In this interview, our founder Daniel has five expert questions for the renowned proctologist Dr. med. Daniel Sterzing about the field of proctology, patients' health problems and grievances, and the importance of toilet stools from a medical point of view. Daniel Sterzing, MD, is a surgeon, visceral surgeon and proctologist and works at the Proctology Centre Berlin.
Daniel Kövary (Founder stuul):
How did you first become interested in proctology and what fascinates you about this speciality?
Dr. med. Daniel Sterzing (MD, visceral surgeon and proctologist at the Proctology Centre Berlin):
I often hear these questions. Counter question: How does one come to develop a toilet stool? As so often in life, it actually happened by chance that I now work as a proctologist. First I was a surgeon, then a visceral surgeon, and that's when I realised that I like proctological surgery. You can often help the patients with simple procedures, in many cases even a toilet stool helps and the patients feel better. There are only a few doctors who deal with this subject, I don't mind the intimate region and it makes me happy when I can help proctological patients who have often suffered from their complaints for a long time and can't find anyone to help them.
Daniel:
How has proctology developed in recent years? Are there trends in the kind and occurrence of the diseases?
Dr. med. Daniel Sterzing:
There are no exact figures on this. But proctological diseases are common. Haemorrhoidal disease is a common condition that one in two people will experience in their lifetime. Constipation and emptying disorders are also common. This is also due to the fact that many people are not at all familiar with their organism and digestion. It takes a lot of explanation and education on how to do something good for your body. Intestinal health plays a big role in this.
Besides, people are getting older and older and an old intestine doesn't work the way it did when you were 20, so you have to help the intestine a bit to keep everything running smoothly.
Daniel:
What effects can an incorrect sitting posture have on gut health?
Dr. med. Daniel Sterzing:
Gut health is an important factor in quality of life. The intestine does its job for years without us noticing. When things don't go so well and abdominal pain, constipation and flatulence plague us, we have to adjust many small cogs so that the intestines function well again. Diet (fibre-rich vegetable food, dietary fibres, sufficient fluids), exercise and an improved sitting position have an enormous influence.
Daniel:
Can you explain how the use of a toilet stool can facilitate and improve defecation?
Dr. med. Daniel Sterzing:
By using the toilet stool, we adopt a squatting position on the toilet, which is much more natural and makes the whole emptying process much easier. Our western toilets are simply too high up for this physiological position. With a toilet stool, the feet are higher and the rectoanal angle is larger and therefore more optimal for emptying.
Daniel:
Are there certain patient groups for whom the use of a toilet stool is particularly recommended and if so, why?
Dr. med. Daniel Sterzing:
Actually, it helps anyone or everyone. Just try it out. But especially short people with short legs benefit more, of course. Women, especially those who have given birth to children, develop a lowered pelvic floor over the years, which can be compensated for with the regular use of a toilet stool. Whenever emptying requires pushing and pressing or you feel you are only emptying incompletely, you should take a toilet stool.
And what is also important: take some psyllium every day, it is a lubricant for the intestines, and it usually works much better.
Daniel:
Thank you very much for this wonderful interview! What I particularly admire is your holistic view of your patients' suffering and your honest and sincere desire to help them. This is becoming more and more important in these days because, as you say, many of us have somehow lost touch with our bodies and are living increasingly unhealthy lifestyles. The solution to these problems often lies not in taking medication or having complicated operations, but in small positive lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise or sleep. Thanks again and all the best for your work. Talk to you soon again!
For more information on Dr. med. Daniel Sterzing and his work at the Proctology Centre Berlin, please klick on the link below:
