Poop in peace: Experts warn against using your phone in the loo

It’s something many of us are guilty of – using our phone in the toilet. But experts ware warning about the very real health risks associated with the mundane task

For starters spending too much unnecessary time on the toilet can put a strain on your rectum, causing haemorrhoids or piles

Using your phone can also lead to germs from your faeces being transferred onto your device, and ultimately back on to your hands.

PILES AND FECAL CROSS CONTAMINATION

According to GP Dr Sarah Jarvis, scrolling through your phone for long lengths of time in the toiler can directly lead to the development of painful haemorrhoids.

This puts excessive strain on your lower rectum which causes the veins in and around the anus to swell and become irritated.

She told The Sun Online: “While in the past, some of us took a good book into the toilet with us, these days it’s more likely to be the ever-present mobile phone. So tempting while it may be to scroll through your apps while you’re waiting to perform, doctors don’t recommend it”.

Using your phone in the toilet can also lead to bacteria from your faeces – and the faeces of others – being transmitted to your mouth!

And constipation can have a ripple effect on your health, too.

He added: “You might experience nausea, heartburn, bloating or reflux. If your stool becomes impacted and you can’t move your bowels by yourself, then a doctor will need to get it out via an enema.”

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