Obesity comes with a whole set of problems. These problems are ones that only an obese person can truly understand. If you’re too fat, then wiping can be one of those problems. So, what can you do if you’re too fat to wipe? That’s what we’ll be talking about today.
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Being too fat to wipe
Let’s face it; wiping can be a nightmare for the obese. If you suffer from obesity, then you probably face this daily. However, if you’ve begun to put on some weight, it’s a different story. One day, you suddenly might realize that you can’t wipe yourself anymore. Your hands simply won’t reach.
So, what is the solution to this? If you can’t wipe while sitting down, then you can try standing up. There are various tools you can use to assist you as well. So, what will be the best option for you? Let’s try digging a bit deeper into this subject. That way, you’ll know what you should do.
Why Wipe?
If it’s too difficult to wipe, there can be temptations not to wipe at all. However, wiping is very important. Let’s see why it is always a good idea to wipe.
Parents teach their kids wiping at an early age. After all, it is an essential part of hygiene. But why is it so important? The reason is that there are several health benefits of wiping.
What happens if you don’t wipe
If you don’t wipe after poop, then the clothes will be soiled. And there will be a disgusting smell. Also, there is a chance of the poop leaking outside. So, you have to change clothes more frequently.
Not wiping can also cause itching. This is known as pruritus ani. So, there is inflammation of the surrounding skin and irritation. If you itch too much, it can lead to ulceration and bleeding.
There can be severe consequences as well if one doesn’t wipe properly. The gastrointestinal tract (food’s pathway) is home to many bacteria. Some of these bacteria are harmless, while others are gruesome. These bacteria are meant to stay inside the body.
However, if these bacteria get to other parts of the body, they can cause disease. This happens if you don’t wipe yourself. The bacteria in the poop remains in the skin surrounding your anus. With oxygen from outside, they can grow at a tremendous rate.
These bacteria can cause infection in the areas around the anus. This can manifest as boils, rash, or ulceration. In severe cases, there may be abscesses as well.
Related: Does oregano oil kill good bacteria?
Females have another issue – urinary tract infections. Even the harmless bacteria in the poop can be dangerous if it goes into the urinary tract. One of the most dangerous bacteria in your gut is Escherichia coli. This bacterium is always in the poop. However, it can cause severe urinary tract infection if wiping isn’t done right.
The ideal way of wiping
So, now you know why it is so important to wipe. Let’s talk about the ideal way to wipe. The best way to wipe is from front to back, not the other way around. This is more important for women. This can prevent the spread of infection from the anus to the vulva.
If it’s a solid stool, using just toilet paper is enough. Use plenty of toilet paper in this case. Gently scrub the bottom from front to back. Make sure not to be too forceful. This may cause tiny tears in the skin surrounding the anus.
However, if it’s a runny stool, it’s best to use a wet wipe. Using water or hand showers is better than using just toilet paper. You can also use a bidet if you can. Those are hygienic as well.
Related: What Do Yellow Balls in Stool Mean?
How to wipe your bottom if you can’t reach
But what if you’re too fat to wipe front to back? If you’re gaining weight, then it might happen suddenly. Wiping in an ideal way starts becoming more and more difficult. Then, one day, it’ll be impossible to wipe.
If that happens to you, then you’re not alone. Many obese people had the same problem. So, many methods have been developed to counter this problem. So, let’s see what the hygiene tips for the obese are:
Try standing up
If you wipe while sitting down, it may be difficult due to obesity. So, it may be time to stand up. Wiping while standing up is just as hygienic as doing it while sitting down. So changing the position can be a probable solution to your problem.
Using water
If standing up didn’t solve your problem, water might. You can use a hand shower or something similar to get the poop off. An excellent way to use water is to time your bowel movement with your showers. That way, you can easily clean yourself off while bathing.
Another revolutionary way of wiping is bidets. If you’re too fat to wipe, this can be the solution you’re looking for. Bidets spray water to clean your anal region instead of wiping. This method ensures more cleanliness and hygiene than traditional wiping.
Try DIY solutions
Some people put together something with stuff lying around to help to wipe. We don’t recommend you use any of these unless they’re safe. Because if wiping is done wrong, it can cause infection or damage.
Most of these solutions comprise a long handle. It can be anything plastic, wooden, or any other lightweight material. At its one end, wet wipes or toilet paper are attached. Moderate adhesives like Velcro are effective as well. This ensures that the wipes can be detached easily.
Wiping products
Another effective method is using hand extension tools or toilet wiping aids. These tools are made for the sole purpose of making wiping easier. If you’re too fat to wipe, this is the perfect solution. Since these things are made specifically for this reason, there are low chances of any harm.
Ordering a hand extension device online is very easy. You can find hundreds of such devices in popular online stores. Using these can make wiping from front to back easier, even if you’re obese.
Doesn’t this call for change?
Living a life of obesity is never easy. The severity of the problem dawns on you when you realize you can’t wipe. Being morbidly obese has severe health implications. Some of them are:
Cardiovascular diseases
Being morbidly obese increases the chance of developing heart disease. The vessels in your heart get obstructed by fat. So, less blood can go to the heart. Hence, the heart muscles don’t get enough food. This can lead to the death of heart cells.
The fat in the blood vessels can rupture. This leads to the formation of a blood clot in the heart. Due to this phenomenon, the blood supply to the heart can stop entirely. Thus, a heart attack occurs.
Related: Roller Coaster Feeling in Chest – Is my Heart at Risk?
The same thing can happen to the blood vessels of the brain. This leads to a lack of blood supply in the brain. The vessels may rupture as well, causing bleeding in the brain. Thus, a stroke ensues.
Bone diseases
Osteoarthritis can occur in obese people. Their body weight is too much for the bones and joints to handle. So, the bone density decreases. This leads to osteoarthritis.
The bone joints can also be inflamed because of the extra stress. So, joint issues can develop as well.
Diabetes Mellitus
Obese people have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this type of diabetes, the cells of the body are resistant to insulin. This can lead to bleeding disorders, neuropathy, vision loss, unconsciousness, coma, etc.
Reproductive problems
Issues related to the reproductive system are common complications of obesity. Obese women have higher rates of subfecundity, infertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy complications.
Sleep apnea
Sleeping disturbances happen among obese people. The absence of respiration during sleep or sleep apnea is perilous.
Other
Other complications include depression, stress incontinence, cancer, gallstones, etc.
How to tackle obesity
Getting rid of obesity is much easier said than done. And you can’t cure all types of obesity through lifestyle changes. Obesity caused by genetic diseases and metabolic abnormalities doesn’t go away.
However, you can control most cases of obesity through lifestyle changes. Below are some steps which can try to fix this problem.
Dietary change
Extreme dietary changes are essential to cure obesity. You should try to implement these changes slowly. However, you have to stick to these. Some general guidelines which you can follow:
- Count your calories. Calorie counting is an easy way of being aware of how much you eat. Set a feasible and realistic calorie goal. Calories are the reason why you gained all that weight. So, limiting calories can go a long way to reducing your weight.
- Reduce the amount of fat and carbs you take. These food items are the main culprit in the case of obesity.
- You should altogether avoid refined sugar. These can increase the risk of other diseases as well.
- Try taking more protein-containing food. They can help build muscle.
- When it comes to obesity, fruits and vegetables are your friends. These should comprise the majority of your diet. Incorporating greens in your regular diet will help dramatically with obesity.
- You can also try taking supplements. These products are aimed at reducing obesity.
Exercise
You should incorporate exercise regimens into your regular life. Exercising can increase your metabolism. So, you’re more likely to burn more calories.
You can try various aerobic and anaerobic exercises. However, it’s best to start small. But these changes should be permanent in your life.
Other lifestyle changes
You should also try cultivating other healthy lifestyle habits. They include:
- Drinking an appropriate amount of water every day.
- Getting plenty of sleep every night (7-9 hours).
- Refraining from alcohol and smoking.
- Leading a stress-free life.
- Eating slowly and chewing food properly.
Weight loss surgery
If you’re obese, it’s best to see a specialist. They can suggest the numerous options available. Doctors can perform several gastric bypass surgeries, bariatric surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric bands, and biliopancreatic diversions to treat obesity.
Several negative stigmas are surrounding these surgeries. However, if you’re a candidate for them, it’s best to perform them. They are incredibly effective and safe nowadays. They have a high rate of success with minimal adverse effects.
FAQ
What is the most hygienic way to wipe your bum?
The most hygienic way to wipe is from front to back. Toilet paper, wet wipes, etc., can be used.
How to wipe your bottom when you can’t reach it?
If you can’t reach them, you can use bidets, water, hand extension tools, etc.
Why does toilet paper take so much to wipe?
Toilet paper can take so much to wipe if you’re not done pooping. It can also happen if your poop is runny and soft.
What happens if you don’t wipe your bum?
You risk getting infection, pruritus, ulceration, abscess if you don’t wipe your bum.
Conclusion
If you’re too fat to wipe, you have several options. You can try using bidets, water, hand extension tools, etc. However, obesity brings with it several other problems. So, not being able to wipe is an indication that you should try changing your lifestyle.
