Do you find yourself using your smartphone while on the toilet? If that’s the case, you might be spending more time there than anticipated, which could increase your risk of bleeding by nearly 50%.

“Our gastroenterologists consistently advise patients, ‘Limit your time in the bathroom,'” says Trisha Pasricha from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. “However, upon exploring the literature, I discovered substantial data backing this advice.”

Pasricha and her team are currently conducting their own study, asking 125 individuals scheduled for colonoscopy to complete a questionnaire regarding their bathroom habits, overall health, and physical activity. They then analyze the colonoscopy images to check for signs of bleeding, also referred to as a mass in the lower region.

“These conditions can be quite challenging for individuals to identify on their own,” Pasricha explains. “Sometimes they are internal and may not be felt, and what may be perceived externally doesn’t always correlate with actual bleeding.”

Among participants over 45, two-thirds reported using their smartphones in the bathroom. “If we surveyed college students, I suspect almost no one would skip bringing their phones to the restroom,” Pasricha remarked.

The study revealed that 37% of individuals who used smartphones in the bathroom averaged five or more minutes spent in there, whereas only 7% of non-users spent the same duration. Thus, phone users were about five times more likely to linger for five minutes or longer.

However, most participants seemed unaware of this, with only 5% acknowledging that smartphone usage extended their time spent in the bathroom. The data did not show any significant correlation between the participants’ gender and the time spent on the toilet.

After adjusting for age and physical activity levels, the research team concluded that smartphone use in the bathroom correlated with a 46% increase in bleeding risk. “It’s important to clarify that our study doesn’t establish a cause-and-effect relationship,” Pasricha noted. Moving forward, future research will involve interventions, asking some participants to refrain from using their phones while in the restroom.

The research also found no connection between tension and bleeding risk. This might seem surprising given common beliefs; however, the existing evidence is quite limited. In fact, some studies have indicated that the risk of bleeding correlates more with diarrhea rather than constipation.

Pasricha’s research suggests that the main risk factor is the prolonged time spent seated on the toilet. The consensus is that this position offers less pelvic support compared to sitting on a flat surface. “This leads to a passive rise in pressure affecting these muscles due to the lack of pelvic floor support,” she explained.

Lucinda Harris at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona agrees, noting that long durations in the bathroom can mimic the pressure experienced during pregnancy in the pelvic region.

If these findings hold true, the widespread use of smartphones might be contributing to increasing rates of bowel issues globally. Diagnosing such conditions can be tricky, so it remains unclear if the incidence rates are truly changing, Pasricha pointed out. Additionally, dietary changes could also be influencing these rates.

Pasricha advises keeping your smartphone outside the bathroom, although reading materials that aren’t designed to be addictive might be acceptable. “Consider reading things that promote moderation, and keep track of your time,” she suggested. Financial Times