You’ve been pooing all wrong – and it could be putting your health at risk
CHANCES are you visit the bathroom several times every day.
But do you take note of what's really going on while you're sitting on the loo?
When it comes to poo, there are lots of things your number twos can reveal about your health, from how healthy your diet is to whether you're at risk of bowel cancer.
And it turns out, how you go for a poo can also reveal a lot about your gut health.
If you find yourself straining to go, experts have warned it could be a warning sign of various conditions, and pose a number of hidden risks, from a rectal prolapse to hernias and haemorrhoids.
So while the odd strain every now and then is perfectly normal, but if you find a number two is always a bit of a struggle, it might be time to seek medical help.
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Dr Chun Tang, medical direction and GP at , said: "Excessive straining could even cause your rectum to prolapse which is where the lining of your intestines pushes outside of your body.
"Hiatal hernias are when the upper part of your stomach pushes through the opening in your diaphragm which could trap stomach acid and delay proper digestion."
Anal fissures are another example of problems caused by continuous straining.
The NHS describe the condition as “a tear or open sore that develops in the lining of the large intestine, near the anus”.
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“Anal fissures are most commonly caused by damage to the lining of the anus or anal canal, the last part of the large intestine.
“Most cases occur in people who have constipation when a particularly hard or large poo tears the lining of the anal canal”.
Haemorrhoids are another condition caused by straining otherwise known as piles which could lead to blood clots.
According to one , up to 36.4 per cent of people suffer from haemorrhoids with the best treatment, apart from less straining, being bed rest, analgesia, hot baths, ice packs, soothing topical applications or stool softeners.
Tenesmus is a condition that makes a person feel they need to have a poo despite having empty bowels.
It can often cause straining but it can also be a symptom of bowel cancer, as well as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, anorectal abscess, colorectal tumours, irritable bowel syndrome, chlamydia trachomatis infection and endometriosis.
How to stop the strain
If you're worried about regularly straining for a poo, Dr Tang says there are some things you can do to remedy it.
"You need to get to the root cause of what is causing you to strain," Dr Tang explained.
"If you poo less than three times a week or you have ongoing issues with passing stools, then you’re likely suffering from constipation.
"You can try some home remedies such as eating lots of fibre and taking some over-the-counter laxatives but if this persists, you are best to speak to your GP."
When it comes to reducing strained poos diet, water and position are all key.
Pelvic physiotherapist Elaine Miller recommends squatting when going to the toilet as “this position encourages the pelvic floor to relax”.
She adds: “Sitting with hips at 90 degrees means the puborectalis muscle is not relaxed which means the kink in the upper rectum does not straighten out.
“Raising the feet, so that the hips are flexed beyond 90 degrees straightens out where the colon and rectum join and allows poo to pass more easily."
The more hydrated you are the easier your stools are to pass and a nutritious diet with more high fibre foods, fruits and vegetables will all aid in a smoother journey.
Whatever is causing your straining, if you notice any change to your bowel habits, it's important to get it checked.
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Cheryl Lythgoe, matron at Benenden Health, said: “If you do experience something that doesn’t seem quite right – this could be a change in the colour, shape, consistency or smell of your poo, finding blood in your stool or a change in the frequency of your toilet habits that lasts for two weeks or more – then please do get it checked out by a professional.
“The chances are it won’t be anything serious, but for peace of mind and to get suitable treatment for any issues, it’s really important to leave fear and embarrassment at the door and go get some medical advice.”