The Medical Advisor

(CNN) - Let’s be honest — people have a habit of bringing their phones to the bathroom. I’ve been guilty of it myself, and chances are that someone is on the toilet reading this article right now. A three-minute trip to the loo can easily turn into 15 minutes of reading, scrolling and posting. It might seem a harmless way to pass the time but experts warn that what they call prolonged sitting on the toilet can harm your health. It’s even been connected to an increased risk of hemorrhoids and weakened pelvic muscles, said Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. “When patients present to me with complaints, one of the main areas we have to delve deeply into is spending a lot of time on the toilet,” Xue said. Here’s what is going on when you overstay your toilet time. Potty problems from sitting too long People should spend an average of five to 10 minutes on the john, according to Dr. Farah Monzur, an assistant professor of ...

One of the most surreal yet unforgettable events during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was the nationwide shortage of toilet paper. When lockdown restrictions were implemented in March 2020 and citizens were told to stock up on essentials, many people immediately went to their nearest supermarkets to hoard toilet paper, creating a massive shortage that lasted for months. However, others decided to do something smart instead — they purchased bidets. In a CNN article,1 James Lin, founder of bidetking.com, a website that sells various types of bidets and accessories, says they sold out all their bidets during the pandemic, which helped their business grow exponentially. And each year, their sales grow at least 20% to 30%, pointing to the increasing awareness about this handy bathroom device. The Origins of the Bidet — An 18th Century Invention A bidet works by aiming a small stream of water around your nether regions to rinse off any fecal material left after a bowel movement. Althoug...