Staying sitting on the toilet for more than five minutes, scrolling on your phone, seriously increases the risk of hemorrhoids, according to a recent study.
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The study published in PLOS Onecarried out on 125 adults with screening colonoscopy, reveals worrying habits. The participants fulfilled a detailed questionnaire on their habits in the toilet, in particular their use of the cell phone.
The results show that 66% of those questioned regularly use their phone in the toilet and spend significantly more time than those who leave their device outside. On average, 37% of smartphone users remain more than five minutes, compared to only 7% in non-users.
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The presence of hemorrhoids in participants was then confirmed by endoscopic examination, making it possible to establish a link between digital habits and proctological disorders.
Result: an increase of 46% of the risk of hemorrhoids, these swollen veins around the anus and the rectum, responsible for pain, itching and bleeding, in the addicts on the phone.
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Staying sitting too long on the bowl increases pressure in the rectal region. The particular seat of the toilet, without support from the pelvic floor, worsens the problem.
In addition, the curved posture adopted by consulting its screen does not help and even complicates the intestinal transit, according to the researchers.
Unlike some received ideas, the problem does not come from excessive effort, but from the time spent seated without movement, often absorbed by social networks or news, indicates the study.
The researchers therefore recommend leaving your phone out of the bathroom and limiting the time spent on the toilet from three to five minutes maximum.