A recent study has identified a contemporary toilet habit that may increase the risk of developing a painful condition.
The issue isn’t related to diet, but rather what people engage in while on the toilet.
It’s no secret that many are constantly attached to their phones, but using them during bathroom visits could elevate the risk of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids, or piles, are characterized by swollen and enlarged veins around the anus and rectum, resulting in discomfort.
The Cleveland Clinic lists symptoms such as itchiness or irritation near the anus, sore or tender lumps, aching pain when sitting, and bleeding upon wiping.
Several factors contribute to hemorrhoids, including insufficient dietary fiber, obesity, and persistent constipation or diarrhea.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, have discovered that simply using a phone on the toilet can heighten the risk of hemorrhoids.
Their study surveyed 125 adults who underwent a colonoscopy, examining their lifestyle and toilet habits via an online questionnaire.
After adjusting for factors such as exercise, age, and fiber intake, the study revealed that smartphone users had a 46 percent greater risk of developing hemorrhoids compared to those who did not use phones on the toilet.
Phone users also tended to spend more time on the toilet, with 37 percent sitting for over five minutes, unlike the 7.1 percent of non-phone users.
The activities most frequently done on phones included reading the news or browsing social media.
You might even be reading this article from the toilet yourself right now.
Prolonged sitting on the toilet due to smartphone use increases pressure on anal tissues, which can contribute to hemorrhoids.
Trisha Pasricha, senior author of the study, stated: “We’re still uncovering the many ways smartphones and our modern way of life impact our health. It’s possible that how and where we use them – such as while in the bathroom – can have unintended consequences.”
“This study bolsters advice to people in general to leave the smartphones outside the bathroom and to try to spend no more than a few minutes to have a bowel movement. If it’s taking longer, ask yourself why.”
“Was it because having a bowel movement was really so difficult, or was it because my focus was elsewhere?”
Pasricha concluded: “We need to study this further, but it’s a safe suggestion to leave the smartphone outside the bathroom when you need to have a bowel movement.”