A neurologist has revealed the one major thing he will never do – and it’s something many of us will be guilty of.
In a TikTok which went viral with 2.1 million views, Dr Bing lifted the lid on the common thing people do which can have worrying repercussions.
Many of us are guilty of taking our phones into the bathroom with us to do our business – but Dr Bing warned that sitting on the toilet for too long can cause health issues.
In the video, the Michigan, US-based neurologist said: “Here’s one thing I don’t do as a neurologist, and that is sitting on the toilet for too long.”
He explained that while people may know that sitting down on the loo for a long time can increase the risk of hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse, there is an even more troubling problem that it can lead to.
Dr Bing continued: “Sitting on the toilet for too long can make your blood pool in your legs, and when that happens and when you stand up suddenly, there might not be enough blood going to your brain.
“And that’s why some people feel very woozy.
“On top of that, if you strain, hold your breath, and push very hard, this increases pressure in your chest, which reduces blood flow back to your heart, and lowers how much blood your heart can pump to your brain.
“All of this can make someone feel lightheaded or even cause someone to faint, especially if they stand up too quickly.”
Dr Bing warned that this was especially prevalent in elderly people, but warns it can affect young people too.
He added: “When fainting leads to a fall, it can result in serious injuries like fractures or even brain bleeds.
“We see these cases more commonly than you’d think.
“To prevent this, you should keep your bathroom visits short – between five to 10 minutes.
“If nothing happens after a few minutes, get up, walk around, and try again later.
“Avoid straining, stay hydrated, and make sure you eat a diet that allows for better bowel movements.
“Always take your time going from a sitting to a standing position – especially if you’ve been sitting for too long.
“And if you’re one of those people that likes to scroll on your phone while you’re on the toilet: set a timer!”
The video garnered over 100,000 likes on TikTok, as reported by Need To Know.
One person commented: “The number of husbands that will be sent this video lol.”
“All of us on the toilet watching,” said another.
Someone else added: “I start scrolling on TikTok and forget I’m on the toilet.”
“Well this is awkward,” one person quipped.
Another user commented: “IMMEDIATELY sent this to my husband.”
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