News flush!

It’s a bodily function that you’d think would come naturally – but actually, most of us are doing toilet time all wrong. But considering we spend so much time on the toilet – an average of three-and-a-half hours a week

– it’s important to get it right.

Stephanie Taylor, health and wellbeing expert at Stressnomore, lifts the lid on common toilet mistakes...

Sitting incorrectly

The muscles around our rectum control whether we poo or not.

When sitting down the anorectal angle is kinked, and the puborectalis muscle chokes the rectum, keeping faeces inside. When we squat and lift our knees higher than our hips, the anorectal angle is straightened and the puborectalis muscle releases the rectum, making pooping much easier.

If you don’t get rid of all faeces it can cause constipation, which can lead to bowel disease or appendicitis.

Solution: Consider buying a toilet stool, which helps you achieve the squatting position and puts your muscles into elimination mode.

Staying on the loo for too long

While you might enjoy sitting on the toilet, scrolling through social media, this could be damaging your rectum.

Sitting with your anus at a different level than the rest of your bottom half puts pressure on the veins in your lower rectum – which could lead to haemorrhoids and rectal bleeding. Solution: Only sit on the toilet for as long as you feel the urge to go and, if nothing is happening, get up and do something else. If you have been sitting for longer than 15 minutes, you could be constipated.

Straining when you go

This puts pressure on the muscles and blood vessels, making them swell.

The pressure can lead to painful haemorrhoids (piles), or anal fissures – a small tear in the large intestine near the anus, which can be itchy, painful and result in bleeding. Or, in the worst cases, rectal prolapse, where your rectum drops through your anus.

Solution: Try upping your fibre intake to loosen your bowels and if the problem persists, visit a doctor.

Using scented paper or wipes

The chemicals in scented wipes can irritate the skin, causing it to itch or burn. Otherwise known as ‘pruritus ani’ or ‘polished anus syndrome’, this affects at least 5% of us. Solution: Ensure you use only plain white, unscented toilet paper.