Scrolling On Your Phone In The Toilet? You Could Be Inviting This Painful Disease

Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 14:20 IST

A recent study warns that using mobile phones in the toilet may raise the risk of a serious health problem linked to prolonged sitting and poor lifestyle habits

Using a mobile phone in the toilet may seem harmless, but experts warn it could carry serious health risks. (News18 Hindi)

With smartphones becoming an essential part of daily life, many people rarely part with their devices, even while eating, sleeping, or visiting the toilet. Studies suggest that a growing number of people are glued to their phones while sitting on the toilet, scrolling through social media or watching videos for hours. While this habit may seem harmless, experts warn it could pose serious health risks.

A recent study has revealed that using mobile phones in the toilet may increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in or around the rectum and anus, often caused by persistent constipation or straining during bowel movements. The study highlights the potential dangers of prolonged mobile use in the bathroom, particularly when combined with poor toilet posture.

According to research published in the journal PLOS One, people who use smartphones while on the toilet have a 46% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids compared with those who do not. The study was conducted at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, where about 125 men and women were surveyed regarding their smartphone habits in the toilet.

The study found that around 66% of participants admitted to using their smartphones in the toilet. Colonoscopy results showed that only 38% of those who did not use phones had hemorrhoids, compared with 51% among smartphone users. Researchers noted that even after considering factors such as age, sex, BMI, exercise, straining on the toilet, and fibre intake, smartphone use in the toilet still increased the risk of hemorrhoids by 46%.

Further findings indicated that smartphone users spend more time on the toilet than non-users. Common activities include reading newspapers (54%) and browsing social media (44%). Experts explain that sitting on the toilet without supporting the pelvic floor increases pressure on the hemorrhoidal cushions. Prolonged pressure can cause these cushions to swell, eventually leading to hemorrhoids.

Diet also plays a key role in digestive health. Modern diets, often low in fibre and high in junk food, contribute to constipation and related digestive issues. With hemorrhoid cases rising across the country, experts recommend increasing fibre intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, reducing junk and fast food consumption, and, most importantly, avoiding smartphone use while on the toilet.

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Author: News18