A doctor has shared a TikTok video warning why you shouldn't spend more than 10 minutes on the toilet, simply saying that gravity 'is not your friend'. Take a look below:
Dr Karan Rajan (@dr.karanr) is a doctor who regularly shares medical advice online - including a recent post about how to spend your time on the loo if you want to avoid having to have haemorrhoid surgery.
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According to the NHS, haemorrhoids - also known as 'piles' - are lumps inside and around your bottom (anus).
They often get better on their own 'after a few days', but there are also a number of things you can do to treat and prevent them, including some listed by the doctor.
"Don't do this!" the video is captioned, with Dr Karan telling the camera three things that people shouldn't ever do on the toilet.
One of his top tips is not 'spending your life on the toilet', telling followers: "Try not to spend on average more than 10 minutes on the toilet. Gravity is not your friend.
"The longer you spend on the toilet the longer the blood can pool in these rectal veins causing haemorrhoids."
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Other advice Dr Karan had for people was not to strain when in the bathroom.
After showing a graphic that detailed the 'formation process' of haemorrhoids, Dr Karan said: "Fun fact, everyone has anal cushions. These are there to stop us pooing ourselves and they also contain blood vessels.
"But if you keep straining on the toilet these blood vessels could swell up and cause haemorrhoids."
Finally, Dr Karan also warned: "Don't skip the fibre."
He continued: "Unless you have a specific medical condition, you should be aiming for 2-30g of fibre a day.
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"So you don't always have to cut the crusts off your bread. And keep the skin on your fruit and veg."
The NHS says that other things you can do to treat or prevent piles are to: drink lots of fluid; wipe your bottom with damp toilet paper; take paracetamol if piles hurt; take a warn bath to ease itching and pain; use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to ease discomfort; gently push a pile back inside; keep your bottom clean and dry; exercise regularly; and cut down on alcohol and caffeine to avoid constipation.
Along with not pushing too hard or spending too much time in the bathroom, other things to avoid include: wiping your bottom too hard after your poo, ignoring the urge to poo; taking painkillers that contain codeine as they cause constipation; and taking ibuprofen if your piles are bleeding.
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@dr.karanrTopics: World News, News, Health