Prolonged Toilet Time & Hemorrhoids: Doctors Advise a Two TikTok Limit
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A growing body of evidence suggests a link between extended time spent on the toilet – often fueled by smartphone use – and an increased risk of developing hemorrhoids, commonly known as piles. New research indicates that individuals who bring their phones to the lavatory are significantly more likely to experience this painful condition.
Doctors are now advising a simple solution: limit your scrolling. Specifically, a “two TikTok limit” is being suggested as a way to curtail excessive time spent on the toilet.
The preliminary findings, stemming from a study examining 125 individuals undergoing colonoscopies, prompted medical professionals to caution against prolonged bathroom breaks. “Leave your smartphone outside because when you go in you have just one job, and you should focus on that job,” explained Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “If the magic hasn’t happened within five minutes, you should get up and go. Take a breather and come back.”
The Link Between Screen Time and Piles
Researchers found that those who used their phones while on the toilet spent considerably more time in the bathroom. Specifically, 37% of “toilet scrollers” remained seated for over five minutes, compared to just 7% of those who left their devices behind. After accounting for established risk factors like age, inactivity, and a low-fiber diet, the study revealed that individuals who scrolled on their phones while using the toilet were 46% more likely to develop hemorrhoids.
The prolonged pressure exerted during extended sitting can weaken connective tissues and cause anal veins to engorge, ultimately leading to the development of piles. “If you’re just hanging out there in the open, this passive pressure will eventually, over time, cause the connective tissue to weaken and cause those veins to engorge,” Dr. Pasricha stated.
The TikTok Effect: A Modern Problem
While reading material in the bathroom is nothing new, experts believe the addictive nature of modern smartphone apps – particularly platforms like TikTok and Instagram – exacerbates the problem. “The whole business model of these apps is to make you lose track of time,” Dr. Pasricha noted. “Our pre-TikTok ancestors were just reading a newspaper or whatever they could find. It wasn’t distracting to the same level.”
This concern extends to younger generations. A continuing study of college students has revealed that nearly all admit to bringing their phones to the bathroom, raising fears that teenagers may develop hemorrhoids at a younger age than previous generations.
Prevalence and Treatment of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids affect up to 25% of adults, and while many cases resolve on their own or with minimal treatment, the condition can be debilitating. In the UK alone, over 20,000 surgical procedures are performed annually to address severe cases.
For those struggling to disconnect, Dr. Pasricha offers a pragmatic solution: “Set a two TikTok limit.” The key, she emphasizes, is to avoid getting lost in endless scrolling and losing sight of the original purpose of the bathroom visit. “What you shouldn’t be doing is getting so trapped in this cycle of scrolling and watching TikTok that you lose track of why you came here in the first place.”
