Latest news with #DrPunamKrishan
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Top NHS GP reveals why spending too long on the toilet 'doom scrolling' can be disastrous for your health
Smartphone-loving Britons are so attached to the devices that 60 per cent of us admit to using them while sitting on the toilet. But scrolling on the loo for minutes on end could trigger a host of health problems, one top NHS GP has warned. According to Dr Punam Krishan, who appears on BBC Morning Live, these include haemorrhoids, also known as piles, a weakened pelvic floor—triggering continence issues—and, in extreme cases, lead to a painful condition called rectal prolapse. Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the back passage that can cause itching, discomfort, bleeding, and a persistent feeling of needing to pass stool. Though often dismissed as minor or embarrassing, haemorrhoids are extremely common—affecting an estimated one in three adults in the UK at some point. And the increase in prolonged toilet sitting, often coupled with mobile phone use, is quietly contributing to a rise in cases, Dr Krishnan said. In an Instagram video posted to her 100,000 plus followers the resident doctor on BBC Morning Live said sitting on the loo for too long 'puts constant pressure on veins' and tissues of the lower rectum. Over time, this can lead to the swelling and inflammation that characterise haemorrhoids. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Punam Krishan (@drpunamkrishan) In some cases, the pressure may also contribute to the weakening of muscles that support the rectum and anus, setting the stage for more serious complications. One of these is rectal prolapse, a condition in which the rectum becomes stretched and begins to protrude from the anus, she said. While less common, rectal prolapse is far more serious and often requires surgical intervention. She added: 'Long sitting spells actually slows down the flood flow to the leg. Over time that can increase your risk of developing varicose vein.' It is also 'really bad' for your pelvic floor as 'straining on the toilet put pressure on your deep muscles that support your bladder and your bowel,' she said. 'In loads of countries people still squat to poo and there is a really good reason for doing that. 'Squatting naturally lines everything up. It changes the angle between your bowel and your bum so it is easier to go without having to strain. 'And actually in places where squatting is still the norm, people tend to have fewer problems with piles and constipation.' She added: 'When you go to the toilet, do your business, wash your hands and get out. Aim to keep it under ten minutes.' Although there is no universally agreed 'safe' length of time to spend on the toilet, most gastroenterologists agree that if a bowel movement doesn't happen within five to ten minutes, it's best to get up, move around and try again later. Going for a short walk or gently moving the body can help stimulate bowel motility more naturally, without the need to strain. Dietary habits also play a role. Low-fibre diets, dehydration and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to constipation and harder stools, which increase the likelihood of straining. Doctors recommend eating more fibre-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans and whole grains, as well as drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Physical activity, even just light daily movement, can also improve digestion and reduce the chances of constipation.
The Independent
05-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
TV doctor shares the questions every man over 60 must ask their GP
Growing older comes with its challenges, and for many, seeking medical help for age-related issues often takes a backseat. Research from men's healthcare company Numan reveals that nearly two-fifths of men avoid going to the doctor due to appointment difficulties, while 31 per cent hesitate to seek help to avoid causing a fuss. The NHS offers a Health Check every five years for those aged 40 to 74 without pre-existing conditions. Regardless of age, it's crucial to consult a GP promptly for issues like poor sleep, unexplained weight loss, loneliness, persistent pain, high stress, low energy, and a diminished interest in usual activities. But there are many questions older men may have including about asking about aches, conditions that their father had that they could be diagnosed with, or struggling to get an erection. Dr. Punam Krishan, a regular on BBC Morning Live, advises regular check-ins, especially after 40 or 50, noting men's tendency to ignore or push through changes. "Men are a bit more likely to just ignore things or try to push through changes, and that's why we do encourage – especially after the age of 40, 50 – to have a regular check-in," says Dr Punam Krishan, who makes regular appearances on BBC Morning Live and competed on last year's Strictly Come Dancing. According to Dr. Punam Krishan, there are also questions you should specifically ask your GP when you are in your 60s: 'Is this just natural ageing? Or is something else going on?' 'Once we reach our 60s, the most important thing to do is not dismiss the changes in our bodies as just getting older,' says Krishan, a health expert for Stannah. ' One of the biggest things I encourage people to talk to their GP about is mobility. Are you finding stairs harder? Are you walking more slowly? Are you in pain? Are you needing to steady yourself on furniture around the house? 'Maybe you're avoiding carrying laundry. Are you being a bit more careful when the weather is bad? These might seem like small, insignificant things, but actually, often they're early signs your body's having to work harder.' There may even be a simple fix that could save you a lot of stress. 'Prevention is better than cure. There's a lot we can do to improve strength, balance and your confidence, especially if we can catch things earlier,' says Krishan. 'It might be that we need to refer you to physio, or think about supportive aids or occupational therapy. Sometimes it might be adapting things around the house.' 'I keep forgetting things – is it dementia?' We all misplace our keys sometimes, or forget why we walked into a room, but if you are concerned that you're becoming increasingly forgetful, or if loved ones have mentioned it, speak to your GP. 'Memory issues are always worth bringing up,' says Krishan. Family history can help flag your risk of diabetes and some cancers. 'If you saw your parents struggle with certain things in their 60s or 70s, it's worth being proactive and talking to your doctor about how to stay ahead of those changes,' encourages Krishan. 'I'm peeing more in the night/struggling to pee – should I be worried?' ' One of the most common issues I see in men is urinary symptoms, so getting up during the night, a slower stream, or needing to go more often. 'These can be a sign of prostate enlargement, which is a very normal manifestation for men as they get older,' says Krishan. 'Once we've diagnosed them, they're actually very easy to treat.' These symptoms can also be related to prostate cancer, so should always be checked out. 'I can't seem to get or keep an erection – what's going on?' 'Men really feel embarrassed about coming forward and speaking about erectile dysfunction, but it can have a huge impact on your relationships, your self-confidence, the way you show up in the world, and can actually be a trigger for anxiety and depression as well,' says Krishan. There are treatment options for ED, from medication to devices that may help. She adds: 'As men get older, problems down below are very common.' ' Heart health is an important area for men, so asking to have your blood pressure checked as a one-off would be great. You can ask your pharmacist,' says Krishan. 'All those kind of 'well man' things, like getting your height, weight and blood pressure measured, to look at your BMI and see, 'Is it high?' can be done at the pharmacist.' She says we often forget how important our eyes are too. 'Make sure you get your sight tested annually, because vision can be affected [by certain conditions],' explains Krishan. 'Cataracts are something that happens to us as we get older, but your optician's brilliant. People tend to think opticians are just for a vision check, but that's not the case. They can look for things like if there's any blood pressure-related changes. 'High blood pressure is a silent killer, and it can show up with changes at the back of the eye, which often opticians will pick up and say, 'Oh, I think you need to go to your doctor and get that looked at.' And it could be the early signs of cardiovascular disease, or even early signs of diabetes. Opticians are brilliant at picking those up.' Trying to secure a GP appointment during the 8am scrum can feel impossible sometimes, and other times you may put off calling because you're worried about putting your GP under unnecessary pressure – but don't. 'You are absolutely not a burden,' says Krishan, noting that systemic pressures on the NHS shouldn't 'impact the individual care that you need and deserve'. She says: 'The pressure on doctors is real, but if you are worried about a health problem, we want to see you. We want to be able to get to you, because actually, getting to you earlier means there's fewer complications later down the line, which is beneficial for both the patient and your healthcare workers.' And don't be embarrassed 'There's nothing ever to be embarrassed about,' says Krishan. 'Older generations especially worry about fear, embarrassment, shame, burdening the doctor and I would say, that is not an issue for us at all. There's nothing we've never seen or heard before. Our job is there to help you feel better. So don't put off that call if something's niggling you.' While it's not exactly a forum for general health questions, A&E is always open and there for acute things, be it sudden onset chest pain, then that's straight to the hospital. 'If you feel like you've got any problems with facial drooping, weakness in any part of your body, if you've got speech problems, anything like that, then it's urgent, go to A&E,' says Krishan. 'If you think, 'This cannot wait and I am feeling very unwell,' take that as a serious sign and call NHS 111 or 999.'
