Using Phones in Toilet Raises Haemorrhoid Risk by 46%, Warns AIIMS Expert

In today’s digital lifestyle, it is common to scroll through phones while sitting on the toilet. However, health experts are sounding the alarm on this habit. According to a senior gastroenterologist from AIIMS, using a mobile phone in the toilet can increase the risk of haemorrhoids by up to 46 percent. The warning comes with a list of seven medical reasons why this everyday practice should be avoided.

As Bihar Election 2025 debates and technology updates dominate headlines, this health advisory reminds us of the dangers hidden in routine habits. The issue is not about the phone itself, but about posture, hygiene, and the long hours people spend inside bathrooms without realizing the impact on their health.

Why Phones in Toilets Are Becoming a Trend

Smartphones have become extensions of daily life. From checking messages to browsing news and watching videos, many people admit to carrying their phones into bathrooms. Surveys suggest that more than 70 percent of young adults do this regularly, turning a few minutes of relief into 15–20 minutes of scrolling.

Doctors warn that while it feels harmless, the consequences on the rectal region, digestive system, and even immunity are serious.

Medical Warning from AIIMS

The AIIMS gastroenterologist stressed that prolonged sitting in toilets creates unnecessary pressure on blood vessels in the rectum. This condition directly increases the risk of haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles.

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus, often leading to pain, bleeding, and discomfort. The doctor highlighted that toilet phone users spend more time sitting, leaning forward, and straining, which together add nearly 46 percent higher risk compared to quick, normal usage.

Seven Reasons to Avoid Phones on Toilets

Extended Sitting Time

People tend to spend extra time when distracted by phones. The longer you sit, the more stress builds up in the rectal veins.

Increased Pressure on Veins

Leaning forward while scrolling places uneven weight on the pelvic muscles and veins, accelerating the onset of haemorrhoids.

Poor Posture and Straining

Phones encourage slouching or bending. Such postures reduce blood circulation in the lower body, worsening risks of fissures and piles.

Unhygienic Conditions

Toilets are filled with bacteria. Touching phones during this time transfers germs, increasing the chance of stomach and skin infections.

Risk of Constipation

The more distracted people are, the more they delay bowel movements. This irregular emptying of bowels contributes to chronic constipation.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Constant pressure on pelvic muscles weakens them over time, which may affect urinary and reproductive health.

Mental Health Impact

Turning toilets into mini-entertainment zones increases dependency on phones. This habit can worsen anxiety, stress, and addictive behavior.

Analysis: Why the Warning Matters Now

Haemorrhoids are increasingly reported in younger populations, something uncommon two decades ago. Doctors blame sedentary lifestyles, low-fiber diets, and excessive sitting. The mobile phone has silently added another risk factor by making bathrooms an unintended entertainment space.

This warning also reflects a larger health trend: lifestyle diseases are no longer limited to food and exercise but extend to micro-habits shaped by technology.

Reactions from Doctors and Public

Medical professionals have backed the AIIMS warning, noting that awareness is low despite rising cases. General practitioners say that patients are embarrassed to discuss piles, which delays diagnosis.

On social media, reactions are mixed. Some users acknowledged guilt about using phones in toilets, while others brushed off the risks as exaggerated. But health experts insist that prevention is simple: keep phones outside and finish toilet use quickly.

Bigger Picture: Lifestyle and Public Health

India already struggles with high rates of digestive disorders. Adding phone-related toilet habits to the list means millions could face health issues in the coming decade. For public health policymakers, the warning is timely, especially in urban India where both technology use and lifestyle stress are rising.

The AIIMS expert urged people to adopt simple changes such as fiber-rich diets, hydration, exercise, and restricted phone use in sensitive spaces. Collectively, these steps can protect against haemorrhoids and related disorders.

Conclusion

Scrolling on phones during toilet time may seem harmless, but the medical evidence is clear. Spending extra minutes in unhealthy posture adds real risk to the rectal region. With haemorrhoids already on the rise, a 46 percent increase in risk is too large to ignore.

The message from AIIMS is direct: break the habit now. By leaving the phone outside the bathroom, people can protect their health, improve hygiene, and restore the toilet to its actual purpose.

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