The key facts
- The number of zoomers seeking care for hemorrhoids has doubled over several years (SHOT data)
- Risk factors cited include long toilet visits with a smartphone, sedentary lifestyle, constipation, and lack of fiber
- A study showed a +46% likelihood of hemorrhoids among those using a phone on the toilet, but it covered only 125 people and does not prove causation
Rise in visits and possible causes
The number of young Russians visiting doctors for hemorrhoids has doubled over the past few years — this is reported by Life.ru, citing SHOT. Experts name the habit of spending long periods sitting on the toilet with a smartphone as one possible cause: some patients themselves admit that symptoms appeared after they started watching short videos right on the toilet. Prolonged sitting increases the load on the blood vessels of the rectum. Additional risk factors cited include a sedentary lifestyle, frequent constipation, and a lack of dietary fiber in the diet.
Doctor's recommendations and research data
Coloproctologist Roman Sorkin recommends moving more, maintaining a proper drinking regimen and consuming enough fiber, and giving up the habit of endlessly scrolling through feeds on the toilet. According to him, if pain or blood appears, one should see a doctor, since such symptoms are not always related to hemorrhoids. The link between smartphones on the toilet and the disease was previously studied by scientists: among those who used a phone on the toilet, the likelihood of detecting hemorrhoids was 46% higher, taking into account a number of other risk factors. However, the study covered only 125 adult patients and does not prove that smartphones directly cause the disease.
Context on nutrition
Earlier, Life.ru reported on foods that can support gut health: gastroenterologist Natalya Motyleva explained that kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented foods can have a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota, whereas frequent consumption of ultra-processed food can negatively affect its composition.
