What position is easiest for defecation?

2024-01-03

Squatting to defecate: theoretically easier to defecate

The theoretical basis that squatting is better than sitting is mainly based on a muscle called the "puborectalis muscle". This muscle starts from the pubic bone on one side, goes around the back of the rectum, and then returns to the pubic bone on the other side to form a ring, which just pulls the hook of the rectum and makes the rectum form an angle with the tip forward, which is called the "anal canal". rectal angle”. Generally, the anal angle in a sitting position is about 80° to 90°, while in a squatting position, the anal angle can reach about 100°. Theoretically, the larger the anal angle is, the less effort is required during defecation, so squatting will be smoother. In addition, when a person squats, the pressure on the abdomen is greater than when sitting. This can reduce abdominal force and help smooth defecation.

But in addition to differences in physiological structure, we also need to consider differences in culture and living habits. Did you know that there is a term called "Asian Squat", which is the posture in which we squat. When squatting, the soles of the feet must all touch the ground, and the heel lifting from the ground does not count. According to a survey, 100% of Asians can do this posture, but only 13.5% of Americans can do it, and 9% of the 13.5% are Asian Americans, and the rest are yoga fanatics. In a report on Chinese toilets in January 2015, the British "Daily Mail" believed that China's toilets need a revolution, mainly to "eliminate squatting."

For Europeans, squatting is not that good, but for the Chinese, squatting has a longer history and more market. In ancient Chinese agricultural society, squat toilets for public use could not only meet the physiological needs of a large population at low cost, but also collect excrement as fertilizer. Therefore, squatting toilets were widely used in China until the founding of New China and the period of collective economy. After the reform and opening up, foreign flush toilets have entered many families. However, with the improvement of people's hygiene knowledge, there are also many concerns about the health risks caused by toilets.

When toilets appear in public places, it has become a common concern for people that sitting on the toilet can easily spread various skin diseases. An online poll showed that as many as 88% of Chinese people believe that toilets in scenic spots should use squat toilets instead of sitting toilets.

Sitting to defecate: relieves pressure on legs

Although squatting is theoretically easier to defecate, sitting on the toilet will not directly cause anorectal diseases. Sitting on the toilet is a choice due to social development trends. As long as you slowly form a habit, sitting on the toilet is also an ideal way of defecation. It is indeed more comfortable to sit, with less pressure on the legs, and there will be no numbness in the legs after a long time. But at the same time, it should be noted that some people read books and newspapers on the toilet, which prolongs the time to go to the toilet. From this perspective, it is not impossible to increase the incidence of hemorrhoids. Compared with the squatting position, the gravity effect is not obvious when the abdomen is downward when sitting, the emptying time is longer, the abdomen exerts more force, and it is more time-consuming.

Although squatting theoretically helps defecation, it may not be an advantage for some elderly people, especially those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Because abdominal pressure increases when squatting and defecation is more laborious, cardiovascular accidents are prone to occur. The elderly have weak physical strength. If they stand up quickly after squatting for a long time, it is easy to induce transient cerebral ischemia caused by changing body positions, which may lead to dizziness, dizziness, falls, fractures and other accidents.