Doctors Warn Against Long Toilet Sessions with Smartphones: Limit to 10 Minutes, Say Experts
Medical experts are warning against the growing habit of spending prolonged time on the toilet while using smartphones, citing serious health risks associated with the practice.
Dr. Kunal Sood, a specialist in anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine, explained that sitting on the toilet for extended periods increases pressure on rectal veins, which can lead to hemorrhoids (commonly known as piles). “Using phones on the toilet distracts people from the time they’re spending, resulting in prolonged sitting and unnecessary strain,” he said.
Supporting this view, Dr. Farah Monzur, Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Stony Brook Medicine, noted that prolonged toilet sessions can also weaken pelvic floor muscles and, in severe cases, lead to rectal prolapse.
Health professionals are now advising people to limit their toilet time to a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes. Dr. Lance Uradomo, an interventional gastroenterologist at City of Hope Orange County, emphasized that the bathroom should be kept distraction-free. “Avoid taking phones, books, or magazines to the toilet. Make the environment as uninteresting as possible to discourage lingering,” he said.
To maintain healthy bowel habits, doctors recommend a high-fiber diet, regular physical activity, and staying well-hydrated. They also advise against straining and suggest that if a bowel movement doesn’t occur within 10 minutes, one should leave and try again later.
Experts stress that what may seem like a harmless habit could lead to long-term health issues. Limiting time on the toilet and avoiding distractions are simple but effective ways to protect one’s digestive and rectal health.
