Exploring the Potential Impact of Cell Phone Usage in Restrooms on Personal Health
In a recent study published in the scientific journal PLOS One, researchers led by gastroenterologist Chethan Ramprasad at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Massachusetts, USA, have suggested a potential link between prolonged smartphone use in the toilet and a higher prevalence of hemorrhoids.
The study, which analyzed 125 adults, found that 43% of participants suffer from hemorrhoids. Interestingly, 66% of the participants admitted to using their phones while on the toilet. The researchers discovered that participants who use their phones on the toilet spend significantly more time there than those who don't, with 37% saying they spend more than 5 minutes in the bathroom.
However, the study found that most respondents did not perceive that the cause of spending too much time sitting on the toilet was due to phone use. Unlike sitting in a chair or sofa, sitting on a standard toilet increases pressure on the hemorrhoidal cushions. This prolonged pressure could potentially lead to the development of hemorrhoids.
The most common activity people do while using their cell phone in the toilet is reading 'news'. The authors concluded that the use of smartphones in the toilet increases the risk of hemorrhoids by 46%, so they recommended limiting the use of cell phones in the bathroom to less than 5 minutes.
Interestingly, the most accurate predictor of the presence of hemorrhoids, according to the study, is prolonged time spent on the toilet. This finding underscores the potential role of smartphone use in contributing to this issue.
The researchers hope that their findings will encourage people to be more mindful of their smartphone usage in the bathroom and take steps to reduce their time spent sitting on the toilet, potentially reducing the risk of developing hemorrhoids.
