Oh, don’t pretend you don’t do it. Most of us are guilty of scrolling through social media, catching up on messages, or even answering emails while sitting on the toilet. After all, what else is there to do while you’re waiting? But hold the phone—literally. Bringing your smartphone into the bathroom might be a common habit, but it could be doing more harm than good.

According to Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at Stanford and Harvard, took to social media platform TikTok to share why using your phone in the bathroom can have serious, often overlooked, health consequences.

Are there any dangers of Prolonged Toilet Time?

In a video posted to TikTok, Dr Sethi warned about the dangers of scrolling on the toilet, noting that sitting for extended periods can have adverse effects on your health, particularly on your rectum and anus. This is because using your phone tends to keep you seated for much longer than necessary, leading to potential problems in your lower digestive region.

“First, using your phone while doing number two can lead to prolonged sitting on the toilet, which can cause strain and pressure on your rectum and anus,” explains Dr Sethi. This excessive strain has been shown to increase the risk of various health conditions, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and even rectal prolapse.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common issues associated with long periods of sitting on the toilet. These swollen veins or blood vessels around the anus can be painful and are often the result of too much pressure from straining or sitting. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, they affect millions and can be a real source of discomfort, causing pain, itching, and in some cases, bleeding.

Another problem is anal fissures, which are cracks or tears in the lining of the anal canal. These can develop due to the same excessive straining that leads to hemorrhoids. Cleveland Clinic reports that anal fissures can be incredibly painful and may require medical treatment if they don’t heal on their own. More concerning is the risk of rectal prolapse, a condition in which the rectum sags or protrudes from the anus due to weakened pelvic muscles. This condition is less common but more serious, sometimes requiring a surgical procedure to correct. According to Penn Medicine, rectal prolapse is often associated with chronic straining or prolonged time spent on the toilet.

Third reason and most compelling is that when we use mobile phones while pooping we are unable to defecate fully i.e. defecation is said to happens in three phases- the first major dump which amounts to 60% occurs during the initial few minutes of sitting is the undigested food, the next 30% reportedly occurs when the body pushes out digested waste further and the last 10% is the final defecation.

But when we start using our phones by the second stroke, our brain loses the focus from the defecation to the phone and so the 20-30% remaining waste sits in. And it is only after you shower and breakfast that you begin to get the urge to visit the washroom once!

Not Just Your Body Phones Can Be a Bacterial Playground too

Aside from the physical strain, there’s another uninviting downside to bringing your phone into the bathroom: bacteria. According to Dr. Sethi, “it can be a breeding ground for bacteria.” Studies have shown that the average smartphone is actually dirtier than a public toilet seat. Given that bathroom surfaces are exposed to various types of bacteria, including E. coli and other pathogens, handling your phone there can make it a hotbed for germs. Every time you scroll, tap, or swipe in the bathroom, you could be transferring bacteria to your phone—and potentially to your hands, face, and even food later on.

Even if you don’t directly notice it, bringing your phone into the bathroom and neglecting to sanitize it afterward can lead to increased exposure to harmful bacteria. Dr. Sethi recommends cleaning your phone with a disinfectant wipe if you can’t resist the urge to use it in the bathroom. This simple habit can help reduce bacterial contamination and lower your risk of illness.

Why Sitting and Scrolling videos is Harmful?

While experts don’t yet have definitive studies specifically linking phone use on the toilet to hemorrhoids or other digestive issues, they agree that prolonged sitting itself is a risk factor. Experts explain that the problem isn’t necessarily the phone, but rather the extended amount of time people end up spending on the toilet because of it. Engrossed in a social media feed or a news article, we tend to linger far longer than the necessary few minutes required for a bowel movement. Over time, this habit of prolonged sitting can lead to hemorrhoid issues.

The pressure caused by extended sitting can cause the veins in the rectum to engorge with blood, leading to swelling, discomfort, and even bleeding in severe cases. If a bowel movement doesn’t happen within a few minutes, experts suggest that it’s best to get up, walk around, and return only when the urge arises again.

Dr Sethi and other health experts suggest that spending anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes on the toilet should suffice. Anything beyond that might be an indication of constipation or simply a sign that you’re spending too much time there. Setting a timer may help if you’re someone who tends to lose track of time with your phone in hand. The goal is to avoid sitting, straining, and scrolling unnecessarily.

So the next time you head to the bathroom, consider leaving your phone behind. Reducing the temptation to scroll may save you from discomfort and even potential medical issues in the long run.

I’ve never needed much sleep to feel refreshed. While most of my friends groan without their full 8 hours and reach for coffee before conversations, I’ve always felt perfectly fine—sometimes even better—after just four or five hours of shut-eye.

For years, I had thought that I was merely the "odd one out," a person with an offbeat sleeping pattern always harming my body maybe but now it appears, there could be a genetic explanation for why individuals like myself are programmed this way. Scientists found a rare gene mutation in a gene known as SIK3 that enables some of us to function just fine on less sleep. No drowsiness. No foggy brain. No side effects.

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem superhuman on minimal sleep, or secretly hoped there was a way to train your body to do the same, this discovery might just hold the answers. Let’s explore what makes natural short sleepers tick—and whether this sleep “superpower” is something the rest of us can unlock too.

For years, sleep specialists have repeated the same mantra: adults require a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night to maintain mental acuity, immune function, and cardiovascular health. Long-term sleep deprivation has long been associated with higher risks of obesity, Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure, and even premature death. But what if some people are genetically predisposed to perform best on only four hours of sleep?

Recent scientific studies have put this astounding phenomenon under the limelight with a stunning finding: an exceptional gene mutation, SIK3-N783Y, that makes some individuals what scientists have coined as natural short sleepers.

Who Are These Super Sleepers?

A natural short sleeper (NSS) is one who sleeps four to six hours every night but wakes up feeling refreshed and ready to go—without the help of coffee or the typical symptoms of sleep deprivation. They are not sleep-deprived; their bodies simply need less sleep than others.

This fascinating sleep pattern has puzzled scientists for decades, but thanks to a recent study by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the enigma is starting to lift. Their results, which were published in a peer-reviewed journal, indicate a rare gene mutation in the salt-induced kinase 3 (SIK3) gene.

Can You Really Survive—and Thrive on Just 4 Hours of Sleep?

The scientists discovered that the N783Y mutation in the SIK3 gene alters the SIK3 protein structure. This alteration affects the protein's function to transfer phosphate molecules, an essential component of the chemical signaling that governs our internal sleep-wake cycles.

In order to better analyze this effect, researchers created genetically modified mice that had the same mutation. Such mice slept around 30 minutes less per night than regular mice, and even less when deprived of sleep. Surprisingly, these differences weren't associated with the amount of proteins in the brain—but rather, with the way the proteins worked.

Furthermore, mutant mice had higher delta wave activity on EEG readings—a sign of deep, restorative sleep. This reinforces the theory that the mutation doesn't merely cut short sleep, it makes it more effective.

This is not the first time that scientists have associated genetics with sleep duration. Several years back, one mother and daughter who claimed to require just six hours of sleep at night without ever getting tired were discovered to carry a mutation in a gene linked with the circadian clock, our internal sleep- timing mechanism.

So far, scientists have discovered at least five mutations in four genes that affect sleep duration. But the newly found SIK3 mutation is particularly intriguing because it directly affects biochemical pathways that can now be targeted in the future development of drugs.

How Does this Gene Affect Sleep Medicine?

The applications of this research are vast. By knowing what enables natural short sleepers to feel rested on less time, researchers can start working on the development of treatments to improve sleep quality—not by lengthening time, but by increasing the efficacy of the hours we do spend sleeping.

"This discovery deepens our knowledge of the genetic basis of sleep," researchers said, highlighting the mutation's promise in leading to precision sleep medicine—focused treatments that modify sleep regulation systems at the molecular level.

Natural Short Sleep vs. Sleep Deprivation

Natural short sleep is a genetically controlled, rare condition in which people perform best with only 4–6 hours of sleep. In contrast to sleep-deprived individuals, they rise feeling rested, with no hint of exhaustion or mental slowness. This is not about "toughing it out" on fewer z's—it's simply the way their bodies are biologically programmed to require less. Sleep deprivation has an impact on mood, memory, immunity, and cardiovascular health. Long-term sleep deprivation has been known to increase disease risks like Alzheimer's or cardiovascular disease. Thus, when natural short sleepers are prospering, the rest of us should not try to replicate their sleep.

Why Most People Still Need 7 to 9 Hours of Sleep?

Most people still require 7 to 9 hours of sleep because it maintains critical functions such as memory consolidation, emotion regulation, immune function, and cell repair. Sleep removes toxins from the brain and re-sets the body's biological clocks for the day ahead. Sleeping less than required on a regular basis can hamper concentration, decision-making, and metabolism and result in long-term dangers including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Although a small group of people have a genetic mutation that enables them to survive on less sleep, the rest of us are not so hardwired and require sufficient sleep to maintain physical, mental, and emotional health.

Why You Shouldn't Deprive Yourself of Sleep?

Before you begin reducing your sleep time, it's important to observe, natural short sleep is different from sleep deprivation. The majority of us cannot just train ourselves to be short sleepers. For most people, trying to sleep just four hours a night results in cognitive impairments, memory loss, compromised immunity, and long-term health problems.

Rather than copying the sleep habits of the genetically fortunate few, experts advise taking efforts at sleep hygiene:

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
• Avoid caffeine and heavy meals in the evening.
• Make the sleeping environment cool, dark, and quiet.
• Limit screen use before bedtime.
• Deal with stress through meditation or journaling.

While the discovery of the SIK3-N783Y mutation may not mean much for your sleep schedule today, it opens exciting doors for future treatments and a deeper understanding of how our bodies regulate rest. It also highlights the fascinating diversity of human biology—some people are literally wired to need less sleep, and now, we’re beginning to understand why.

So, if you wake up feeling great on only a few hours of sleep each night, science may one day validate that you're one of a select, genetically privileged few. In the meantime, shoot for that 7-9 hour mark your body and mind will appreciate it.

Mandy Geyman, a mom and an influencer on Instagram, who goes by @warriormamamandy with 4k followers has posted a video revealing a rare type of breast cancer that she was diagnosed with while she was pregnant with her child.

She revealed that one day she got out of a shower and noticed a rash on her breasts. When she asked her OB/GYN, she was told that maybe it could have been an infection or that her milk ducts were clogged, so it was leaking. She was then prescribed antibiotic, however, it did not stop the rash. She continued the antibiotics for a total of three weeks, but things got worse, her skin started to look scaly.

When she again went for a check-up, she was asked to get a biopsy done, which revealed that she had a rare type of breast cancer, called inflammatory breast cancer. She was told that it is an aggressive form of breast cancer and that she would have to undergo chemo while she is pregnant.

She revealed that she underwent chemotherapy 13 times while she was pregnant and the child was growing inside her. While the baby was born healthy, she was suggested to undergo mastectomy, which was one of the toughest decision, as she had a baby to breast feed. She was then suggested to go through radiation and finally told to get her ovaries removed, because her cancer was fueled by hormones. This has led to early menopause, and so she revealed that she is now undergoing menopause symptoms at 33, including hot flashes.

What Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

As per the BreastCancer.org inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and fast-growing form of invasive breast cancer that differs significantly in its symptoms and treatment from more common types.

While it usually begins in the milk ducts—like many breast cancers—it doesn’t typically form a lump. Instead, cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, causing redness, swelling, and inflammation that give the disease its name.

IBC is uncommon, accounting for just 1% to 5% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute. A 2020 study found that 20% to 40% of IBC cases are triple-negative, meaning they lack estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors—making them more challenging to treat.

Common symptoms of IBC include:

• Swelling, heaviness, or a thickened feeling in the breast
• Redness, warmth, or rash-like appearance
• Skin changes such as dimpling or pitting, resembling an orange peel
• Breast discoloration (red, pink, or bruised)
• Welts, hives, or visible skin changes
• Flattened or inverted nipple
• Pain, tenderness, burning, or itching in the breast
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone

If you notice sudden changes in your breast’s appearance or texture, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly, as IBC can progress rapidly.

If boosting your endurance at the gym, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing sexual performance are on your health agenda, you might be considering nitric oxide supplements. Nitric oxide is produced naturally by the human body and is one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health. However, some people may need supplements. But do they actually deliver on these promises?

What Is Nitric Oxide?

Nitric oxide is a gas that acts as a vasodilator, meaning it helps to widen blood vessels and improve blood flow. According to health experts, nitric oxide is synthesised from L-arginine, an essential amino acid. This process facilitates blood flow, enabling the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients more effectively to muscles during exercise.

Nitric oxide's vasodilating properties have made it popular among those seeking to boost fitness performance. During exercise, nitric oxide helps open up small blood vessels and capillaries that typically remain dormant. This increase in blood flow can potentially support muscle function and endurance.

But Should You Take Nitric Oxide Supplements?

Nitric oxide supplements often don't contain the gas itself but instead include precursors like L-arginine and L-citrulline. These compounds provide the body with the building blocks for nitric oxide production, Marco Anzures, M.S., an exercise science instructor at San Diego City College told a leading news organisation. Despite their popularity, research on their effectiveness is mixed.

Some studies indicate that L-arginine may improve exercise performance in untrained or moderately trained individuals but shows minimal benefit for those already highly trained. Additionally, L-citrulline has been linked to reduced muscle soreness and improved aerobic performance in smaller studies.

Potential Benefits And Risks

Nitric oxide supplements may also help with blood pressure management due to their vasodilating effects. For those with high blood pressure, these supplements could support cardiovascular health by enhancing blood flow. Moreover, increased blood flow may aid in addressing erectile dysfunction by improving circulation to the genital area.

However, Anzures warns that the evidence supporting nitric oxide supplements for heart health, exercise performance, and sexual function is inconclusive. “There is some evidence to suggest supplementation helps with endurance, but not overall performance,” he notes.

The supplements are generally considered safe when taken in moderation, but side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and headaches can occur. Excessive intake may lead to severe drops in blood pressure, which could be dangerous for people with pre-existing conditions like heart disease or liver cirrhosis.

Natural Sources Of Nitric Oxide

Experts recommend focusing on dietary sources of nitric oxide rather than supplements. Foods rich in L-arginine and L-citrulline include legumes, nuts, seeds, and red meat. Vegetables such as beets and leafy greens are also excellent sources, with studies showing that beetroot juice may enhance athletic performance and cardiovascular health.

According to Natalie Rizzo, M.S., R.D., a dietitian based in New York City, "A proper diet can provide the necessary nutrients to support nitric oxide production without the potential risks associated with supplements."

Bottom LineWhile nitric oxide supplements may hold some potential for enhancing exercise performance, reducing blood pressure, and supporting sexual health, the evidence is mixed, and the risks should not be overlooked. Consulting a healthcare provider before starting any supplement is advisable, especially for those with underlying health conditions.