Does it take you multiple trips to the restroom to get it all out? The Doctors are joined by proctologist Dr. David Rosenfeld to weigh in on a question from a viewer who is feeling a little down in the dumps about the amount of time spent in the bathroom.
"T-M-I alert! Why can't I empty my bowels in one go?" a concerned viewer writes.
Watch: Is It Normal to Go a Week without Pooping?
Dr. Rosenfeld says this is a common question among his patients, many of whom say they have numerous small bowel movements and are not able to empty it all in just one sitting. He goes on to explain that if someone has a feeling as though there is more waste which is not being expelled that it could be due to a hemorrhoid issue. He says if someone is having hemorrhoid issues it can cause the brain to think you have to poop due to a build-up of pressure in the anus. This can then cause someone to strain and make the hemorrhoid issue worse.
To combat this issue, Dr. Rosenfeld recommends these tips:
- Eat healthier including consuming plenty of bran and vegetables
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods and consider adding psyllium fiber to your diet -- which Dr. Rosenfeld calls "the ultimate regulator"
Watch: What Might the Color of Your Poop Mean?
He says these steps can lead to you having "the perfect poop, the one-and-done, the ghost poop," which is a bowel movement that requires little to no wiping (as if it was never even there!). He adds, "You will be amazed at the results."
