Image Credit: Canva
We've all been there, you use the toilet, try to stand up, and suddenly your legs go numb. That odd pins-and-needles feeling can be surprising and uncomfortable. Though it might feel like a small inconvenience, it does have a scientific explanation. The numbness, also called transient paresthesia, happens when pressure blocks blood flow or presses on nerves in your lower extremities. It is normally harmless, but frequent occurrences can be signs of underlying health issues or poor toilet habits that must be addressed.
That weird numbness you experience after going to the bathroom is typically just a temporary annoyance, most often due to bad posture, straining, or sitting for an extended period. But if the numbness continues or gets worse, it is important to get medical guidance to make sure there are no underlying health issues. We discovered the top three reasons that could be responsible for this tingling and how can you avoid it? Let's dissect.
Struggling to push during a bowel movement can put excessive pressure on your abdomen and spine. This increased pressure can shift spinal discs, pressing against nerves that extend into your legs and feet. The result? A temporary loss of sensation, tingling, or weakness in your lower limbs.
Straining usually results from constipation, which in turn can be caused by a low-fiber diet, dehydration, or inactivity. If you notice that you're straining frequently, perhaps it's time to change your eating and drinking habits to help move your bowels more easily.
The way you sit on the toilet can also be a cause of that numbness in your legs. Most people are prone to hunching over when they are using their phones, reading, or just focusing too intensely. But this position can compress nerves and blood vessels in your pelvis, causing tingling or numbness.
When you sit slumped forward, you cut off blood supply to the lower half of your body, compressing nerves that travel from your pelvis to your toes. That's why the numbness will often radiate past your thighs and into your toes.
Also Read: NYC Legionnaires Disease Outbreak 2025: 108 Cases, 5 Deaths in Harlem - Latest Updates & Safety Info
The more time you spend sitting on the toilet, the higher your chance of getting numb legs. Protracted sitting continually puts pressure on the nerves within your lower limbs, slowing blood flow and leaving you with the familiar pins-and-needles feeling.
If you habitually stay on the toilet for a long time, either from digestive problems or distractions such as browsing your phone, you may find that there is more numbness over the course of time. If constipation is leaving you on the toilet longer than normal, diet changes can calm your system.
Although periodic tingling is not a health issue, recurring numbness is a problem that needs to be addressed. Below are some professional-recommended ways of preventing it:
Being seated with your knees higher than your hips can make all the difference. Sitting this way enables your colon to unwind, facilitating smooth bowel movements while minimizing pressure on the lower parts of your body.
Don't slouch, as this squishes nerves and blood vessels, making numbness more likely. If necessary, lean your back against the toilet tank or wall to keep your posture good.
Specialists recommend five to ten minutes of toilet time per visit. If you are straining, stand up, walk around, and try later. Forcing the bowel movement can cause more damage than benefit, putting greater pressure on your spine and worsening numbness.
If constipation is a chronic problem, being hydrated and consuming fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can get your digestive system back in working order.
Raising your feet using a toilet stool may position your body for a more natural and strain-free bowel movement. A squatting position keeps the rectal canal open, minimizing the need to push and reducing the risk of leg numbness.
Hard toilet seats can restrict circulation in your lower body, increasing the risk of numbness. A cushioned or padded toilet seat can provide better support, improving blood flow to the legs and feet while reducing pressure on the pelvis.
While it's normal to have some numbness in your legs from time to time when sitting on the toilet, ongoing tingling or numbness in your lower extremities may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. If you find yourself experiencing:
It's best to see a healthcare expert to exclude conditions such as nerve compression, circulatory disorder, or spinal condition.
Credit: WHO
For the first time, the number of centenarians in Japan has exceeded 100,000. According to the latest figures from the health ministry, the country now has 107,677 people aged 100 and above, of whom 88% are women.
The oldest woman is Kishimoto Fuyo, a 114-year-old from Kyoto City, while the oldest man is Kato Hikaru, a 112-year-old from Kumamoto.
Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno told reporters he was “delighted that so many people are living long, healthy and active lives”. Citing progress in medicine and technology behind the long life, Ueno also warned about the challenge of maintaining a sustainable social security system.
The long lives of Japanese people may be attributed to several factors, including genetics, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
The island nation’s cuisine predominantly consists of fish, vegetables and rice, with less saturated fat than many Western diets. Older people also regularly walk, use public transport, cycle and stretch.
However, Japan’s ageing population is linked to two major demographic trends: low birth rates and longer life expectancy.
Fertility falling below the replacement level means fewer younger people are entering the population, while improvements in healthcare allow people to live longer.
To curb the falling fertility rates, the government in 2023 launched programs aimed at increasing the birth rate, including a 3.5-trillion-yen (US$22.5 billion) increase in family-policy spending.
However, the country's total fertility rate still dropped to a record low of 1.14 in 2025, far below the 2.1 children needed to maintain the current population.
On the other hand, there were 153 people aged 100 or older when centenarian surveys began in 1963. The number exceeded 1,000 in 1981 and surpassed 10,000 in 1998, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry.
Also read: Unusually High Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells Could Explain Why Some People Live Beyond 100: Study
The World Health Organization defines “super-ageing” societies as countries where more than 20% of the population is aged 65 or older.
As the proportion of older adults grows relative to the working-age population, population ageing can place pressure on healthcare systems, economies and social support structures. It can also contribute to challenges such as pension pressures, labor shortages and increasing demand for long-term care.
An ageing population can increase the need for continuous medical care, caregiving and social support, due to
Read More: Normal Ageing or Alzheimer's? Doctors Explain Six Key Differences to Watch For'
Japan’s demographic shift is part of a broader global trend. According to WHO, by 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or older. The number of people aged 60 and above is projected to rise from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030.
By 2050, the global population aged 60 and older is expected to reach 2.1 billion. The number of people aged 80 or older is also expected to triple between 2020 and 2050, reaching 426 million.
By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population aged over 60 is expected to live in low- and middle-income countries.
Population ageing therefore has implications not only for how long people live, but also for healthcare, caregiving, social support and the size of the working-age population.
Credit: iStock
A commonly used antibiotic for pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and certain skin infections has been linked to higher odds of death in adults, according to a new study.
The antibiotic, cefepime, is a cephalosporin that is relatively stable against AmpC β-lactamases, enzymes produced by some bacteria that can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Concerns about a possible link between cefepime and mortality have been raised for years. A new systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis has now re-examined the evidence from randomized clinical trials.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed 110 randomized clinical trials involving 22,608 patients who received either cefepime or another β-lactam antibiotic.
Researchers found a 94.4% posterior probability that cefepime was associated with higher odds of death compared with other β-lactam antibiotics. Death occurred in 6.6% of patients treated with cefepime and 6.2% of those in the comparison groups.
The mortality signal was concentrated in adults, while the analysis did not find evidence of increased mortality in children. Researchers also found higher probabilities of harm across several clinical indications and with cefepime doses of 2 grams or more every 12 hours.
The highest probability of increased mortality was seen among patients treated for febrile neutropenia, at 96.1%.
Also read: 98 Years After Penicillin, Are We Running Out Of Effective Antibiotics?
Cefepime remains an important antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections, including pneumonia, UTIs, skin infections and febrile neutropenia.
Its current FDA-approved uses also include certain complicated intra-abdominal infections when used with metronidazole.
One concern with cefepime is neurotoxicity. The drug's prescribing information warns about neurological reactions, particularly in patients with kidney impairment when the dose is not appropriately adjusted. Reported reactions can include confusion, encephalopathy, myoclonus and seizures.
The question of whether mortality is directly caused by cefepime, however, remains unresolved.
An accompanying commentary in JAMA Network Open argued that the mortality findings may be related to dosing and drug exposure rather than cefepime itself.
The drug is typically administered via injection by healthcare providers in a clinical setting. Severe side effects may include confusion, decreased consciousness or seizures, especially in older patients and those with kidney problems, among many other common symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic.
Read More: Nearly All Countries Overuse Antibiotics; 60% Still Use WHO-Discouraged Drugs: The Lancet
Concerns about cefepime's safety are not new. A 2007 meta-analysis reported a 26% higher relative risk of death among patients receiving cefepime compared with other β-lactam antibiotics.
The FDA subsequently analyzed a larger set of clinical trials and reported no statistically significant difference in mortality between cefepime and comparator antibiotics.
However, the researchers have also rated the overall certainty of evidence as moderate. They downgraded it because of differences between studies and possible publication bias, including 25 unpublished trials supplied by the US Food and Drug Administration that showed results in the opposite direction from the published literature.
Credit: AI
Climate change is an environmental issue, but its effects are reaching the eye clinic. Hotter summers, intense ultraviolet radiation, polluted air, shifting pollen seasons and extreme rainfall can affect the eyes.
Because the eye’s surface is exposed to the environment, changes in temperature, humidity and air quality may produce symptoms. Five risks deserve attention in India.
Extreme heat, dry winds and prolonged air-conditioning can accelerate evaporation of the tear film that protects the eye. Dehydration may compound the problem. Burning, grittiness, redness, watering and blurred vision are common warning signs.
Outdoor workers, drivers, older adults and contact-lens users may be especially vulnerable. Hydration, protective glasses and preservative-free lubricating drops recommended by an ophthalmologist can help.
Sunlight can affect more than the skin. Acute, intense ultraviolet exposure may injure the corneal surface and cause photokeratitis, producing pain, watering, light sensitivity and blurred vision. Exposure over years is associated with pterygium a fleshy growth on the eye and certain forms of cataract.
Choose sunglasses labelled UV400 or offering 99–100 per cent UVA and UVB protection. Dark lenses without verified UV protection are not adequate. A broad-brimmed hat provides protection.
Also read: US FDA Launches Expedited IND Pilot To Speed Up Drug Trials
Particulate matter, vehicle emissions, smoke, ozone and construction dust come into direct contact with the tear film. They may destabilise it and trigger inflammation, worsening dry eye, redness and allergic conjunctivitis. On days with poor air quality, limit avoidable outdoor exposure, use wraparound glasses and avoid rubbing the eyes.
Artificial tears may wash irritants from the surface, but persistent symptoms require examination rather than repeated use of over-the-counter “whitening” drops.
Changing temperatures, rainfall patterns and plant cycles can alter the amount and timing of airborne pollen. Combined with dust and pollution, this may result in more frequent or prolonged allergic-eye symptoms. Intense itching, watering and swollen eyelids are typical.
Cold compresses can provide relief, but rubbing may damage the ocular surface and, in susceptible people, contribute to corneal problems. Anti-allergy drops should be selected with medical guidance. Steroid eye drops must never be self-prescribed because misuse can raise eye pressure, promote infection and damage vision.
Also read: Bouncy Castles Linked To MRSA Outbreak In 48 Children In Ireland
Heavy rain, waterlogging and disrupted sanitation increase exposure to contaminated water and surfaces. Crowding during outbreaks may also facilitate the spread of infectious conjunctivitis through hands, towels, cosmetics and shared personal items.
Do not splash floodwater or questionable tap water into the eyes, and never rinse contact lenses with water. Pain, marked light sensitivity, reduced vision, corneal whiteness or symptoms in a contact-lens wearer require urgent assessment.
Climate-related eye problems are not confined to one season. Prevention begins with UV protection, clean hands, hydration, sensible exposure reduction and timely eye examinations. Sudden loss of vision, severe pain, flashes, new floaters or an eye injury should always be treated as an emergency.
© $2026 Times Horizon Private Limited