We all suck in our stomachs to look good in photographs
A common habit, which many of us do unintentionally, is likely to put us in trouble. Whenever posing for a photograph we try to suck in our stomach to appear thinner. We don't mind keeping our stomach sucked in throughout the day just to look fab in a nice dress. But here is a health-related warning about this. Read the article to know why you should not be doing so.
Putting extra pressure on the abdominal muscle is detrimental
'While many people will do it without thinking, it's almost a reflex, there are long-term repercussions associated with 'stomach gripping', as you're holding significant tension in one part of your body for an extended period of time,' wellness guru Erika Weiss told Daily Mail.
Know about hourglass syndrome
Sucking the stomach regularly can lead to imperfection and imbalance in the body shape and appearance which is known as hourglass syndrome. This is a medical condition in which the shape of the diaphragm changes impairing its ability to open up fully. This results in shallow breathing.
Reduced breathing capacity can make you feel fatigued
Due to the distorted shape of the diaphragm and less space in the abdomen, two major complications are likely to come up. "Although there’s limited research looking at the effect of hourglass syndrome itself on breathing capacity, research on abdominal strapping (where the whole abdomen or only part of it is strapped to aid recovery from a muscle injury or after surgery), shows a 34% decrease in the amount of air that’s exhaled and a 27%-40% reduction in total lung capacity," a report in The Conversation says. Reduced breathing is likely to make the person fatigued.
It can weaken the pelvic floor muscles
Constant pressure on the abdomen can weaken the muscles of the pelvic floor and this can lead to affect the functioning of bladder, uterus and rectum. This increases the risk of developing urine and faecal leakage or urinary or faecal incontinence.
Other complications you need to be careful about
Due to this, several complications like lower back pain, neck pain, headache, and acid reflux, are seen in people. Due to reduced mobility in the diaphragm, there is extra pressure on the neck and shoulders which leads to neck pain and headache. This also leads to muscle tightness in the lower back and makes it difficult for the person to move.
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