"Why Do My Feet Become Numb While Squatting to Have a Bowel Movement?"

Why Do Our Feet Go Numb When Squatting for a Long Time?

In our daily lives, we all have bowel movements. Some people may notice that squatting in the toilet for an extended period can easily lead to numbness in their feet, whereas sitting on a toilet seat does not cause this issue. Generally, this phenomenon is primarily due to poor blood circulation, but there is more to it than meets the eye. It's essential to have a better understanding of this and control the duration of squatting to avoid any adverse effects. So, what exactly causes numbness in the feet while squatting for a bowel movement?

The numbness in the feet while squatting is caused by poor blood circulation leading to oxygen deprivation in the lower limbs, resulting in a tingling sensation. Additionally, the squatting position puts the lower limbs under tension, compressing the nerves, making it difficult to perceive the numbness. Once standing up, the nerves regain sensitivity, and the numbness becomes apparent.

When squatting, the lower limbs are folded, hindering venous blood return, while the arterial blood pressure remains high, placing the veins under high pressure. Prolonged stimulation of the nerves under these conditions can lead to a lingering effect, where the nerves continue to respond to the stimulus even after the stimulus is removed. This is similar to the visual afterimage of a bright light, where the brightness persists even when looking away or closing the eyes, sometimes even triggering an exaggerated reverse reaction, causing numbness.

The solution is straightforward: simply stand up and move around for a while, and the numbness will subside. No big deal!

Hazards of Prolonged Squatting in the Toilet

1. Impact on Bowel Habits: Bowel movements are reflex actions coordinated by the brain's defecation center. Prolonged squatting in the toilet while reading, using a computer, or playing on a phone can distract from the urge to defecate, weakening the neural impulses that effectively transmit the sensation to the brain. This leads to uncoordinated bowel movements, inhibiting the urge to defecate. Over time, the rectum becomes less sensitive to stool pressure, causing constipation, as the stool stays in the body longer, absorbing moisture and becoming dry.

2. Significant Harm to the Prostate: Prolonged sitting on the toilet extends the time spent defecating, leading to congestion in the lower abdomen and pelvic region. Additionally, stool retention in the rectum can compress the prostate, impeding blood flow and exacerbating symptoms of prostatitis.

3. Increased Risk of Hemorrhoids: Prolonged squatting causes the anus to become congested due to prolonged tension. Modern medical research confirms that squatting for more than three minutes can directly lead to rectal varicose veins, forming hemorrhoids. The severity of the condition correlates with the duration of squatting; the longer the time, the higher the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Prolonged squatting increases abdominal pressure, hinders venous return, expands the rectal veins, and weakens the venous valves, leading to hemorrhoid development. Reading newspapers while squatting can exacerbate this issue by prolonging the squatting period.

4. Harmful Gases in the Toilet: The concentration of ammonia in toilets is higher than in other places, with relatively low oxygen levels. Toxic gases and pathogenic bacteria generated by urine and feces can significantly harm the body. Smoking in the toilet, under the misconception that it masks the odor, actually produces more sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide due to the low oxygen levels. These, along with the toxic gases and bacteria, are inhaled into the lungs, posing significant health risks.