Dr. Roshini Raj, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone, has a message that might just make you rethink your bathroom habits. In a world where our smartphones are almost like an extension of our bodies, many of us are guilty of taking these gadgets with us on our bathroom trips, turning a quick visit into a prolonged stay. But here’s a heads-up: lounging on the loo for more than 10 minutes might not be as harmless as it seems.
Dr. Raj reveals a somewhat unsettling fact about our bathroom breaks. Spending too much time perched on the porcelain throne can lead to unpleasant health issues like hemorrhoids. Yes, those pesky, painful, swollen veins in the anal area that no one really wants to chat about at the dinner table. The culprit? The design of modern toilets. They let the anorectal area hang a bit lower than the thighs, leading to unwanted pressure on the veins down there due to gravity’s pull.
But wait, there’s more. It’s not just the act of sitting that’s the problem. If you’re camped out on the toilet, lost in the endless scroll of your phone, you’re still putting pressure on those veins, even if you’re not actively straining. So next time you’re contemplating finishing just one more level of your favorite mobile game or scrolling through your feed, remember your veins might not be as entertained as you are.
And while we’re on the topic, let’s talk hygiene. Dr. Raj points out another reason to reconsider your phone’s role in your bathroom routine. The risk of food poisoning or catching other nasties increases when you mix bathroom business with your digital devices. Touching your phone and then touching everything else? Not the best idea, according to the doc.
A study by NordVPN highlighted this very issue, showing that a whopping 65% of 9,800 adults confessed to taking their phones into the loo, especially those in the 26-41 age bracket. And it seems our friends in Spain are leading the charge, with nearly 80% admitting to using their phones to pass the time in the bathroom.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Maybe it’s time to give our bathroom habits a flush-down. Keeping your toilet visits under 10 minutes and leaving your phone outside might just be the best thing you can do for your health – and your peace of mind. After all, your veins, and possibly your overall well-being, will thank you for it. And let’s be honest, some things in life are best done without a digital companion – using the loo is undoubtedly one of them.
