We all do it, but it can have serious health risks.
Our phone practically accompanies us everywhere – even to the toilet, where, although we often don’t even notice it, we spend much more time on it than we would like. Scrolling, playing games, replying to messages and reading the news while sitting on the throne is completely natural for most people, but experts have long voiced the health risks of the practice.
For example, going to the toilet for a long time due to talking on the phone increases the risk of inflammation of hemorrhoids, which can have painful and unpleasant consequences.
“Exertion from sitting and rolling causes an excess of blood in the hemorrhoids, which can result in pain, swelling, and bleeding.”
– said Dr. Karen Zaghiyan, colon specialist surgeon.
If we take our cell phone with us to the toilet, the germs in the room can easily stick to it and then transfer from the device to our hands. A 2017 study revealed that E. coli and other health-damaging microbes were present on the phones of high school students.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) in England, these bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps and sometimes fever in most cases, but more serious complications can also occur. The institution’s report revealed that approximately half of those infected developed bloody diarrhea, which was linked to approximately 5,500 deaths between 2015 and 2016.
Overall, therefore, it is worth reducing the time spent on the phone while going to the toilet – for example, a pre-set timer of, say, a maximum of 15 minutes can undoubtedly help with this – and it is also advisable to wipe and disinfect our mobile phone at intervals, at least once a week, but if possible, once a day. It is equally important to wash your hands properly: according to experts, use soap for at least 20 seconds.
Source: www.pcwplus.hu
