10 Ways You Never Knew You Were Using the Toilet Wrong

You sit too long…

It’s quiet in the bathroom. You can actually lock the door and sit uninterrupted with a magazine, book or, more likely, a smart phone. But you really need to find another spot for a little “me time.” Sitting perched in that position too long puts extra stress on the veins in the lowest part of your rectum; if those veins swell or bulge, it’s “hello, hemorrhoids.” In many cases hemorrhoids usually clear up within a week, but in the meantime, can be itchy, uncomfortable, and are the most common cause of rectal bleeding. Try these home remedies for hemorrhoids to help relieve symptoms. But if you see any bright red spots on your stool or toilet paper after you wipe, talk to your doctor to make sure the bleeding isn’t a symptom of colon cancer or another serious condition (here are some other symptoms of colon cancer to watch for). He or she may also suggest over-the-counter creams or ointments to treat persistent and painful hemorrhoids.

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