The fact that the legendary Robin Williams died ten years ago is astounding. The late actor was a titan of the film business, a hilarious actor with almost no competition, whose death left a lasting impact on society. His death was undoubtedly the result of unfortunate circumstances, and his legacy continues to be profound.
That people are still talking about his life and legacy and that many of them conjecture about what may have occurred if his fortune and destiny had turned out differently should not come as a surprise.
The last words William ever said to him were relayed by Billy Connolly, a comedian and close friend of the actor, over ten years after the untimely death of the Good Will Hunting star. and they’re exactly as heartwarming as you might anticipate… It’s true that humor and Robin Williams go hand in hand.
Throughout his colorful career, Williams became one of the funniest men to have ever graced our screens. Ten years after his death, people are still laughing at the comedy he created, which combines gut-busting hilarity with strange, wonderful, flawed, and fabulous characters.
However, tragedy also plagued Williams’ life in this instance, to the extent that the actor believed life was not worth living at all. On August 11, 2014, Williams, 63, was found dead at home; it appeared that he had committed suicide.
Williams had issues like alcoholism despite enjoying great success in his acting career. In 2014, Williams spent three weeks at the Hazelden facility in Minnesota in an effort to deepen his commitment to recovery.
According to reports, the Jumanji actor battled alcoholism and cocaine abuse in the early 1980s until giving up when his pal John Belushi passed away from an overdose in 1982. Following his passing in 2014, the late Hollywood icon’s representative stated that he had been “battling severe depression.” His wife Susan Schneider subsequently revealed further information on his demise, including the fact that he had only been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few months before he passed away.
Williams had Lewy body dementia (LBD), which resulted in significant alterations to his personality, mobility, temperament, memory, reasoning, sleep patterns, and mood, according to the results of an autopsy.
Needless to say, Williams’ passing had a terrible effect on a lot of people, including his closest friends and family.
One figure who definitely belonged in the first category was Sir Billy Connolly, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. When asked what he would have done differently if he had known Williams intended to commit suicide, the comedian and actor said, “You have to give a guy the position that he’s wise enough to make up his own mind.” Connolly stated, “I don’t think so,” in response to the topic of whether or not he would have tried to save his own life.
The 81-year-old Connolly also revealed that he and Williams had talked on the phone a lot about their experiences with Parkinson’s disease and would often express how much they loved and cared for each other. When Connolly appeared on the BBC program In My Own Words, he discussed his relationship with Williams.
The week before Williams passed suddenly, he said, the actor had called to ask him to dinner. “I love you,” he remarked to me over dinner when he called and said, “Let’s have dinner.” Connolly thought back to their last dinner together. I conveyed my appreciation. He said, “Do you believe me?” “Obviously, I do,” I remarked. “You have my undying love,” he declared. That was great, in my opinion.
My initial thought was, “How strange, how strange for him to say that, it’s not like him normally.” Connolly said, “He died during the weekend. I hope you find peace, Robin Williams.
Doctor Reveals Why Women Should Avoid Peeing in the Shower
The debate over peeing in the shower continues, with many advocating for the practice due to its water-saving benefits. However, Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, a pelvic health specialist, warns that for those assigned female at birth, this habit could have unintended health consequences.
The Water Conservation Argument
One of the strongest arguments for urinating in the shower is its potential to save water. By eliminating the need for a separate toilet flush, a person could save approximately 2,190 liters (579 gallons) of water per year. If the entire U.S. population adopted this practice, it could lead to an annual water savings of 699 billion liters (185 billion gallons). This significant reduction in water consumption highlights the environmental advantages of shower urination.
Potential Health Risks: The Pelvic Floor Connection
Despite the environmental benefits, the potential health consequences of this habit must be considered. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas explains in a TikTok video that regularly peeing in the shower may lead to pelvic floor and bladder control issues.
The Pavlovian Response
Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas likens this habit to Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiment, where dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with food. Similarly, repeatedly urinating in the shower can train the brain to link the sound of running water with the urge to pee. This association may result in involuntary urination triggered by running water sounds, such as a faucet, toilet flush, or even rain.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Risks
For individuals with existing pelvic floor dysfunction, this learned association can exacerbate bladder control problems. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas explains that urinating while standing in the shower does not allow the pelvic floor muscles to fully relax, potentially leading to incomplete bladder emptying. Over time, this can contribute to urinary retention and increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Some argue that squatting while urinating in the shower might alleviate pelvic floor strain. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas acknowledges that a full squat position allows for better pelvic floor relaxation, but she still advises against making shower urination a habit. If one must urinate in the shower, a proper squatting position is preferable to standing.
Why Doesn’t Toilet Flushing Trigger the Same Response?
A common question is why flushing the toilet doesn’t condition the brain in the same way. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas clarifies that by the time a person flushes the toilet, they have already urinated, so no association is formed. However, individuals who struggle to resist the urge to urinate when exposed to running water may already have underlying bladder control issues.
Understanding Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common condition, particularly among women. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, rectum, and other organs. Dysfunction occurs when these muscles become too weak or too tight, leading to symptoms such as:
- Urinary and bowel incontinence
- Lower back pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Increased urgency or frequency of urination
Factors such as childbirth, surgery, aging, obesity, and high-impact activities can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. Given that urinating in the shower might worsen symptoms, individuals should be aware of these risks before adopting the habit.
The Biological Factor: Why Female Anatomy Matters
Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas emphasizes that those with female anatomy are not designed to urinate while standing. Unlike male anatomy, where the positioning allows for better bladder emptying while standing, females may struggle to fully relax the pelvic floor in this position. This can lead to incomplete bladder emptying, increasing the risk of UTIs and other urinary complications.
Pros and Cons of Peeing in the Shower
Pros:
- Water conservation: Reduces toilet water usage significantly.
- Convenience: Saves time, particularly during a rushed morning routine.
Cons:
- Pelvic floor health risks: May contribute to bladder control issues and pelvic dysfunction.
- Conditioned response: Can create an involuntary urge to urinate when exposed to running water.
- Sanitation concerns: While urine is mostly sterile, it can still contain bacteria that may pose hygiene risks.
The Bottom Line
While peeing in the shower may seem like an eco-friendly and convenient habit, it is important to weigh the potential health risks. Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas’s insights serve as a reminder to consider the long-term effects of our daily routines. Striving for sustainability should not come at the cost of personal health. Ultimately, making an informed decision based on both environmental and health factors is key to maintaining overall well-being.
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