Scrolling on the toilet could raise your risk of hemorrhoids, a new study finds

"If you're someone who sneaks off to the bathroom for a little phone time, you could be upping your odds of developing hemorrhoids. A recent survey suggests Americans spend two full days a year scrolling on the toilet. Now, new research shows that people who bring their phone to scroll social media are 46% more likely to get hemorrhoids than those who don't."

"Hemorrhoids-swollen veins in the lower rectum that can cause pain, itching, and bleeding-are often linked to straining. But lingering on the toilet itself has now been identified as a bigger risk. Research published last week found phone users spend five times longer on the toilet, which increases pressure on anal tissue and raises the likelihood of haemorrhoids. About 54% of respondents reported reading the news, while 44% scrolled social media."

"Researchers recommend leaving the phone outside the bathroom altogether-or, if that's unthinkable, limiting yourself to 'two TikToks at most.' "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," Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center gastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha said in a statement."

Americans spend about two days per year scrolling on the toilet, and people who bring their phone to scroll social media are 46% more likely to develop hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum that cause pain, itching, and bleeding and are often linked to straining. Lingering on the toilet increases pressure on anal tissue; phone users spend five times longer on the toilet, boosting hemorrhoid risk. About 54% read news and 44% scrolled social media while on the toilet. Hemorrhoids affect about half of U.S. adults over 50, causing nearly 4 million clinic visits and over $800 million in healthcare spending. Leave phones outside the bathroom or limit toilet scrolling.

Read at Fast Company