Making animal noises in the toilet can actually help you poop

You can breathe easy with this pooping pointer.

“If you suffer from constipation and straining, then this is a poop trick that actually works,” Dr. Karan Rangarajanalso known as Dr. Karan Rajan, recently said on TikTok.

Rangarajan suggests three “softer” forms of Valsalva maneuver, a breathing exercise that involves exhaling forcefully while the mouth and nose are closed, increasing pressure in the chest and abdomen. The added intra-abdominal pressure helps the stool move through the colon.

Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Raj, recently suggested three moves that can prevent constipation and straining to go to the bathroom. Rangarajan wears a gold shirt with red spots as he talks to his TikTok followers about poop. — Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Rajan, recently suggested three moves that can prevent constipation and straining to go to the bathroom. @dr.karanr/TikTok

“You control the exhalation phase of the breath, which activates your vagus nerve,” Rangarajan said. “That means more wave-like contractions of your intestines and a good poop arriving in the toilet near you.”

The vagus nerve, which is the longest cranial nerve, plays a crucial role in vital functions like breathing, heart rate and digestion.

The nerve is also the key element of gut-brain axisthe complex network of nerves that connect the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system.

Rangarajan said that although the three diaphragmatic breathing techniques seem “silly,” they can strengthen the gut-brain connection.

“This helps you avoid straining by ensuring your pelvic floor muscles are better coordinated, both in contraction and relaxation,” added Rangarajan. “And your rectum will thank you later when you don’t have hemorrhoids.”

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum. They may present with bleeding, itching and pain and may include constipation, diarrhea, straining during bowel movements and prolonged sitting on the toilet.

According to Kelly Peterson, pelvic, visceral and orthopedic physiotherapist, known as “the belly whisperer”, noted that blowing bubbles can help you poop without straining or pushing, Rangarajan said pretending to blow bubbles or blow out a candle or make an elongated mooing sound that sounds like an “excited cow” should do the job. ‘affair.

“I’m surprised this isn’t common knowledge,” Rangarajan told his 5.3 million TikTok followers.

Make a long mooing sound that sounds like a "excited cow" can help you poop. Here, a brown and white cow with a yellow tag on her right ear is mooing. — Making an elongated mooing sound that sounds like an “excited cow” can help you poop, according to Dr. Karan Rajan. Floyd – stock.adobe.com

TikTok users were extremely divided in the comments.

“I tried the mooing sound. Not a good option in the office bathroom,” one person wrote.

“I tried this trick this morning and it really worked! No more tension for me. Who knew blowing bubbles could be so useful? » another shared.

“Blowing your nose while sitting on the toilet also does the same thing,” advised a third.