Child's Rectal Prolapse Linked to Prolonged Tablet Use on Toilet

A six-year-old boy's prolonged tablet use on the toilet led to rectal prolapse, prompting a doctor's warning about extended bathroom sessions. The child's mother noticed a protruding mass at his anus, which was diagnosed as rectal prolapse, not hemorrhoids as initially suspected.

Dr. Tseng Yu-kang, a colorectal surgeon at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, emphasized that sitting on the toilet for over five minutes can cause anal vein congestion and increased pressure, significantly raising the risk of developing hemorrhoids. He noted a recent increase in patients presenting with hemorrhoids, many of whom delay seeking treatment despite symptoms like anal bleeding.

“

Sitting on the toilet for more than 5 minutes can cause anal vein congestion and increased pressure, significantly raising the risk of developing hemorrhoids.

One adult patient, a busy office worker, suffered a recurrence of severe hemorrhoids with bleeding and thrombosis, requiring further surgery. Tseng advised the public to avoid using mobile phones or tablets on the toilet, stay hydrated, and consume fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to prevent hard stools. He stressed the importance of seeking medical help for symptoms like bleeding, anal lumps, itching, or swelling, as these can be mistaken for hemorrhoids but may indicate more serious conditions like colorectal cancer, potentially delaying crucial treatment.

“

Rectal bleeding and anal lumps can be symptoms of both hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer, urging prompt medical attention.