### The Unspoken Truths About Your Gut: What You Need to Know

Talking about bowel movements might be awkward for many, but it’s a crucial aspect of our health that often gets overlooked. Holding in bowel movements, for example, can increase your risk of developing hemorrhoids. As a second-generation gastroenterologist, I’ve been immersed in the world of gut health from a young age. My father, a celebrated gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, shared his fascination with the awe-inspiring workings of our digestive systems with me. It’s no wonder that I, too, found my calling in this field; we often bring lively discussions to dinner parties.

Although topics like bowel leakage, hemorrhoids, and wiping techniques might be considered taboo, openly discussing them is the first step toward normalizing our bodily functions. It’s completely fine if you don’t have a bowel movement every day—our bodies work in mysterious and varied ways.

Many readers have reached out with burning bathroom questions, and I'm here to provide some answers. For instance, our colons are usually most active within the first two hours of waking up, especially when stimulated by coffee, food, and exercise. So, if you have your morning coffee and breakfast and then rush to get to work, you might find yourself needing to use the bathroom once you arrive at the office.

While planning a cushion in your schedule to use the bathroom before heading out is ideal, it’s not always feasible. Your gastrointestinal tract reacts differently based on your diet—fiber-rich meals slow down the stomach's activity, whereas high-fat meals speed up your gut's pace. Interestingly, for about a third of individuals, coffee is a potent stimulator of colon contractions, triggering these contractions just minutes after drinking it, and sustaining that activity for about 30 minutes.

The gastro-colic reflex is believed to play a key role here. This reflex prompts the colon to contract and make room for new food, pushing anything remaining in the colon outward. This is why coffee, even decaffeinated, seems to have such a swift impact on bowel movements.

One common concern I get is about the use of bidets, particularly fears about water contamination. Rest assured, bidets have a stellar reputation for cleanliness. When installed correctly, the water for the bidet comes from a separate stream than the water filling the toilet bowl. This ensures that the spray is clean, and most bidets even include adjustable spray angles and pressures to avoid any unwanted splashing.

Some advanced bidet models also feature "self-cleaning" nozzles and built-in air dryers, elevating the hygiene experience further. This can be especially beneficial if you have external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, as these devices provide a gentle and hygienic cleaning method.

Hemorrhoids, whether internal or external, are common and should be examined by a doctor, particularly if there is rectal bleeding. For those experiencing changes in bowel movements, such as looser stools from a plant-based diet or watery diarrhea triggered by gluten, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to understand what is normal and what might require medical attention.

By dispelling the taboo around discussing bowel health, we can better understand our bodies and maintain our digestive health more effectively. Remember, your gut has a lot to tell you if you’re willing to listen.