A doctor has warned against an everyday habit which we're probably all guilty of doing - maybe without even realizing.
With so many distractions, it can be quite easy to ignore nature's call to use the restroom.
Maybe you're at work and feel too awkward to dash to the toilet, or you just don't like pooping in public toilets.
Or perhaps you're too comfortable tucked up in bed and simply can't be bothered to move.
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Either way, Australian gastroenterologist Professor Peter Katelaris has warned the habit can be bad for our health.
He told news.com.au that young, female office workers are most guilty of resisting the urge to pass stool, known as 'voluntary withholding.'
“People may try and override the urge to pass a bowel motion,” Prof Katelaris explained.
“Some people do this as they may consider it inconvenient or embarrassing to go to the toilet during a busy day at work.
"Others don’t like to use a shared public toilet, and much prefer to use their own toilet, so suppress the urge which then passes.”
Doing so can cause some uncomfortable symptoms, including 'bloating, fullness and discomfort,' the Sydney professor explained.
People might then try and poop when it's convenient for them, despite their body not signaling for them to, leading to constipation.
Prof Katelaris explained: “Some people expect their bowels to open when they want them to, typically after breakfast and before work.
"They sit in hope and expectation, sometimes for a long time, waiting for something to happen.”
The forced straining can then cause painful splits in the skin of the anus, known as fissures, as well as itchy, uncomfortable hemorrhoids.
In older people, straining can cause blood pressure to spike, which could in some cases result in a heart attack or a stroke.
So, how often should we be passing stool?
Prof Katelaris issued an important reminder: that 'our bodies are not machines.'
He added that people shouldn't worry if they're not pooping every single day.
“What is normal for one person may not be normal for another. In general, the majority of adults open their bowels between three times a day and three times a week,” he explained.
To keep your bowel movements regular, Katelaris recommends eating a balanced, portion-controlled, wholefood diet with minimal ultra-processed foods.
He also stresses the importance of drinking enough water to stay hydrated and getting an adequate amount of exercise.
However, if you notice any unusual, sustained changes with your bowel movement and poop, you should visit your general practitioner.
Ellie Kemp