Doctors warn against prolonged toilet time due to health risks
New Delhi: Health experts are urging the public to limit time spent on the toilet, cautioning that prolonged sessions can lead to health issues such as haemorrhoids and weakened pelvic muscles. With many individuals using their phones in the bathroom, what begins as a quick break can easily extend into 15 minutes of scrolling.
Colorectal surgeon Dr. Lai Xue from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center reported seeing a pattern of bathroom-related health complaints among patients. He noted that sitting on a toilet seat places the body in a vulnerable position, increasing the strain on the pelvic floor and potentially leading to conditions like rectal prolapse.
The design of the toilet seat and the seated position can impair blood flow from the rectum, causing swollen blood vessels and heightened risk of haemorrhoids. Dr. Farah Monzur, an assistant professor at Stony Brook Medicine, advised limiting bathroom time and keeping distractions like phones out of the bathroom to avoid unintentional straining.
Additionally, Dr. Lance Uradomo, an interventional gastroenterologist at City of Hope Orange County, recommended keeping toilet sessions brief, suggesting individuals adopt a "quick approach" and avoid making bathroom visits a prolonged activity.
For those experiencing constipation, Dr. Xue suggested alternatives such as gentle movement, adequate hydration, and a high-fibre diet. Extended toilet sessions may also indicate underlying health conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or even colon cancer, if constipation persists for more than three weeks.
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Bharat Bandh today: Nationwide strike disrupts services as over 25 cr workers protest govt policies
New Delhi: A nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh called by ten central trade unions is underway today, with over 25 crore workers from both organised and unorganised sectors participating. The strike, which is also supported by several rural and agricultural labour organisations, is a protest against the central government’s economic and labour policies, which unions claim favour corporates at the cost of workers, farmers, and the poor.
Key demands of protesters:
► Withdrawal of the new labour codes,
► Increase in minimum wages,
► Creation of more government jobs,
► Hike in MGNREGA wages and workdays,
► A similar urban employment guarantee scheme,
► End to hiring retired officials over younger professionals in government departments.
A 17-point charter of demands has been submitted to the Union Labour Ministry, but union leaders allege no meaningful engagement has been initiated by the government so far.
Disruptions reported:
While banks, stock markets, and government offices are functioning as usual, disruptions are being reported in public transport across several states:
West Bengal: Protesters blocked railway tracks at Jadavpur railway station despite police deployment. Bus services continued amid high security, with some drivers seen wearing helmets as a safety measure.
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and parts of Delhi and Maharashtra reported sporadic disruptions in bus and train services.
Schools and colleges remain open in most places, though some institutions announced last-minute closures depending on local conditions.
Unions leading the strike:
The strike is being spearheaded by major trade unions including: INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, SEWA, AIUTUC, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC, and TUCC.
The new labour laws, a major flashpoint, have drawn flak for allegedly weakening worker protections. Union leaders say the changes:
► Extend working hours,
► Restrict the right to strike,
► Undermine collective bargaining.
The unions have also criticised the trend of hiring retired officials instead of young jobseekers. With 65% of India's population under the age of 35, they argue that ignoring youth employment in sectors like Railways, steel, and education is both unjust and economically damaging.
This is not the first large-scale strike organised by the trade unions. Similar nationwide protests were held on:
November 26, 2020,
March 28–29, 2022,
February 16, 2024.
All of them focused on issues like the privatisation of PSUs, job insecurity, and the casualisation of the workforce.
