Compared to the squat toilet, the toilet seat tends to be more comfortable to use. However, from a health perspective, it is advisable to defecate in a squat toilet.
Squat toilets and sitting toilets are two types of toilets that are commonly used. In fact, the type of toilet used not only affects the position of the user's bowel movements, but also the health and smoothness of our bowel movements. you know!
Toilet Seat Advantages and Disadvantages
The toilet seat has a more modern and luxurious model and design. This type of toilet is also considered more comfortable to use for some people, such as the elderly, women who are heavily pregnant, or people with knee injuries.
However, the price of the toilet seat does tend to be more expensive than the squat toilet. Defecation using the toilet seat is also considered to be no healthier than traditional toilets or squat toilets.
Based on research, defecating using a sitting toilet takes a longer time and more energy when compared to a squat toilet. In fact, pushing too hard during bowel movements and or sitting too long on the toilet seat can increase the risk of a number of diseases, such as hemorrhoids and constipation.
In addition, the use of a sitting toilet increases a person's risk of contracting diseases such as diarrhea, flu, and skin infections. This is because the toilet seat requires direct contact with the surface of the toilet seat which is prone to becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, such as E. coli and Shigella, or hepatitis A virus and norovirus that causes diarrhea.
Weaknesses and Advantages of Squat Toilets
Compared to sitting toilets, squat toilets do have disadvantages in terms of appearance, namely:
- The model is ancient.
- Considered less comfortable to use. Squatting during bowel movements can cause complaints of pain in the heels and thighs.
- Not suitable for use by people who have problems with the ankles, such as people with arthritis, sprains, fractures, and tendonitis.
But behind the drawbacks, using a squat toilet has many advantages in terms of health. A number of studies and medical studies say that the squatting position during defecation is more effective in launching the defecation process. This is closely related to muscle performance and posture that supports the defecation process.
The squatting position optimizes the space for excreting feces in the anus while relaxing the muscles in the anus and large intestine. It also becomes easier to defecate and helps maximize stool expenditure.
Conversely, in a sitting position, the gastrointestinal muscles will press the rectum and constrict the anal canal. This hinders the smoothness of defecation and maximum expulsion of feces. In addition, the squat toilet is also good for pregnant women because it can maintain the strength of the pelvic muscles.
Other studies have shown that using a squat toilet or squatting position can help maintain bowel movements, thereby preventing bloating, constipation, and hemorrhoids.
Squat Toilet or Sitting Toilet?
Based on expert studies regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of toilets, the use of squat toilets for defecation is more recommended than sitting toilets.
What if you have a toilet seat installed at home? Need to be disassembled and reassembled with a squat toilet? No need. Just buy a short stool or bench to put under your feet when you defecate. This squatting-like position will relax the intestinal muscles, and make the passage of feces more spacious.
Seeing the advantages and disadvantages of each type of toilet, you can choose according to your conditions. Regardless of the use of the two types of toilets, if you experience difficulty in defecating or you see blood in your stool, immediately consult a doctor for treatment.
