, especially if you’re leaning forward or with your elbows resting on your knees. This bad habit can make contributions to the formation of varicose veins or cause a numbness or tingling sensation in the legs.

Bad bowel habits

By sitting too long in the toilet waiting for a bowel movement, the bowel’s natural reflex is disrupted, which can lead to chronic constipation. This occurs because of the fact that the bowel begins to become out of sync with the regular habit of bowel movements, making it increasingly difficult and painful.

Increased exposure to bacteria

Though bathrooms are cleaned frequently, they are spaces where many bacteria and germs accumulate. Staying longer than necessary in this environment increases exposure to microorganisms that can lead to infections on the skin, respiratory tract or even in open wounds.

What is recommended?

+ Evacuate and leave: Go to the toilet only when you really want to have a bowel movement and avoid forcing the process.

+ Maximum 10 minutes: If you don’t manage to do it in that time, it’s better to get up and come back later.

+ Avoid using your cell phone in the bathroom: The phone prolongs the stay unnecessarily and can get full of bacteria.

+ Adopt a better posture: Consider using a stool to support your feet, which simulates squatting and improves bowel movements.

+ Drink enough water and eat fiber: This will help to have a more regular and smooth intestinal transit.

Sitting more than 10 minutes on the toilet is not just an unhygienic habit, but it can be a trigger for intestinal and circulatory problems. It is crucial to adopt good practices in the bathroom to maintain proper digestive health and prevent complications that, over time, may need medical treatment.