One place in the house is a high-risk area for sudden death

Research data confirms that approximately 235,000 people in the United States are sent to the emergency room each year due to accidents in the bathroom, and nearly 14% require hospitalization. In our country, toilets are the rescue locations most frequently visited by emergency personnel. So, what are the most common dangers in a small toilet? Today, we have compiled the six most common dangers in the toilet. Let’s take a look.

1. The six most common dangers in the toilet

Emergency situations such as chronic diseases triggering acute illnesses, accidental slips and falls, gas poisoning, electric shocks, etc. are very common in toilets. Especially some sudden illnesses can be fatal.

Danger 1: Getting dizzy from standing up too quickly

If patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases squat in the toilet for too long and stand up quickly after defecation, it is easy to induce transient cerebral ischemia, dizziness, blurred vision, and falls. The older the person is, the more likely they are to be injured. Experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point out that it is very dangerous for elderly people over 65 to sit down or leave the toilet too quickly, especially for those over 85, half of whom are injured while urinating or defecating. In addition, patients with hypertension have higher blood pressure in the morning, and many people have the habit of defecating right after getting up, so accidents are very likely to occur when going to the toilet.

Danger 2: Straining during bowel movements can lead to sudden death

When you hold your breath and defecate, the abdominal wall muscles and diaphragm contract strongly, which increases abdominal pressure. The sudden rise in blood pressure can lead to cerebral hemorrhage, and the increased myocardial oxygen consumption can induce angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and severe arrhythmias, both of which can cause sudden death.

Danger 3: It is easy to faint after holding urine

It can also be dangerous to urinate suddenly after holding your urine for too long. This is because it causes the vagus nerve to become overexcited, and at the same time the bladder empties too quickly, causing blood to flow downward, lowering blood pressure, slowing heart rate, and insufficient blood supply to the brain, thereby inducing urinary syncope. After fainting, if the patient does not receive timely treatment, his life is likely to be in danger.

Danger 4: High humidity in the shower affects blood supply to the brain

The toilet is an enclosed, oxygen-deficient environment. Staying in it for a long time can easily cause brain and heart hypoxia. Additionally, bathtub size, room temperature, and water temperature can cause blood pressure fluctuations. If the bathtub is small and deep, the water will put great pressure on the heart; if the bath water is too hot, it can easily induce cerebral hemorrhage; if you do not pay attention to keeping warm after bathing, the cold air will stimulate the skin, the blood vessels will constrict, and the blood pressure will rise.

Danger 5: Lots of water and slippery ground, falls are common

Generally speaking, the toilet is the most slippery place in the house. The accumulated water splashed after bathing or washing can cause people to fall if they are not careful. Research shows that the most common moment to slip in the bathroom is when stepping out of the bathtub or shower, accounting for 9.8% of the total injuries. Many elderly people are prone to fractures after falling. People who already have heart problems such as coronary heart disease may suffer angina pectoris due to sudden falls and require immediate emergency treatment.

Danger 6: More home appliances mean more hidden dangers

Some families place large household appliances in the toilet, such as washing machines and water heaters, which pose many safety hazards. For example, problems such as water leakage from the washing machine and aging of the electric water heater may cause leakage and electric shock accidents. Gas water heaters can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

2. Be more careful when going to the toilet

Experts remind people not to treat going to the toilet as a simple matter, but to be more careful, especially the elderly should pay special attention.

1. Squat and stand up slowly when going to the toilet

When middle-aged and elderly people defecate in the morning, they must move slowly, squatting down and standing up slowly. The elderly often suffer from arthritis, which often causes difficulty in squatting due to the destruction of the cartilage surface of the knee joint, so it is advisable to use a toilet. You can also consider installing handles around the toilet at home to make it easier for the elderly to sit up.

2. Be careful when straining to defecate

People with constipation problems, especially the elderly with high blood pressure, should consider using laxatives before going to the toilet and avoid straining too much when defecating. In addition, it is best not to hold your urine. If you hold it for too long, it is best for men not to urinate while standing, and do not urinate all at once. The movements must be slow and do not use force.

3. The bath water temperature should not be too hot

Don't take a bath for too long and ensure good ventilation. The temperature of bath water should be 42 degrees Celsius. Not too hot, so as to avoid dizziness, difficulty breathing, etc. caused by excessive temperature and humidity. Do not seek coolness either, and keep warm throughout the process.

4. It is best to separate wet and dry areas in the bathroom

The furnishings in the bathroom should be as simple as possible, with fewer obstacles and obstructions on the ground. It is best for the elderly not to use bathtubs because they have to lift one foot very high when entering the bathtub, which can make them fall easily. If you must use it, it is best to install a grab bar next to the bathtub or in the shower room, and it should also be equipped with a non-slip mat. After taking a shower, dry your feet and the bathroom floor immediately. The design of the bathroom is best to separate wet and dry areas. For families with elderly people, it is best to use non-slip slippers.

5. Avoid "overdue service" of electrical appliances

Household appliances in the bathroom should be purchased from trustworthy brands and not be used beyond their service life. If you find that the plastic shell of the washing machine has become lighter in color, makes too much noise, cannot rotate, or often leaks water; if the plastic hose connecting the water heater to the body has become hard, dark, and cracked, or if there are frequent switch failures or device ineffectiveness, they should be replaced in a timely manner. Ge Huan, deputy director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, reminds that the gas water heater at home must have a strong exhaust device, air circulation must be maintained, and the chimney must be checked regularly to ensure it is unobstructed. In addition, toilets should try to use sockets and switches with waterproof function.

6. It is best to open the toilet door outwards

It is best to design the toilet door as a swing door or sliding door that opens outwards. It is best to install a dual-purpose lock on the toilet door that can be opened from both inside and outside. A glass window can also be installed on the door so that if an elderly person is in danger, family members can check at any time.

7. Don’t lock the door when the elderly use the toilet

In past first aid experiences, we often encountered elderly people having accidents in the toilet. After the ambulance arrived, it took a long time to break into the room. Therefore, when the elderly enter the toilet, whether for defecation or bathing, do not lock the door, so that rescue can be facilitated if any problems occur.

8. Use less air freshener

Many people like to spray some air freshener or perfume in the toilet, but they don’t know that the volatile organic compounds in air fresheners may cause cancer. It is best to use natural materials to deodorize the toilet. Place lemon slices, pineapple peels and grapefruit peels on the toilet tank, or place an opened box of cooling oil slightly lower in the bathroom, all of which can have a deodorizing effect.