Get off the throne: Study claims smartphones could increase hemorrhoid risk

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00:00The next time you turn your bathroom break into an endless TikTok scroll, not so fast.

00:06A new study says smartphones are keeping people on the porcelain throne too long

00:10and that could be leading to hemorrhoids even in younger adults.

00:14And yes, that's a pain in the ass.

00:19The study published Wednesday found people who took their phones into the bathroom

00:23were more likely to have hemorrhoids because of the extra time spent sitting and scrolling.

00:28But Dr. Satish Raoult says the story needs clearing up.

00:32And we sit for hours. Sitting here and sitting on the toilet is no different.

00:37So I think the missing point is where they're sitting and straining on the toilet.

00:44Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions near the anal opening.

00:48But when you strain over time, the elastic fibers that support them can snap,

00:53leaving those vessels swollen and less able to relieve pressure.

00:56So the big takeaway, don't strain.

01:00That urge to push hard can come from being in a hurry or even from anxiety.

01:05Dr. Raoult shared a story from his practice.

01:08When this lady was a little girl, you know, she would like to sit and play on the toilet.

01:16But then her parents told her, don't sit for a long time.

01:20If you sit for a long time, a snake will come and bite you.

01:23So when that kind of an idea was implanted into a little girl, she would push and strain excessively.

01:31That young woman ended up prolapsing her entire rectum.

01:35Hemorrhoids are not necessarily dangerous, just uncomfortable.

01:39If you want to know what to look out for, Dr. Raoult said the most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids can often be misdiagnosed.

01:47The commonest cause of rectal bleeding is not colon cancer.

01:51It is either hemorrhoid bleeding or a fissure or a tear in the opening.

01:56But external hemorrhoids are different, often acute, very painful, and sometimes need surgical relief.

02:03Hemorrhoids are incredibly common.

02:05Harvard Health says by age 50, about half of us will experience them.

02:09Other triggers include pregnancy, heavy lifting, and conditions that put extra pressure in the abdomen.

02:16So while phones in the bathroom may be a factor, it's not just the sitting.

02:21It's the straining that can really get you in trouble.

02:24With Straight Arrow News, I'm Kennedy Felton.

02:27And for more health news, head over to our website or visit san.com.

02:31For more health news, visit san.com.