Taking longer than 20 seconds to pee could signal health issues, nurse warns
Most of us don’t think twice about how long we sit on the toilet for, but health experts have urged people to consider the ‘21 second rule’.
A team of physicists from Georgia Tech found that most mammals weighing more that 3kg empty their bladders in around 21 seconds.
The researchers claim that this time frame can be a helpful tool for humans when monitoring bladder habits.
Nurse practitioner Janis Miller, PhD, explained that if the length of time you go for a pee is longer or shorter than 20 seconds, then you’re either holding it in for too long, or going too frequently.
In an interview with Well and Good, she said: “If you find that you almost always pee for significantly less or more than 20 seconds, consider examining your bladder habits: Are you drinking too much water or not enough? Are you giving yourself enough bathroom breaks during the day?
“Or are you using the bathroom more than you need to because it’s the only private place in your house? Your answers can help you to tweak your bladder habits.”
Want the Daily Star's sexiest stories news straight to your inbox? Sign up to our daily Hot Topics newsletter HERE
The expert added that urine flow rates can signal health issues, including bladder stones, cystitis, and even prostate problems – so it is important to monitor your bathroom activity.
While doing your business seems like a hard thing to get wrong, we have also been warned by experts that squatting over a toilet seat may be doing more harm than good.
This practice may seem essential to avoid ‘droplets’ from the previous user, but the squatting technique can actually cause substantial damage to your body.
Dr Preethi Daniel said: “All that squatting and hovering we do to avoid touching the toilet seat, and the mad rush we are in to get out of the toilet cubicle are what can give us a urine infection.
“By not emptying your bladder completely, in a rush or if you are squatting, you are exposing your body to potentially harmful bacteria.”
Previous research has also shown that the squatting position can lead to health complications, including pelvic floor dysfunction.
Source: Read Full Article