Sitting on a toilet with a phone in hand creates a perfect storm of stillness, poor posture, and downward pressure. Over time, this can even lead to thrombosed hemorrhoids—clots that are excruciatingly painful and may require surgical removal.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids cause intense swelling, sharp pain, and inflammation that interferes with daily life. In rare cases, they may even become strangulated, cutting off blood flow and leading to emergency medical treatment.
Many users who saw Dr. Joe’s video joked that they were watching it while on the toilet themselves. But the humor didn’t overshadow the warning for others, who said they’d be changing their habits immediately.
One viewer laughed, “You’re not going to believe how I’m watching this right now,” while another asked, “How does the blood know I’m on the toilet though?” The answers, it turns out, are rooted in anatomy and gravity.
Unlike a couch or office chair, a toilet seat suspends your lower body in a position that leaves your veins unsupported. That means gravity pulls harder on the area, increasing the risk of blood pooling where it shouldn’t.
This is why experts are urging people to keep bathroom breaks brief and avoid bringing devices with them. It’s also a good reason to increase fiber in your diet and improve hydration, which makes bowel movements easier and quicker.
