The Truth About Sitting on the Toilet Too Long—A Shocking Thing You Need To Know

I will admit that I do take my phone into the bathroom with me every time that I have to "go". It's a nice time to catch up on the news, read and send e-mails, and try to solve the daily crossword puzzle. Apparently, I have been putting myself at risk because spending too much time on the toilet is actually bad for your health.

Experts say that sitting on the toilet for too long increases the risk of hemorrhoids and weakens pelvic muscles. Dr. Lai Xue is a colorectal surgeon at the university of Texas, and he tells us that gravity is a contributing factor. When you are sitting the gravity increases pressure on your lower body which can affect blood circulation, cause veins to swell, and eventually result in hemorrhoids. You could even be at risk of a rectal prolapse where the rectum slips out of place.

If you don't want this to happen the best action to take is limiting your time on the toilet to 5-10 minutes. Some suggestions to help you get in and get out of the bathroom as quickly as possible are to leave your phone and your reading material out of the bathroom. If you are having trouble defecating, you can take a short walk, drink plenty of water, and be sure to eat fiber-rich foods like oats and beans.

Just remember that a healthy toilet routine depends on what you do before, during and after you take a seat!