A doctor has issued a warning to people who refuse to poop at work.
Now, I don't know about you, but pooping in a public restroom has always been something I avoided.
Not only is hygiene a very questionable thing in stalls used by the masses, but the entire idea of being heard, the smell, the vibes - it's a big fat no from me.
It turns out though, that this type of mindset, which is common amongst a lot of us folks, might actually be doing us more harm than good.
Professor Peter Katelaris, a gastroenterologist from Sydney, recently explained why holding yourself back when you really need to go can be detrimental to your health.
"People may try and override the urge to pass a bowel motion," the expert told News.com.au. "Some people do this as they may consider it inconvenient or embarrassing to go to the toilet during a busy day at work. Others don’t like to use a shared public toilet, and much prefer to use their own toilet, so suppress the urge which then passes."
However, when it comes to the time that they feel comfortable letting it all go, their bodies just aren't in the mood anymore, which can lead to a handful of other issues.
“It can cause bloating, fullness, and discomfort as they become constipated,” Professor Katelaris explained.
Most of us assume that we can just go whenever we're mentally ready to go and while that may be true on some occasions, it is important to note that the body also has its own way of telling us that it is time and suppressing that may not be a good idea.
"Some people expect their bowels to open when they want them to, typically after breakfast and before work," he went on to tell the outlet. "They sit in hope and expectation, sometimes for a long time, waiting for something to happen."
And of course, we all know what pushing can do to the area... that's right, hemorrhoids.
Equally as painful are fissures, which are cuts in the skin that can occur due to intense pressure.
That risk gets more serious the older we get and sometimes, pushing too hard can have a negative effect on your blood pressure, leaving you more prone to heart attacks or strokes.
So what makes a healthy bowel movement?
"What is normal for one person may not be normal for another. In general, the majority of adults open their bowels between three times a day and three times a week," Professor Katelaris noted adding that there are several factors that come into play that can affect the outcome.
“Remember, humans have evolved in nature as omnivorous beings. Our bowel functions best when we eat the diet we have evolved to eat. This isn’t complicated,” he explained.
He emphasized the importance of eating whole foods and reducing ultra-processed foods in one's diet.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy diet consists of fruit, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils and beans), nuts, and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat, and brown rice).
It also involves reducing the intake of refined sugars and excess salt.
“If a diet contains mostly low fibre, processed and ultra-processed foods, it is much more likely that bowel function will be affected – as well as lots of other potential downsides to our health,” the expert explained, adding that fluid intake also needs to be at the required level to keep the body ticking along.
"There is not a precise amount for each day," he said. "For most healthy people, if you have a dry mouth or always feel thirsty, or your urine is dark, you are not drinking enough fluid. If you are not thirsty and your urine is pale or clear, you are [drinking enough]. It’s that simple."
So folks, if you want healthy bowel movements, take a look at your diet and see what changes you can make today. And if you need to poop during work hours, just do it.
For more general advice by the WHO, click here.
