As many people know, screen time can happen in the unlikeliest of places — including the bathroom. But a new study suggests there's more risk involved in scrolling there than just a filthier phone.

The research, published Wednesday in PLOS One, found an association between smartphone use on the toilet and a higher risk of hemorrhoids . (If you're currently reading this while relieving yourself, we won't be offended if you set your device aside until you're done.)

Prior to conducting the study, the researchers had anecdotal observations that toilet scrolling might contribute to hemorrhoids but no evidence linking the two.

To address the question, the researchers designed a cross-sectional survey of 125 adult colonoscopy patients ages 45 and older. More than 40 percent of those patien

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