Can Scrolling on Your Phone While on the Toilet Lead to Serious Health Issues?

Bringing your smartphone into the bathroom for some entertainment might not be as clever as it seems, as highlighted by a gastroenterologist trained at prestigious institutions like Stanford and Harvard.

In a TikTok video, Dr. Saurabh Sethi warned that scrolling through social media while taking care of business can have serious health consequences, including the development of hemorrhoids.

Dr. Krishnamohan. Y, Clinical Director of Bariatric & GI Surgery at CARE Hospitals, clarified that using your phone on the toilet isn’t a direct cause of hemorrhoids. However, it can indirectly contribute to the condition or make existing hemorrhoids worse due to prolonged sitting.

For those unfamiliar with the term, hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus. They can be quite uncomfortable and might lead to bleeding. Typically, they result from increased pressure in the lower rectum, often due to issues like straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation or diarrhea, obesity, or even pregnancy.

Here’s how your smartphone habit in the bathroom can play a role in the development of hemorrhoids, as explained by Dr. Krishnamohan:

1. Prolonged Sitting: Scrolling on your phone can keep you sitting on the toilet for longer periods. This prolonged sitting increases pressure on the veins in the rectal area, potentially making hemorrhoids worse or contributing to their development. It’s also linked to a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to various health problems, including digestive issues and potential difficulties with bowel movements.
2. Straining: Using your phone for distraction can lead to longer, strained bowel movements. Straining during bowel movements is a known risk factor for hemorrhoids. This lack of mindfulness can lead to irregular bowel habits and potentially contribute to constipation or diarrhea, both of which are associated with the condition.
3. Poor Posture: Bending over or hunching to use your phone can lead to poor posture on the toilet. This, in turn, can strain the rectal area and contribute to the formation of hemorrhoids.

To maintain better digestive health and reduce the risk of hemorrhoids, it’s advisable to maintain good posture on the toilet, limit the time spent there, avoid straining during bowel movements, and stick to a balanced diet with adequate fiber and hydration.