It can feel impossible to tear ourselves away from our phones. That becomes a problem when we can’t even part with them during bathroom visits.
Can Scrolling on the Toilet Really Be Dangerous?
How dangerous is it to use your smartphone on the toilet? Well, besides the fact that it is deeply unhygienic, you may pass out and become paralyzed. In 2014, The Mary Sue reported that a man who was supposedly perfectly healthy fainted and became paralyzed (allegedly). He had been on the phone while on the toilet. According to BroBible, the man’s father reported the diagnosis as cerebral edema and brain herniation. Scrolling was not the main reason (that would be oxygen deprivation). But the lack of circulation while not moving for 30 minutes may have contributed.
Why You Might Feel Faint When You Finally Stand Up
I know, I know, that example seems extreme. But no one wants to be the exception in a story like that. And granted, reports say the man was also in a tight area with sparse ventilation. But fainting while sitting too long on the toilet can also happen even in a well-ventilated space. This is due to postural hypotension, also known as orthostatic hypotension. And, in fact, one neuroscientist theorized that was what happened to the man in 2014. According to the American Family Physician, 5% of middle aged adults and 20% of older adults have OH. Society generally considers middle age to be 40-59, and AFP defines older adults as 60 and over. This means that their blood pressure tends to drop when they transition from sitting to standing.
Straining Takes a Toll on Your Pelvic Floor
Sitting on the toilet too long is also not a good idea if you want to maintain pelvic floor health. As Real Simple notes, straining to have a bowel movement will also strain pelvic floor muscles.
Hemorrhoids and Rectal Prolapse
Sitting on the toilet for extended periods of time and straining to have a bowel movement may cause hemorrhoids. You can irritate and put pressure on your veins when straining. You could also increase your risk of rectal prolapse. Rectal prolapse is when you can actually view your rectum. Why it happens is a mystery. But according to Health.com, “structural problems with nerves or muscles in the pelvic region and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract likely play a role.”
How to Make Bowel Movements Easier
You can pass bowel movements more easily by adding more fiber and water, says The Mayo Clinic. You should also go when you have the urge rather than ignoring it. Go even if that means using a public restroom. Heck, I even joke around with my patients that I’ll poop on a plane if I have to! Don’t mess around when the urge comes a calling. Waiting will only make it more difficult to pass a BM later on.
When the Phone Is the Real Problem
Maybe you aren’t struggling with constipation. But social media sucks you into its black hole when you’re on the toilet. If so, you may need to speak with a mental health professional.
Make the Bathroom a Screen-Free Zone
Remember that the toilet isn’t a place to hang out. It’s a place to have a bodily function. It may be hard to pause that video game or stop texting your friend while on the throne. But the consequences of sitting there too long simply aren’t worth risking. There are many places that we already consider screen-free zones. The sidewalk, so we don’t bump into people. The car, so we can concentrate on the road. The ocean or pool, so we can focus on swimming. Your job, so you can lock in on work. The bathroom is simply another one to add to the list. Think of it not as a punishment but as a relaxing vacation away from your smartphone. Chances are, you could use it!
