You might think the phone was the only one to blame, but the truth is there's another bad habit that could increase the risk of hemorrhoids. The best thing is to be careful and understand what you're doing to avoid trouble.
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27/07/2026
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O risk of hemorrhoids may be higher when you spend too much time on your phone when you go to the bathroom and sit in the toilet. However, there is one more habit that can raise the risk and make you sit for more minutes.
HuffPost spoke to experts in the field to understand what is at stake and the habit and habit that may be at the root of this problem. In addition to the mobile phone, there may be another habit that increases the minutes you sit in the toilet, which increases the pressure in the blood vessels and causes this problem.
Hemorrhoids: The bad habit that increases risk
“Hemorrhoids are blood vessels dilated in the lower rectum and anus. Although all of them have these blood vessels, they only become symptomatic when they are dilated or inflamed, which may occur due to several factors,” gastroenterologist David L. Schwarzbaum said.
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“ A common cause is sitting in the toilet for a long time. This is because, when the buttocks are in the toilet seat space, the blood accumulates at the lowest point and causes increased pressure in the anus blood vessels, which leads to the appearance of hemorrhoids”, continued.
So it might not just be the cell phone that keeps you in this position for a long time. O reading magazines or books may also be the source of this problem. That way, it's more of a habit to avoid going to the bathroom.
“Sitting for a prolonged period can impair blood flow to and from the rectal region, which leads to the accumulation of blood in the veins, which causes swelling,” explains Prasun Shah, also a gastroenterologist.
Too much force is also the source of this problem. “Trying to force stool also increases blood vessel pressure and is another common cause of hemorrhoids. I usually advise my patients to go to the bathroom when they feel like it, avoiding effort. If you cannot relieve yourself at that moment, get up and try again later, when you feel like it”, says Prasun Shah.
The ideal time to sit in the toilet
Thus, it is important not to remain in the toilet for long periods of time. The expert reveals how many minutes can be considered normal. More than that could increase the risk.
“I usually recommend limiting the evacuations to a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes to reduce the risk of hemorrhoids. I also advise you to avoid using a mobile phone or reading for long periods in the toilet. If you need a break from the outside world, sit in the toilet, but with the lid closed.