A Man's Retreat: Finding Peace and Hemorrhoids in the Bathroom
The toilet—the undisputed throne of every man’s domain, the one place where he can finally find solace and sanctuary from the chaos of everyday life. Behind that closed bathroom door lies a realm of tranquility, where a man can ponder life’s deepest mysteries (or maybe just catch up on the latest memes) in blissful solitude. It may sound like the house is on the verge of calamity –kids yelling, your wife yelling at the kids and your wife calling your name. You can hear it all, but just for a short time, you can ignore it all. The porcelain kingdom briefly returns your sense of dignity. However, while it’s a great retreat, a lurking danger threatens to disrupt your peace: the dreaded hemorrhoid.
Watch Out for Prolonged Sitting
Many people may be surprised to learn that sitting on the toilet for prolonged periods can lead to hemorrhoids. I learned the hard way several years ago. I never had a hemorrhoid in my 42 years. It was awful. When I went in to see my doctor, one of the first questions he asked me was how long do I sit on the toilet. I came clean. I told him the toilet was my hidden sanctuary, where I would spend as much time as I could get away with. He cautioned me and advised me to change my toilet habits. He advised I do my business as fast as possible and then get up right away. While he was examining me, I tried to lighten the mood… I asked my doctor if he imagined, while in medical school, that he would be looking at my anus at 4:45 PM on a Wednesday afternoon. I think we have a different sense of humor.
No More Than 10 Minutes
There is medical consensus that sitting on the toilet for extended periods can contribute to the development of hemorrhoids due to various factors. Prolonged sitting increases pressure on the veins in the rectal area. This elevated pressure can cause the veins to swell and bulge, leading to the formation of hemorrhoids. Additionally, prolonged sitting may restrict blood flow to the rectal area, impairing the body’s ability to maintain healthy veins and repair damaged tissue. Sedentary lifestyle habits, including spending excessive time on the toilet, can exacerbate constipation and straining during bowel movements, further increasing the risk of hemorrhoids. While there are numerous causes and risk factors that can lead to hemorrhoids, the medical literature is clear that spending too much time on the toilet can lead to the development hemorrhoids.
It is advised that you should not sit for more than 10 minutes on the toilet.
Enjoy With Caution
While the toilet may be a man’s sanctuary, just remember, too much of anything is not good. Next time you find yourself on your throne, just be aware that you may pay the price. To reduce the risk of hemorrhoids while sitting on the toilet, it’s essential to practice healthy bowel habits. With a mix of reverence and caution, enjoy your brief respite from the trials of the day, but don’t get carried away because hemorrhoids are no laughing matter.