A new study has found a surprising health risk linked to using smartphones on the toilet. Published in PLOS One, the research surveyed 125 adults before routine colonoscopies and revealed that two-thirds admitted to phone use in the bathroom. Those who did were 46% more likely to develop hemorrhoids.
Researchers explained that sitting too long places pressure on rectal veins, which can swell and become inflamed. The most common activities included reading news and checking social media. Middle-aged adults, especially those in their 40s and 50s, were more likely to engage in the habit compared to older adults.
Hemorrhoids are among the most common gastrointestinal problems in the U.S., causing nearly 4 million medical visits each year and costing hundreds of millions in healthcare. Doctors recommend spending no more than five minutes on the toilet and avoiding distractions like phones to lower the risk.
