Tag Archives: toilet

Here’s Why Using Your Phone on the Toilet Is a Mistake

Posted on by
Reply

Using your phone while sitting on the toilet can pose serious health risks. According to recent research.

The findings indicate that this bathroom behavior is not only unhygienic but can also significantly elevate the risk of developing bleeding, commonly referred to as hemorrhoids.

In a study conducted by US scientists involving 125 adults undergoing colonoscopy (a procedure in which a doctor examines the intestine with a camera), participants were surveyed about their lifestyle and bathroom habits.

Subjects provided answers regarding their habits, and the doctors performing the colonoscopy assessed any bleeding present.

Remarkably, 66% of participants reported using their smartphones while having a bowel movement, primarily to scroll through social media and check the news. Toilet users were more likely to engage in this scrolling behavior than those who did not.

Researchers performed statistical analyses to account for additional factors that could influence bleeding risk, such as physical activity, age, and diet.

Eventually, it was revealed that those who brought their phones into the restroom faced a 46% greater risk compared to those who left their devices behind.

So, why is scrolling such a concern? It essentially boils down to the amount of time spent sitting in the bathroom, which can increase due to distractions from your phone.

In fact, 37% of those who scrolled in the toilet admitted to spending over five minutes per visit, in contrast to just 7.1% of non-scrollers.

Researchers suggested that this extended duration could put additional pressure on the anal region, increasing the likelihood of tissue swelling.

Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a Harvard Medical Instructor, stated in BBC Science Focus: “Avoid bringing your smartphone to the toilet! It diverts your attention from the task at hand.”

As a minimum precaution, she recommended setting a five-minute timer or opting for traditional reading material like magazines.

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen tissue masses around the anal area that can lead to itching, pain, and bleeding – Credit: Sexan Monkon Kamusao

Bleeding results in nearly 4 million doctor visits or emergency room trips annually in the United States. In the UK, it is estimated that hemorrhoids affect 10% of the population.

Anecdotally, a correlation between phone use in the bathroom and bleeding has been noted, though few studies provide compelling evidence.

“I believe there’s still much to explore regarding the health impacts of constant phone scrolling,” Pasricha remarked. “In our study, we first identified a link between smartphone use in the bathroom and bleeding, but this is just the beginning of what promises to be more research in this area.”

Read more:

About our experts

Dr. Trisha Pasricha is a gastroenterologist and director of the Gut-Brain Research Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She is also a medical instructor at Harvard Medical School and has received the American Gastrointestinal Association’s Research Scholars Award. Pasricha is a recognized medical journalist and author of the forthcoming book You’ve All Pooped Wrong (Avery, £22).

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Using a Smartphone While on the Toilet May Raise Bleeding Risks

Posted on by
Reply

It may be wise to keep your phone out of the bathroom

Ekaterina Demidova/Getty Images

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

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Going Entertainment: The Rise of Toilet Games

Posted on by
Reply

t
There are two types of individuals across the globe: those who engage in gaming while using the toilet and those who don’t. I proudly belong to the former group. This may not be the most “Guardian-esque” opening for an article, but let’s face it—everyone uses the restroom, and many of us enjoy games while we’re there. I’m merely drawing a Venn diagram of sorts.

In the past, we spent our time reading books in there. I even had a small bookshelf dedicated to my collection, but I can remember a time when an office was deemed incomplete unless every cubicle was adorned with the daily newspaper.

When we were certain everyone was reading in those moments, bathroom books became a publishing sensation. This was particularly true for titles like Qi, which offered bite-sized, intellectually stimulating entertainment that made bathroom breaks feel productive.

Then came the phone, which revolutionized everything. The adult version of myself played with a Nokia, diving into a different kind of snake game. The crinkly newspapers gave way to pixelated avians.

My own foray into toilet gaming began with Nintendo titles and clocks before it all shifted to mobile. My school friends were fortunate to have consoles, and there’s no greater testament to friendship than someone trusting you with their cherished handheld devices. Before that, I had the challenge of timing myself on my Casio digital watch, with my best time being 0.07 seconds. Ah, youthful days.

Curiously enough, dedicated handheld gaming consoles didn’t work well for me. The Game Boy was too bulky and eye-catching, with a battery that wouldn’t last even a single visit, making options like Game Gear or Atari Links impractical.

The Game Boy Advance SP changed everything in toilet gaming, being compact and boasting a 10-hour battery life. However, I soon learned the challenges of playing while on the throne. A game had to allow for short bursts of play. Advanced Wars almost led to my demise; during lengthy missions, I’d experience numbness in my legs and stumble out of the restroom like a fallen tree. Fortunately, no one else was around to witness my plight.

Today’s toilets offer a perfect environment for gaming—free from distractions. Nobody’s going to disturb you in there, and just as importantly, there’s no guilt involved. Parenting often comes with its share of guilt for gamers; you constantly feel the need to be more productive. Parents work hard to equip their kids for school and navigate life’s challenges. The bathroom becomes a mini oasis—an isolated haven where games cater to nature’s call rather than the demands of parenthood.




Zenith…Lego Hill Climb Adventure. Photo: Fingersoft

My gaming escapades in the restroom have only increased as my children have grown older. I stubbornly refuse to fix our noisy bathroom fan. Recently, games like Alto’s Adventure, Pocket Run Pool, Prune, NFL RB25, Pocket Card Jockey, and Marvel Snap have become the ideal companions for bathroom breaks—perfect for stolen moments of joy that don’t make you feel like time is slipping away. The pinnacle of my toilet gaming experience has been Lego Hill Climb Adventure, which offers a delightful escape from workplace stress.

This game engrosses me to the point where I forget about the outside world. Initially, we turned to books as a distraction to ease our minds. As a child, I found solace in a ZX Spectrum tucked away in my cupboard, escaping the constant conflicts of my parents in another life. That was the allure of gaming for me, and I’m thrilled that others can now enjoy the same experience in the smallest and safest room of their homes, nearly five decades later.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Call center employees of a major Greek technology company go on strike: “Don’t let me use the toilet”

Posted on by
Reply

CCenter staff at some of the world's biggest tech companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Netflix, have all accused the employer of retaliating against union organizers, constantly monitoring staff and denying them even bathroom breaks.

In the United States or Europe, if you're looking for technical or customer support from a major technology company, you might end up talking to an employee at Tele Performance's call center in Greece.

Teleperformance, the world's largest call center operator, Approximately 12,000 workers Based in Greece, we serve over 140 markets around the world in 43 different languages and dialects. The company is 7 multilingual hubs In Greece, it takes place in Athens, Chania and Thessaloniki.

Workers in Greece who have been seeking a collective agreement with Teleperformance say that the company has recently retaliated Targeted firings of union leaders, etc.

they say wages have increased unchanged Since 2010, Greece has been hit by creditor austerity measures despite high inflation and rising costs of living in recent years.

Mr. Nikos Spilleris, a call center worker at Teleperformance, Setep, The union representing teleperformance workers in Greece explained that its efforts began in early 2024 in response to years of no wage increases and increased production pressures placed on workers.




Setep Teleperformance call center employees go on strike in Greece. Photo: SETEP/Courtesy of SETEP

“They judge you on dozens of productivity metrics, and depending on the project, you have to be on the phone multiple times. Not being allowed to go to the bathroom even if you want to. is common,” Spilleris said. “If an employee is sick or absent for any reason, that is considered counterproductive and is grounds for renewing or not renewing the employee’s contract.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Skibidi Toilet: Exploring the Bizarre and Viral YouTube Series

Posted on by
Reply

Alex, I read a headline that read: Russian police force investigation into YouTube's famous 'Skibidi Toilet' series. What does it mean as a set of words?

Bull Skibiddy Dop Dop Yes, yes, Steph. Skibbidi dobbidi dib dib.

I think that explains a lot in itself.

Thank you, I hate it. However, he has 135 million (!) views, so more information is needed.

Are you okay. “Skibidi Toilet” is an ongoing YouTube animated web series by Georgian content creator Alexei Gerasimov. Since launching in February, his YouTube channel his DaFuq!?Boom! is currently just outside the top 100 of his YouTube channels in the world by number of subscribers. There are currently over 70 episodes, with new videos uploaded every few days, but as the length and quality of production has increased, the period between new episodes has grown longer.

Skibidi Toilet's popularity is primarily driven by kids 13 and under, and it's the first meme to bemoan Gen Z being too old to understand. The fact that most of Skibidi Toilet's fans are young, combined with the show's disturbing aesthetic and violence, has led to a new wave of moral panic about how the internet is poisoning children's brains. It is an excellent material.

Parenting website and TikTok influencerIndonesia in particular has already warned of the clear dangers of “skibidi toilet syndrome”, and Russian authorities are also getting involved.

Skibidi Toilet Syndrome ???? What are the symptoms? please tell me.

It is not yet recognized by DSM-V. This is an umbrella term that describes what parents believe about the behavior their children exhibit after watching the show. Parents have recorded their children becoming 'obsessed' with the Skibidi Toilet. upset or angry after viewing has been restricted or prohibited; or Sits in a basket or box and acts like a skividi pottywhich seems more cute than scary, but what do I know?

Moscow police learn about father's case asked the authorities The purpose is to investigate whether the video is having a negative impact on children.Russian lawmakers are especially likely to look for signs of moral decline in internet culture – in 2015 the State Duma said laws passed Memes that mock or satirize public figures are prohibited.

What is the show actually about?

The first few episodes depict a city and its inhabitants being steadily taken over by Skibidi Toilet. Skibidi Toilet is a scary animated head that lives in a toilet and sings a mashup of Timbaland's “Give It to Me” and Visser King's “Dom Dom Yes Yes” . Cameraheads (the series' main characters, well-dressed men with head surveillance cameras) emerge as an underground resistance movement. It soon becomes an all-out war between both increasingly powerful and destructive sides.

Oddly enough, I found myself drawn into the world of Skibidi Toilet.A clear story is unfolding There are plot twists, betrayals, humor, murderous action scenes, and some moments that probably felt more than I expected..

You mentioned “a new moral panic about how the internet is harming children's brains.” Do you feel like something like this happens once every few months?

Harsh stories about how the Internet turns children into psychopaths have become recurring themes in the modern news cycle.In recent years, social media has been accused of putting children and teens at risk. eat laundry detergent, steal items from their school, and develop symptoms About Tourette syndrome.

There's also a political element. Far-right politicians in the United States and elsewhere have made ridiculous claims that TikTok is brainwashing children into questioning their sexual and gender identities, supporting Hamas, and feeding child sex traffickers. We are raising funds and running a campaign.

None of this is new. Millennials will remember clutching their pearls at strange internet ephemera such as: slender man And as a larger cultural indicator, grand theft auto video game series. This isn't to say there isn't some of his content online that children should be protected from, such as a disturbing pirated YouTube video of Peppa Pig being beaten at the dentist. But if all the content that caused a moral panic had any value, the world's children using the internet would have become children of the corn a long time ago.

So what's the verdict on Skibidi Toilet?

It's kind of fun! There are certainly parts that young children might find scary (many episodes end with Skibidi Toilet charging towards the camera), but once you get past the red-eyed toilet monster, there's a lot of talk surrounding it. Much less creepy than that. I was able to become one.

Either way, much of the best children's entertainment is weird and dark. Roald Dahl's books are full of murderous school principals and children who are mutilated in comedic ways. Hansel and Gretel had to push the witch into the oven. If you're worried about your child suddenly acting like a singing potty, take a look at Skibidi Potty together. You may even feel guilty.

Source: www.theguardian.com