Squatty Potty Blog
Addressing Having to Poop When You’re Running or Walking
Have you ever had to poop when you’re out running or walking in an area where you couldn’t get to a restroom, porta-potty, or even a friend’s house? You’re not alone, as many runners and walkers have. Even the most seasoned of runners aren’t immune from soiling themselves during a race or training run — an incredibly gross and humiliating experience! In fact, at the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio, the current world-record holder for the 50 km walk race, Yohann Diniz of France, ‘had to go’ during the 50 km competition, an experience that ultimately contributed to him passing out near the 30 km mark, before finishing 8th overall in the race. Needing to go is also a very common experience as evidenced by a host of articles and online discussions about the topic and by the terms for describing it — runner’s trots and runner’s diarrhea (in extreme instances) and poop walk (where you squeeze your cheeks together and shuffle to “hold it in”). According to one review in The International SportMed Journal, various studies have shown that 30 to 83 percent of runners reported experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) distress, which can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and even acid reflux while running. Another study found 93 percent of long-distance triathletes competing in extreme conditions experienced at least one symptom of GI distress. If we all pooped like unicorns, there wouldn’t be a problem. Nobody could possibly be offended by sweet tasting, rainbow-colored poop. Unfortunately, human poop isn’t as enticing. Exploring the causes Numerous factors are thought to contribute to gastrointestinal (GI) distress during periods of intense and extended physical activity, including the following: The physical jostling of internal organs and undigested food and liquids Decreased blood flow to the intestines as the body diverts blood from the intestines to the muscles being used to run or walk, leading to poor digestion and absorption Increased motility (muscle contraction in the GI tract) as exercise stimulates all muscles in your body Increased production of stress hormones and cytokines (inflammatory proteins), particularly prior to a race Increased mucosal permeability, leading to the contents of the GI tract leaking out into the rest of the body All of these factors contribute to looser stools and increased motility, which can result in an incontrollable urge to poop. And if you’re not at a convenient location to drop your runners shorts, and you don’t have some toilet paper to clean up afterwards, the added stress can make the problem even worse. Considering possible solutions Neither pooping your pants nor dropping your drawers outdoors is a pleasant experience, so how do you deal with the issue? Some runners recommend taking an antidiarrheal, such as Imodium, to plug themselves up prior to a run or race, an approach we don’t recommend. Running dehydrates you, which can contribute to constipation. Taking something like an antidiarrheal to harden your stools will exacerbate the problem. Try the solutions listed below instead, and then consult your doctor if you continue to have an overwhelming urge to poop that’s impairing your ability to perform at your best: Coordinate your poops and runs. Try to get on a regular schedule of eating, sleeping, running, and pooping. Regulating your diet and routines helps your body maintain a predictable pattern, and you’ll be less likely to get caught with your pants down. Time your meals. Stop eating three hours before you run or walk to give your body time to digest your food and possibly eliminate some waste. If you’re like most people, you tend to poop shortly after eating as your body tries to make room for more food. Be aware when taking NSAIDs, including aspirin and ibuprofen. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) tend to increase mucosal permeability, contributing to GI distress. Watch your diet. Fat, fiber, chocolate, and sweets are all associated with GI distress while running. Avoid fatty, high-calorie meals at least three hours before a workout or race. Pack toilet paper. Stuff some toilet paper in a pocket or elsewhere. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Plan your route. You can’t do this during a race, but when you’re mapping you training or recreational route, trace a path that includes possible poop stops — restaurants, gas stations, the local library, friends’ houses, wooded lots, and so on, where you can poop in private. Alternatively, consider taking a warm-up jog near your home, so you can do your business before setting out on a longer run. Eliminate more completely prior to a run. Using a Squatty Potty stool, you can eliminate waste more completely prior to a run, thus reducing the amount of unpassed stool in your poop chute. And about that rainbow-colored unicorn poop mentioned at the outset of today’s post…Squatty Potty is now a proud sponsor of The Color Run, “the Happiest 5K on the Planet” — a unique paint race that celebrates health, happiness, and individuality. It’s the largest running series in the world, experienced by over six million runners in more than 35 countries around the globe. While you may not be able to poop rainbows, you will earn the Unicorn Medal upon completion of eight select Color Run races across the United States. For more info, visit: TheColorRun.com and look for the Squatty Potty logo on select 2017 Color Run race listings. – – – – – – – – Disclaimer: This blog post, which touches on issues related to gastrointestinal distress while engaged in running and/or walking activities, provides general information and discussion about medical issues and health-related subject matter. The words and other content provided in this post, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If you or any other person has a medical concern, consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care professional immediately and do not rely on the information presented in this post. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog post or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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Pinching a Loaf and Other Poophemisms
In polite company, we often use euphemisms (nice ways of saying something) when discussing sensitive subjects, such as death and sex. Loved ones don’t die; they “pass away.” The neighbors may be having sex with the windows open, but we prefer to say they’re “doing it.” Along those lines, one of the most uncomfortable subjects to discuss is the elimination of solid waste from the human body — what we at Squatty Potty politely refer to as “pooping.” Because pooping is so common, and poop is so gross, it has become the butt of many jokes and puns and has inspired perhaps the largest collection of euphemisms related to any sensitive subject. You can find plenty of poop euphemism lists online. There’s even a book devoted to such euphemisms cleverly titled Poophemisms: Over 1737 Fun Ways To Talk About Taking a Poop. In the spirit of maintaining an accurate archive, here are 60 of our favorites: Baking a loaf Baking brownies Building a log cabin Busting a grumpy Catching up on some reading Communing with nature Crowning Decorating the Oval Office Delivering a load Dirty bombing Dropping a biscuit in the basket Dropping a bomb/brick Dropping a duke Dropping anchor Dropping the kids off at the pool (note: there are both public and private pools) Evacuating the building Feeding the fish Going number two Greeting Mr. Hankey Growing a monkey tail Gotta go Having the squirts Heaving a Havana Killing the cobra Launching the torpedoes Laying cable Laying down some wolf bait Laying pipe Leaving a floater Letting loose Letting the dogs/hounds out Logging out Making a deposit at the porcelain bank Making fudge Making room for dessert Making sausage Making stinky Needing some alone time Opening the gates Paying off a loan Pinching a loaf Planting corn Prairie dogging Releasing the beast Releasing the hounds Releasing the Kraken Ripping a deuce Rolling a nut log Sawing logs Seeing a man about a horse Shooting the Hershey squirts Sinking the Bismarck Squeezing one out Stocking the pond Taking a load off your mind Taking the Browns to the Super Bowl Taking a dump Taking a seat on the porcelain throne Taking it to the hoop (Our personal favorite) Mind if I try your Squatty Potty?
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The unexpected side-effect of Autism and how the Squatty Potty helps
To date, studies show that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism. Autism is referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD and is a developmental disability that can cause a range of mild to severe social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is no “look to autism,” but behaviors, social skills and communication can be markedly different in people with ASD than people without the disorder. Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders vary- and one symptom that parents tend to focus on are the GI issues that can come with an autism diagnosis. Many children with autism suffer from issues involving the gut and their bowel movements (or lack thereof!) Constipation tends to be a common issue in the Autism Community and a common discussion amongst parents- parents that are always trying to find tools that help! Studies from Autism Speaks, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “recently found that children with autism are more than 3.5 times more likely to suffer chronic diarrhea or constipation than are their normally developing peers. Other researchers have found a strong link between GI symptoms and autism severity in children. Some experts have even proposed that toxins produced by abnormal gut bacteria may trigger or worsen autism in some children.”According to renowned pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Timothy Buie at Massachusetts General Hospital, some behavioral signs of GI discomfort in ASD include: Tapping chin Excessive coughing Applying pressure on the abdomen (lying over arms of couch) Chewing of clothes (can also be teething/sensory seeking behavior) Feeding/eating disorders Excessively chewing food or food refusal (difficulty swallowing due to inflammation or eosinophilic gastroenteritis-may be painful to swallow) Hitting/fisting the jaw Sleep disturbances Eating to relieve discomfort Behavior changes, especially self-injurious, aggressive or mouthing behaviors Toileting and potty training can be a difficult thing to teach, even with typical developing children. Kids with autism have unique issues that can arise. Many of our kids have sensory issues that hinder a smooth transition to potty training- they don’t like the bright lights in the bathroom, the echo-sounds of running water, the dangling of their feet from a large, hard toilet. Many kids with autism have rigid diets, causing constipation and encopresis which in turn causes pain, making toileting a scary and painful experience. Communication can be limited and as parents we have to set a toileting routine. When we realized that our children had some of these “gut issues,” we started doing some research. As parents, we sought out information to help our kids with this very real problem. We looked to The Thompson Center for Autism in Columbia, MO and found a tool-kit produced in the ATN/Autism Speaks partnership and found many useful suggestions and ideas. In the process, we saw the Squatty Potty on a favorite show, Shark Tank, and thought, maybe it could help! We ordered two and now, it is an integral tool in our bathrooms- it helped our son feel more comfortable in his toileting routine and helped our older daughter deal with painful constipation as a young child. Our goal at Ella’s Hope for Autism, our non-profit helping families and organizations, and Autism Support Now Behavioral Services, our agency providing therapies to individuals aged 2-18, has always been to help educate and advocate for families that are affected with autism. Our mission is to promote autism awareness and support families affected by autism spectrum disorders. We are committed to funding programs and organizations that provide early intervention services and therapies, family support, education, advocacy and opportunities with the purpose of improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families. We offer support to organizations that provide services for children with autism and to organizations that conduct research on the causes and effects of autism. To find out more information, please visit us at http://ellashope.org/donate-now/ and http://autismsupportnow.com/ Bio information: Hope McPheeters is the Executive Director of Ella’s Hope for Autism, a 501c3 non-profit helping families across Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. She volunteers as the Parent and Community Specialist for Autism Support Now Behavioral Services and advocates for individuals through local school districts and organizations. She lives in Kansas City, with her husband and two children, who are both on the autism spectrum.
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