Is Your Smartphone Giving You Hemorrhoids? New Research Suggests a Link
Hemorrhoids, characterized by swollen veins in the anus and rectum, can cause discomfort, pain, and bleeding. While common causes include constipation, pregnancy, and age-related tissue weakening, emerging research points to a surprising contributor: smartphone use during bathroom visits.
For years, doctors have suspected a connection between prolonged toilet time and an increased risk of hemorrhoids, but concrete scientific evidence has been limited. A recent study from researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, led by Chethan Ramprasad, aimed to investigate this relationship further.
The study involved 125 adults undergoing routine colonoscopies. Participants completed detailed questionnaires about their lifestyle habits, specifically their behavior while using the toilet. Researchers simultaneously assessed each volunteer for the presence of hemorrhoids.
The results, published in the journal PLOS One, revealed a concerning trend: two-thirds of participants admitted to using their smartphones while on the toilet, with a significantly higher percentage among younger individuals.
Perhaps more alarming, the study found that individuals who used their smartphones in the bathroom had a 46% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids compared to those who didn’t.
this isn’t necessarily due to straining, the researchers explain.Instead, the increased time spent sitting on the toilet – fueled by smartphone distractions – appears to be the key factor. The study showed that 37% of smartphone users spent over five minutes on the toilet, compared to only 7% of non-users. Prolonged sitting can increase pressure on anal tissues, possibly contributing to hemorrhoid development.
The authors recommend a simple preventative measure: “Leave smartphones outside the toilets and try not to spend more than a few minutes in the saddle. If it takes more time, ask yourself why – is it due to difficulty evacuating, or simply because your attention is elsewhere?” This study provides compelling evidence to support a mindful approach to bathroom breaks, and suggests that disconnecting from your phone could be a important step towards better digestive health.
