A Proper Way to Poo? Squatty Potty Review
I have to admit, when I started blogging, a post about the proper
position while using the restroom was not on my list to write! Lately,
I’ve come across research and resources that have convinced me that this
is an important topic, and I’m going to attempt to address it while
keeping the TMI to a minimum.
position while using the restroom was not on my list to write! Lately,
I’ve come across research and resources that have convinced me that this
is an important topic, and I’m going to attempt to address it while
keeping the TMI to a minimum.
The Idea of Squatting
The
concept of squatting when defecating is not a new one. In fact, I was
quite surprised the first couple of times I saw toilets designed for
this purpose when traveling. At that time, I just considered it an
outdated and primitive toilet, and couldn’t understand why anyone would
use one.
concept of squatting when defecating is not a new one. In fact, I was
quite surprised the first couple of times I saw toilets designed for
this purpose when traveling. At that time, I just considered it an
outdated and primitive toilet, and couldn’t understand why anyone would
use one.
Fast forward a few years to my toothpaste and deodorant making, organic-cooking
days and the concept actually makes a lot of sense. In fact, young
children often do this naturally when eliminating (I can often tell when
my one year old is about to need a diaper change because she is
squatting down behind the couch).
days and the concept actually makes a lot of sense. In fact, young
children often do this naturally when eliminating (I can often tell when
my one year old is about to need a diaper change because she is
squatting down behind the couch).
Recently, I’ve seen posts from
everyone from Dr. Mercola to Dr. Oz touting the benefits of proper
bathroom posture, and even Bill Gates recently held a contest to
re-design the modern toilet. Experts point out that the squatting
position is more natural and can help avoid colon disease, constipation,
hemorrhoids, pelvic floor issues and similar ailments. Since Colon
disease runs in my family and hemorrhoids and pelvic floor issues can
often be an unfortunate side effect of pregnancy, I was willing to give
it a try.
everyone from Dr. Mercola to Dr. Oz touting the benefits of proper
bathroom posture, and even Bill Gates recently held a contest to
re-design the modern toilet. Experts point out that the squatting
position is more natural and can help avoid colon disease, constipation,
hemorrhoids, pelvic floor issues and similar ailments. Since Colon
disease runs in my family and hemorrhoids and pelvic floor issues can
often be an unfortunate side effect of pregnancy, I was willing to give
it a try.
As this website explains:
“When we’re sitting this bend, called the anorectal angle, is kinked
which puts upward pressure on the rectum and keeps the feces inside.
This creates the need to STRAIN in order to eliminate. Compare sitting
on the toilet to a kinked garden hose, it just doesn’t work properly. In
a squatting posture the bend straightens out and defecation becomes
easier.
“When we’re sitting this bend, called the anorectal angle, is kinked
which puts upward pressure on the rectum and keeps the feces inside.
This creates the need to STRAIN in order to eliminate. Compare sitting
on the toilet to a kinked garden hose, it just doesn’t work properly. In
a squatting posture the bend straightens out and defecation becomes
easier.
Assuming the squat position is the natural way to achieve
easier and more complete elimination. Research has shown that in some
people, the kink is completely gone while squatting.”
easier and more complete elimination. Research has shown that in some
people, the kink is completely gone while squatting.”
5 Problems with Sitting On Your Toilet
#1: Constipation
Let’s face it: most of us don’t get the fiber we need in our diets. It’s
true. And we fail to get all the water we need as well. These two
things along with improper toilet posture which doesn’t allow us to
eliminate completely is a bad combination that creates hard dry stools.
These hard dry stools are very hard to push out. It’s called
constipation, and we’ve all experienced it. Unfortunately, it’s the norm
for altogether too many of us. But that’s just the beginning…
Let’s face it: most of us don’t get the fiber we need in our diets. It’s
true. And we fail to get all the water we need as well. These two
things along with improper toilet posture which doesn’t allow us to
eliminate completely is a bad combination that creates hard dry stools.
These hard dry stools are very hard to push out. It’s called
constipation, and we’ve all experienced it. Unfortunately, it’s the norm
for altogether too many of us. But that’s just the beginning…
#2: Hemorrhoids
Getting those hard stools out calls for lots of pushing. And that
pressure causes hemorrhoids, which can be very painful. Hemorrhoids are
inflamed anal varicose veins that have swollen because of our need to
push excessively to get those hard stools to pass. And as bad as
hemorrhoids are, they aren’t the worst of our potential problems.
Getting those hard stools out calls for lots of pushing. And that
pressure causes hemorrhoids, which can be very painful. Hemorrhoids are
inflamed anal varicose veins that have swollen because of our need to
push excessively to get those hard stools to pass. And as bad as
hemorrhoids are, they aren’t the worst of our potential problems.
#3: Colon Disease
Eliminating completely and often helps maintain good colon health. Many
studies point to fecal buildup in the colon as a cause of diseases
including colon cancer. And when there is buildup in the colon, our
bodies can’t absorb all the nutrients from the food we eat, leaving us
without the energy we could enjoy if our colons were healthy.
Eliminating completely and often helps maintain good colon health. Many
studies point to fecal buildup in the colon as a cause of diseases
including colon cancer. And when there is buildup in the colon, our
bodies can’t absorb all the nutrients from the food we eat, leaving us
without the energy we could enjoy if our colons were healthy.
#4: Urinary Difficulty/Infections
Urinary flow is usually stronger and easier when women squat to urinate.
The bladder is emptied more completely when squatting rather than
sitting or “hovering”. Squatting can help reduce episodes of urinary
tract infections in both frequency and intensity. Now, that is good
news!
Urinary flow is usually stronger and easier when women squat to urinate.
The bladder is emptied more completely when squatting rather than
sitting or “hovering”. Squatting can help reduce episodes of urinary
tract infections in both frequency and intensity. Now, that is good
news!
#5: Pelvic Floor Issues
One of the main causes of this condition is straining on the toilet. The
“sitting” position causes a great amount of pressure on the anorectal
Angle of the colon causing the lower part of the colon to drop and
protrude into the wall of the vagina. Pelvic floor nerves can be
protected by squatting for bowel elimination. Men can also suffer from
pelvic floor disorders and can readily benefit from using the Squatty
Potty as a part of their everyday routine.
One of the main causes of this condition is straining on the toilet. The
“sitting” position causes a great amount of pressure on the anorectal
Angle of the colon causing the lower part of the colon to drop and
protrude into the wall of the vagina. Pelvic floor nerves can be
protected by squatting for bowel elimination. Men can also suffer from
pelvic floor disorders and can readily benefit from using the Squatty
Potty as a part of their everyday routine.
Sources: http://wellnessmama.com/7013/squatty-potty-review/
