By Purity Karambu | The Common Pulse/latest news/kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025A U.S. federal
Bathroom phone use
Bathroom phone use has become a common modern habit, with many people scrolling social media or replying to messages while on the toilet. While it may feel harmless, studies suggest that bringing your phone to the bathroom not only raises hygiene concerns but also increases the time spent sitting on the toilet, which is linked to health risks such as hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids causes
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus, and their main causes include straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, pregnancy, obesity, and prolonged sitting. Modern lifestyle changes, such as excessive phone use while on the toilet, are now being recognized as new contributing factors to this painful condition.
Phone use and hemorrhoids
Medical experts are increasingly connecting phone use and hemorrhoids, as people tend to spend longer on the toilet when distracted by their devices. This extended sitting creates unnecessary pressure on rectal veins, which may lead to irritation, swelling, and eventually hemorrhoid flare-ups.
Toilet habits and health risks
Unhealthy toilet habits like sitting too long, straining, or using a phone to pass time pose serious health risks beyond hemorrhoids. These behaviors can lead to pelvic floor disorders, constipation, and even an increased risk of urinary tract infections due to poor posture and prolonged bathroom sessions.
Prolonged sitting on toilet
Prolonged sitting on the toilet is one of the leading risk factors for hemorrhoids, as the position increases pressure on blood vessels in the rectal area. Smartphones encourage people to linger longer than necessary, making what should be a quick trip to the bathroom a harmful daily routine.
Smartphone addiction health risks
Smartphone addiction extends beyond digital fatigue and poor sleep it also has surprising health effects, including worsening gastrointestinal health. Constant phone scrolling, especially in the bathroom, keeps people sedentary longer, exposing them to lifestyle-related illnesses such as hemorrhoids, obesity, and cardiovascular problems.
Hemorrhoids prevention tips
Preventing hemorrhoids starts with healthy bowel habits: avoid straining, limit bathroom time, eat a high-fiber diet, and drink plenty of water. Most importantly, leave your phone outside the bathroom to reduce the temptation of prolonged sitting, ensuring smoother digestion and reduced pressure on rectal veins.
Bathroom hygiene and phones
Bathroom hygiene and phones are a dangerous mix. Studies show that phones carried into bathrooms are often contaminated with bacteria such as E. coli, which can spread to hands, faces, and other surfaces. Pairing this with longer toilet sessions adds both infection and hemorrhoid risks.
Constipation and hemorrhoids
Constipation is one of the most direct causes of hemorrhoids, as straining during hard bowel movements damages rectal veins. Using a phone on the toilet often worsens constipation by encouraging people to “wait it out” longer instead of developing healthier dietary and bathroom routines.
Digital lifestyle health problems
Our digital lifestyle, while convenient, is creating unexpected health problems. From eye strain and sleep disturbances to poor posture and hemorrhoids, constant phone use has deep connections with both physical and gastrointestinal health, reminding us that technology should be used with moderation.
Health risks of toilet phone scrolling
Toilet phone scrolling may feel like a harmless way to relax, but it comes with hidden health risks: hemorrhoids, bacterial contamination, constipation, and even musculoskeletal strain from poor posture. Reducing scrolling time in the bathroom is one of the simplest ways to protect long-term health.
New medical study hemorrhoids
A new medical study has drawn attention to the growing link between bathroom phone use and hemorrhoids. Researchers found that individuals who bring their phones into the toilet spend significantly more time seated, directly increasing the likelihood of hemorrhoid development compared to those who don’t.
Hemorrhoids treatment and care
Hemorrhoids treatment and care usually begin with simple lifestyle adjustments such as eating more fiber, drinking water, and avoiding bathroom phones. For painful flare-ups, over-the-counter creams, warm baths, and in some cases, medical procedures can provide relief and long-term prevention.
Gastrointestinal health risks
Ignoring healthy bowel habits can lead to gastrointestinal health risks that go beyond hemorrhoids. Issues such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic indigestion may worsen with poor diet, stress, and extended toilet sessions caused by phone distractions.
How to prevent hemorrhoids naturally
You can prevent hemorrhoids naturally by maintaining a high-fiber diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and developing healthy toilet habits. Most importantly, keep your bathroom breaks short and distraction-free by leaving your smartphone outside the door, reducing both hygiene concerns and vein pressure.
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