Doctor Cautions Against Everyday Bathroom Habit That Might Harm Your Health

Dr. Joe Whittington explains why this one routine behavior could have unexpected health risks.

If you’re in the habit of using your phone while on the toilet, you might be harming your health without even realizing it.

These quick bathroom breaks often stretch out longer as we scroll through social media or pass the time, sometimes because it’s tough to get things moving.

However, spending too much time on the toilet may do more than just make your legs go numb.

One doctor is warning that this habit could actually lead to health problems.

In today’s world, with so many people taking their phones to the bathroom to catch up on videos or send out tweets, it’s almost become normal.

In fact, a poll from Vioguard, Inc. showed that 73 percent of people admitted to using their phone in the bathroom, whether sitting on the toilet or standing at a urinal, with 93 percent of those between ages 18 and 29 also fessing up to this habit.

Scrolling on the toilet can come with consequencesGetty Stock Image

But according to experts, this habit could lead to blood pooling in an area where you definitely don’t want it.

Dr. Joe Whittington, who shares medical advice online as Dr. Joe MD, posted a TikTok video explaining why sitting on the toilet too long can be harmful.

He shared that this habit can cause blood to gather around the anus, which can lead to hemorrhoids.

He warned his followers, “I tell my patients that prolonged sitting on the toilet causes blood to pool in your anal veins, which may cause hemorrhoids to form, so you’re best to not spend time sitting and scrolling.”

And added, “Get off that toilet seat!”

The Mayo Clinic describes hemorrhoids, also known as piles, as “swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum.”

The site explains further: “Hemorrhoids are similar to varicose veins. Hemorrhoids can develop inside the rectum, called internal hemorrhoids. They also can develop under the skin around the anus, called external hemorrhoids.”

The Mayo Clinic also notes that prolonged sitting and scrolling on the toilet is a common cause of hemorrhoids.

According to the clinic, “The veins around the anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell.”

“Haemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to sitting for long periods of time, especially on the toilet.”

But sitting isn’t the only cause for hemorrhoids.

They can also develop from straining during bowel movements, obesity, chronic diarrhea or constipation, a low-fiber diet, lifting heavy items, or even from anal sexual intercourse.

Sitting for extended periods on the toilet can lead to blood pooling, potentially causing an “external hemorrhoid to form a clot, known as a thrombus.”

The Mayo Clinic explains that a thrombosed hemorrhoid can bring on intense pain, swelling, inflammation, and in severe cases, lead to a strangulated hemorrhoid, which is extremely painful.

In response to Dr. Joe’s video, viewers began sharing their reactions, with some humorously hinting they were watching the clip from the toilet themselves.

One person commented, “I can’t do S**T in peace.”

Another added, “You’re not gonna believe how I’m watching this rn.”

And someone else joked, “How does the blood know I’m on the toilet tho.”

Others questioned why sitting on a toilet is any different from sitting on a chair.

Well, unless your chair has a hole in the middle and gravity can work on your lower body in the same way, you probably have your answer.