Sitting on the toilet for too long can cause a temporary numbness in the legs, but this symptom will soon improve. Let's find out the causes of numbness together with the author!
Why do our legs go numb when squatting on the toilet?
Actually, "numbness" is not a sensation itself.
It is a signal sent by the uncomfortable feeling nerves.
In other words, "numbness" is an abnormal sensation.
Our body sensations rely on the transmission between nerves and the brain. When we squat for a long time, we compress the nerves and blood vessels in our legs, resulting in ischemia and hypoxia!
In this case, how can nerves send signals to the brain?
The brain cannot receive signals from the legs, so it cannot give commands. As a result, your legs will experience numbness, as if they have lost sensation.
But when you stand up, the blood vessels and nerves are released, and you can feel normal again.
The blood can flow freely again, and the interrupted nerve signals can also recover.
How does the feeling of being numbed by Sichuan pepper differ from the feeling of numb legs when squatting?
The numbness caused by Sichuan pepper is related to the activation of nerves by chemical substances, while the numbness in the legs when squatting is mainly due to ischemia and hypoxia, leading to abnormal mechanical sensitive neurons.
The dangers of squatting on the toilet for too long
1. Constipation
Some people must use their phones while using the toilet, which results in spending 40 minutes squatting instead of the necessary 5 minutes.
Using a phone on the toilet is not a helper for defecation but an obstacle.
When your attention is distracted, defecation becomes difficult, leading to delayed or absent urge to defecate.
However, the urge to defecate is precious. Once missed, you never know when it will come again.
Suppressing the urge to defecate causes the conditioned reflex to disappear, which can lead to constipation.
2. Insufficient blood supply to the head and lower limbs
Squatting on the toilet for a long time causes blood to flow downward, which can easily lead to insufficient blood supply to the head and lower limbs. After squatting for a long time, even standing up suddenly can cause dizziness and a swollen head.
The circulation of blood is hindered, and this can lead to insufficient oxygen supply to cells. Blood can flow back, resulting in numbness in certain nerves, such as the legs.
3. Inducing hemorrhoids
Research has shown that prolonged squatting on the toilet can cause congestion in the rectal veins, leading to hemorrhoids.
4. "Invasion" of toxic gases
The toilet is a place where toxic substances can be present, so it is advisable to minimize exposure to them.
Sitting on the toilet creates an enclosed space between the body and toxic substances. Prolonged exposure can allow toxic gases to enter the body, which can lead to inflammation, such as chronic vaginitis, anal inflammation, and even gynecological tumors like cervical cancer.
