Aproko Doctor Warns Against Using Phones on the Toilet

Digital health advocate, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has cautioned Nigerians against the habit of using smartphones while sitting on the toilet, warning that it could lead to haemorrhoids, commonly referred to as piles or “Jedi-Jedi.”

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Egemba noted that prolonged sitting during bowel movements increases pressure on veins in the lower rectum, which may cause swelling, irritation, and bleeding. He explained that many people spend excessive time scrolling through social media while on the toilet, a practice he called a “silent trigger” for the condition.

“The human body was designed to do the business and stand up,” he wrote, stressing that staying on the toilet for more than ten minutes could have negative effects. He also warned that forcing bowel movements worsens the condition, turning what should be a quick routine into a health risk.

Egemba advised people to eat more fibre-rich foods and drink plenty of water to ease bowel movements naturally. Citing research that aligns with his warning, he urged Nigerians to see toilet time as a brief necessity not an entertainment break. “The toilet is for business, not for catching up on gist,” he stated.