Medical expert warns of risks from delaying bowel movements

Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist and lecturer at Harvard Medical School, warns against the habit of regularly delaying bowel movements due to a lack of suitable public restroom facilities.

When an individual ignores the urge to use the bathroom, the large intestine continues its function of absorbing water. This process causes stool to become harder, drier, and more difficult to pass by the time the person finally seeks relief. Furthermore, ignoring natural signals can lead to missing the body's most optimal digestive windows, which often occur shortly after waking or eating.