Does Using Your Phone in the Washroom Causes Piles? Know It From An Expert | OnlyMyHealth
We all know smartphones can be distracting, but did you know they could also cause health problems in the bathroom? A new study has found that scrolling on your phone while sitting on the toilet can increase your risk of developing hemorrhoids.
Why Phones and Toilets Don’t Mix
Doctors say the problem isn’t the phone itself—it’s the extra time you spend sitting. Sitting on the toilet for too long puts pressure on veins in the rectum, which can lead to swelling and inflammation. Over time, this increases the chances of hemorrhoids.
Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and lead author of the study, explained:
“The longer you sit on the toilet, the worse it is for you.”
Unlike flipping through a newspaper in the past, today’s smartphones are designed to keep you hooked—making it harder to leave the bathroom when you should.
What the Study Found
Researchers surveyed 125 adults who were about to have routine colonoscopies. Here’s what they discovered:
- 66% admitted to using their phones in the bathroom.
- Those who used their phones were 46% more likely to have hemorrhoids.
- Even after considering diet, exercise, and constipation, the risk was still higher for smartphone users.
Hemorrhoids aren’t usually dangerous, but they can cause pain, itching, bleeding, and discomfort. They also account for nearly 4 million doctor visits every year in the U.S.
It’s Not Just Hemorrhoids
Experts warn that bathroom phone use can cause other issues, too. Sitting too long can weaken the pelvic floor, leading to constipation, incontinence, and rectal pain. Plus, phones can pick up germs from the bathroom since tiny particles spread in the air when you flush.
Dr. Reezwana Chowdhury of Johns Hopkins University put it bluntly:
“Taking a phone into the bathroom is kind of gross.”
Who’s Most at Risk?
The study found that younger adults—especially those in their 40s and 50s—were more likely to bring their phones into the bathroom compared to older adults. Doctors also report seeing more hemorrhoid cases among younger patients than in the past.
The 5-Minute Rule
So, what’s the solution? Experts recommend keeping bathroom time short. If you’re spending more than five minutes on the toilet, it’s time to take a break and try again later.
Dr. Pasricha summed it up simply:
“If the magic isn’t happening within five minutes, it’s not going to happen.”
Bottom Line
Using your phone in the bathroom may seem harmless, but it could be hurting your health. To protect yourself, keep bathroom visits short—and keep your phone out of the restroom.
#HealthTips #SmartphoneAddiction #GutHealth #Wellness #HealthyHabits