Doctor issues serious health warning to people who scroll on their phones while sat on toilet

A doctor has issued a serious health warning to those who sit and scroll on their phones while on the porcelain throne.

While you’re probably sitting on it right now reading this story, there’s a reason why you should refrain from bringing a device anywhere near the bathroom in future.

According to a Stanford and Harvard trained gastroenterologist (he’s an expert-expert), it could pose some dangers to your health.

Dr. Saurabh Sethi regularly posts TikToks for his followers, warning them about little-known issues that your body might encounter, as well as debunking medical myths.

This time, however, he’s getting anal about anuses.

According to him, scrolling on your phone on the loo can cause ‘strain’ on your rectum, and that’s not good news.

He explained: “First, using your phone while doing number two can lead to prolonged sitting on the toilet, which can cause strain and pressure on your rectum and anus.”

Why is it so bad, I hear you ask in a hushed tone from your office’s lavatory?

“This can lead to issues such as haemorrhoids, anal fissures and rectal prolapse,” he shared.

Haemorrhoids are quite common, and they can be pretty painful too.

According to the NHS, they are also known as piles, and ‘are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom’.

While they may not cause symptoms, sometimes they can be itchy, irritated, painful, cause a mucus discharge after you pass a stool and they can even become strangulated, causing immense pain.

While anal fissures are similar, they instead are a crack or tear in the lining of your anal canal, and are also sore for your bum.

But Sethi revealed that a rectal prolapse could be on the cards if you s(h)it and scroll, making it a danger to your health.

Bupa UK states that this happens when ‘the end of your bowel (your rectum) slides out through your anus’, and it may require surgery.

“Another issue is that it can be a breeding ground for bacteria,” the doctor said.

“Studies have found that an average smartphone is dirtier than a public toilet seat, so try avoiding scrolling while on the toilet,” he added.

If you absolutely must have your phone, he said: “But if you can’t help it, at least have a disinfectant wipe around to clean the phone after you’re done with the business.”

In the comments, of course there were those openly admitting to sitting on the toilet while watching the clip.

One user wrote: "I am watching this video sitting in toilet," as another said: "Lemmi forward this to my hubby."

But this isn’t the only thing he’s been warning people about. In fact, he’s got strict advice when it comes to drinking diet fizzy drinks.

Okay, put your drink down and then read this next section.

He said: "Are diet sodas any better than regular sodas? Here are four facts you might not know.

"First, women who drink two or more diet sodas daily face a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Second; the high phosphorus content in diet sodas can contribute to chronic kidney disease."

And the third?

“Diet sodas can negatively impact insulin sensitivity and disrupt gut microbiome; affecting your gut health,” he said, before adding: "Fourth, they can increase cravings for high calorie foods, disrupting appetite control. Ultimately, diet sodas offer no nutritional benefits."

So, maybe lay off the diet fizz...