Habits Of Playing Phones In Toilets Can Trigger Hemorrhoids, Study Reveals Facts

JAKARTA - Many people take the habit of bringing cell phones to the toilet for granted. In fact, this activity without realizing it can have a negative impact on health.

Sitting for too long in the air because playing gadgets can put pressure on blood vessels in the anus area, which in the end increases the risk of hemorrhoids or ambeiens.

A recent study published in PLoS One found that 46 percent of people who use cell phones in toilets are more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems based on the results of the coronascopy examination.

"This study is very timely because the use of mobile phones seems to be everywhere," said Gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, USA, Brian C. Jacobson, MD, MPH.

Jacobson added that the problem is not on the cellphone itself, but the habit of sitting too long in the toilet. Even reading newspapers or other reading materials in the bathroom can have a similar effect.

In this study, experts analyzed the habit of patients doing colonoscopic at Beth Israel72ess Medical Center. A total of 125 people aged 45 years were surveyed for the habit of using cell phones while in the toilet, then the results were compared to their collonoscopy examination.

The survey showed 66 percent of respondents (83 people) admitted that they often used smartphones in toilets. This group is about seven years younger than non-users, and tends to have lower physical activity. From the results of the examination, 43 percent of participants experienced a clear hemoroid or hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoids themselves are conditions when the veins around the anus swell, cause pain, and bleeding. Some appear outside (external), some are inside the anus (internal).

The study's senior author, Goodminton Pasricha, MD, MPH, explained that both users and non-users of mobile phones have similar risk factors, such as constipation or straining. However, striking differences can be seen in their duration of sitting on the toilet.

Taking into account other factors such as gender and history of constipation, the researchers concluded that smartphone users risk 46 percent higher being exposed to hemorrhoids than those who don't use cell phones when defecating.

Even so, this study has not been able to confirm with certainty whether the habit of playing cellphones in toilets is the cause of direct hemorrhoids. Experts emphasize the need for further studies on a larger scale to strengthen these findings.