We are all guilty of doing things we should not really be doing, whether it’s spending that extra 10 minutes in bed instead of getting up for work, or stealing an extra slice of cake after dinner.
However, there are some habits we might pick up that can actually harm our health. One example is playing games on your phone while on the toilet, as there are actually hidden dangers of spending too long on the lavvy.
It’s so tempting to take your phone with you when you go to the toilet for a sit down. All that browsing, scrolling and gaming can make the time fly, though, and one expert says the risks of loo-loitering are all too real.
“Some people might see a long visit to the bathroom as a chance to spend time on their phones,” says Serge Eliseeff, CEO of GameTop. “It’s quiet time, after all, and you probably won’t be disturbed. But turning a three-minute visit to the loo into a leg- numbing 15-minute online hang-out isn’t remotely good for you.”
Serge has revealed why overdoing your time on the pan shouldn’t be the done thing.
“You might scoff at hearing that prolonged toilet time can harm your health,” Serge explained. “But the science – physiology, actually – tells a different story.
“Evidence shows that spending too long doing your business, while you game or hit social media on your phone, is connected to a serious risk of haemorrhoids and weakening pelvic muscles.”
Sitting on an open toilet seat will compress your buttocks unless you’re quick about it, or you hover. The posture tends to lower your rectum too far – especially if you relax, which you will likely do if you’re distracted by your phone. Gravity then goes to work, pulling the bottom part of your body downwards.
This, and the restriction of the toilet seat on your hamstrings, can slow or stop your blood circulation. That can cause the veins around the anus and lower rectum to swell and to become engorged with blood, increasing the risk of haemorrhoids.
So, what’s the optimum dunny time? Research suggests spending a maximum of 10 minutes sitting on the toilet – but that doesn’t mean you should ever rush things.
Straining when pooing feels bad because it is bad, the expert cautioned. When you strain, you are massively increasing your blood pressure in your basement. This pressure can cause haemorrhoids to form and build.
In the process of straining or loitering, you might be damaging your anorectal organs and your pelvic floor. Too much time spent in this way can lead to acute constipation, and even increase the risk of rectal prolapse.
“The answer is simple,” Serge assured. “Unless there is an emergency, don’t take your phone with you when you go to the loo for a number two.
“If you have difficulty being without your phone for a few minutes, you might want to reconsider your relationship with your device. If you have difficulty going to the loo for a successful sit down, please speak to a medical professional about the issue. It’s easy to fix… just choose a better time to game – and always game responsibly!”
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