Britons have been warned that bathroom scrolling might be doing more harm to their health than they'd think, potentially disrupting their gut.
A study published in PLOS One back in September found that people who use their smartphones on the loo face a 46 per cent higher chance of developing haemorrhoids compared to those who leave their devices elsewhere.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the US, led by Chethan Ramprasad, examined 125 adults and discovered a clear link between phone use and this uncomfortable condition.
Haemorrhoids - swollen veins in the anal or rectal area that can cause pain and bleeding - are a significant health burden, with nearly four million doctor or emergency room visits each year and healthcare costs topping $800million annually in the US alone.
Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anal or rectal area that can cause pain and bleeding
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While there has been plenty of anecdotal chatter about phones and toilet troubles, proper research has been scarce until now.
The latest study examined adults undergoing screening colonoscopies, inquiring about their lifestyle and bathroom habits through online surveys, while specialists assessed them for haemorrhoids.
Two-thirds of those surveyed admitted to using their phones while on the toilet, and these users tended to be younger.
The findings revealed that phone users spent considerably longer sitting down than those without devices.
A whopping 37 per cent of smartphone users stayed on the loo for more than five minutes at a time, compared to just seven per cent of non-users.
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When scientists ask respondents what they were doing on their phones, reading the news and scrolling through social media topped the list.
The researchers believe this extended sitting time increases pressure in anal tissues, which may then trigger haemorrhoids.
Trisha Pasricha, the study's senior author, had some straightforward advice: "This study bolsters advice to people in general to leave the smartphones outside the bathroom and to try to spend no more than a few minutes to have a bowel movement."
She added: "It's incredibly easy to lose track of time when we're scrolling on our smartphones – popular apps are designed entirely for that purpose."
Pasricha noted that while more research is needed, it's a safe bet to simply leave your phone outside when you need to go.
The team hopes their findings will help doctors give better guidance to patients.
Haemorrhoids: Prevention and symptoms
Many people have them without even realising, as they don't always cause symptoms.
When symptoms do appear, they can include bleeding after going to the loo, itching, lumps around the anus, and general soreness or swelling.
Doom scrolling on the loo could hike your risk of haemorrhoids by 46%
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The good news is that symptoms often clear up on their own or with over-the-counter treatments from the pharmacy.
Prevention comes down to some simple lifestyle changes. Eating more fibre through fruits, vegetables and wholegrain foods helps keep things moving smoothly. Staying hydrated, exercising regularly and not ignoring the urge to go are all recommended.
And of course, keeping bathroom visits brief – phone-free – appears to be wise advice too.
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