HUMANS, as rule, don't talk about poop.
We can just about tolerate conversations around bodily fluids like pee and periods, but there is something about a number two which we really struggle with.
But pooping is a normal occurrence for everyone.
And many experts say the way some of us sit on the loo can actually make the whole experience more difficult.
Plonking yourself on the loo the standard way can cause your colon to kink, leaving you straining in an attempt to empty your bowels.
Instead of doing this, you should find a way to squat.
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The NHS suggests resting your feet on a low stool so the knees are higher than the hips.
This is because the squatting position relaxes the rectum muscle and straightens your colon, giving the poop a straight route out, NHS NHS surgeon Dr Karen Raj, explained.
But when we're away from home, we don't always have a stool to hand.
Taking to TikTok, the expert detailed another easy way you can help your bowels while on the move.
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"The most important thing you can do is focus on angles – specifically the angle between your torso and thighs," the expert said.
"Make this as small as possible," he added.
1. Lean forward
To reduce the space between your stomach and thighs while sitting on the loo, make sure you lean forward, Dr Karen said.
2. Rest fit on towel
To make the angle even smaller, try combing leaning forward with raising your heels – so that you're on the balls of your feet.
"Or you can sit your feel on a rolled up towel to get your legs higher than your hips," he added.
NORMAL FOR YOU
When it comes to going for a number two, plenty of people aren’t really sure what’s normal.
Depending on your diet, age, and activity, regularity can mean anything from three bowel movements a day to three each week.
Keeping an eye on what's 'normal' for you though is crucial, as is being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
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- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
If you notice any changes to your usual habits, don't be embarrassed, speak to your GP.
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