Prioritise Poo

​Yes, you heard me. Prioritising a poo or bowel motion is important for both adults and children.
 
My view point as a pelvic health physio is that EVERYBODY should be have a SOFT, DAILY poo.
 
Here are some non-negotiables to getting to soft, daily Poos:

1. ALWAYS RESPOND to the urge to poo. So yes, there are times when it is not possible. But the danger with that, especially with kids, is that the holding results in poo sitting for too long and then poo gets hard and that can be uncomfortable. So when you get the urge to go, PRIORITSE getting to a toilet so you don’t defer more than 15 min. TIP: the bowel loves routine and is most active in the morning, so getting it into a suitable routine for you will eliminate visits to unwanted toilets.
2. Drink enough water. Its simple- water helps to keep the poo soft. The science: As poo moves through the large intestine, water is re-absorbed from the mush and sent back to the body which results in a more solid poo. So if we hold poo in for too long, more water gets reabsorbed into the body, making your poo hard. Drinking more water means you have enough for your body and your poo. TIP: If you are using products like Movicol, Pegicol, Lacson or Duphalac- these products are like magnets and draw water into the colon to keep the poo soft. So for it to be effective, you need to up your water intake!
3. Good toilet posture and breathing are essential for complete and easy defeacation. We all know the feeling of having a good poo vs a poo that’s there and doesn’t want to come out. Our bodies are made to poo easily, but we often just need to re-learn it. Squatting is the most natural position- think of babies that often poo when playing in a squat position. We replicate that on the loo by using a foot step. This is essential for EVERY BODY not just kids and women. Let’s get to a place where we normalise a foot step in every toilet. Get my poop guide here. Tip: Use a foot stool whether you are an adult or a child.
4. Nerves matter. When we are stressed or anxious about anything- Poo is no longer a priority. Getting out of danger or stress is= Enter sympathetic nervous system who responds to stress. We need to be calm and chilled for our nervous system to feel safe and prioritise poo and pee and digestion= Enter parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for calm. So for good poos, lets pay attention to our stress and anxiety- the less we have, the better we poo and we all know that when we poo good, we feel good. TIP: Make a ‘safe cave’ in your toilet and work on a routine so that so that you can have a daily, good poo.

 
(Link to other blogs about knowing your poo, Happy poo and correct toilet position)