Doctor issues warning about using your phone while on the toilet

Do you like scrolling through your messages while you're on the toilet?

According to stats from YouGov, a whopping 57% of people admit to using their device while on the loo.

Although it can feel like a great time to catch up with texts, one doctor warned why it's not a good thing to do.

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Colorectal surgeon Dr Karen Zaghiyan told Healthline: "Hemorrhoids are a collection of veins in and out of the anus.

"Everyone has hemorrhoids. We are born with them."

Using a phone on the toilet is a common thing to do as nine out of 10 admit to taking their device to the bathroom.

But it could cause health issues if you're guilty of it.

She added: "The act of sitting and straining as you scroll can 'cause the haemorrhoids to engorge with blood, causing symptoms such as pain, swelling or bleeding'."

Although there's no scientific evidence of this yet, a clinical trial is ongoing.

Bacteria is also another reason why you shouldn't carry your phone to the toilet.

It's likely the phone will become contaminated, transferring the germs to your hands.

A 2017 study found high school students' cell phones can harbour E.coli and other microbes that can make you really sick.

According to the NHS, the bacteria can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever with around half of people having bloody diarrhoea.

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It was also responsible for 5,500 NHS patient deaths in the 2015/16 financial year.

Only one in 20 of people clean their phone every six months or less and they're dirtier than the toilet seat or flush.

Dr Marcos Del Rosario, a urologist at Clinic CERACOM in Campeche, Mexico, told Healthline that washing hands is key.

He added: "Grown adults still don't know how to wash their hands. I see it all the time in public bathrooms."

And people should only sit on the throne for as long as the actual urge lasts.

Dr Karen concluded: "If a bowel movement is not produced after a couple minutes on the john, don't force it.

"Instead, get up and go do something else. When you have the urge to go again, you may return to the toilet."

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