Introduction
Convenience is the watchword of the current age. We want everything to be quick, easy, and convenient. Even with romance and dating, we want the process to be as painless as possible. In an era where we have so many other things to do, it’s no wonder that dating apps are so popular.
These apps let us connect with people nearby who share our interests and preferences. We don’t have to leave our homes or offices. The only thing standing between you and your next romantic encounter is a few taps on your phone screen.
But do these apps have adverse effects on our bodies? Can they cause long-term problems for our digestive systems? Let’s look at the impact of dating apps on the digestive system.
Dating Apps and Digestive Problems
Weight gain is the most significant side effect of dating apps. The more time you spend on dating apps, the more likely you will gain weight. People use these apps at home or in their office cubicles.
Now, with weight gain come the following digestive problems:
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) is when stomach acid comes into your esophagus. This can cause heartburn, chest pain, and even a sour taste in your mouth. The more weight you gain, the more you will experience acid reflux.
The issue is that many people use dating apps while sitting down. This means they don’t move around much and burn calories.
Anal Fissures
Yes, texting with your match on dating apps can be exciting. After all, it might be your first interaction. You have many questions for each other, and you want to know more about each other than their favorite color.
So, you turn on your phone and start texting away. But you forget that sitting for extended periods can cause health problems. Some people who spend hours at a desk every day are more likely to develop anal fissures. That’s because they don’t get up often enough to walk around and move their bodies.
Anal fissures are small tears in the lining of your anus. They can cause pain and bleeding when you have a bowel movement. But they’re usually not serious if treated with rest and pain medication.
Barrett’s Esophagus
Barrett’s esophagus can develop in people who have long-standing acid reflux. The esophagus is a large tube that connects your throat to your stomach. It’s lined with mucus. This helps protect the inside of your body from acid and other substances that are swallowed.
When you have Barrett’s esophagus, your lower esophagus’s cells change from squamous to columnar cells. These are like those found in the small intestine.
As we mentioned, weight gain from prolonged use of dating apps can lead to acid reflux. This can cause Barrett’s esophagus. If left untreated, this condition can be severe.
Colon Polyp and Cancer
The colon is a part of your digestive system that absorbs water and nutrients from food. It also helps eliminate waste products like gas. This makes it essential to keep your colon healthy.
Colon polyps are small growths on the lining of your colon or rectum (the lower end of your digestive tract). They’re usually noncancerous (benign) but can sometimes become cancerous if left untreated.
Water absorption by the colon is vital for good health. Exercise and motion promote this water absorption. But suppose you’re sedentary from using dating apps. Then you’re not moving, and your colon can’t absorb the water it needs. This can lead to dehydration and constipation. It can cause bloating, abdominal pain, and other digestive issues.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Yes, the liver is not directly involved in digestion. But it plays a vital role in the digestion process. The liver helps break down food into nutrients the body can absorb. It also produces bile acids to help digest fats.
Fatty liver disease is common when fat builds up in liver cells and causes inflammation. It’s associated with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and fatty foods.
When you use dating apps excessively, you may be more likely to develop fatty liver disease. The condition is associated with obesity and diabetes. These are also linked to the excessive use of dating apps.
Gallstone
The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile. Bile is released into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats. It also handles the breakdown of cholesterol into bile acids, helping digestion.
A gallstone can form when there are too many cholesterol deposits in the gallbladder. Bile then becomes trapped, which can lead to a blockage. If the gallstone is large enough, it can cause pain or inflammation of the gallbladder. The condition is common in people who are overweight and have a family history of gallstones.
People who use dating apps always have a higher risk of developing gallstones. This is because gallstones are linked to weight gain. And that’s an issue for many people who use dating apps excessively.
Cholangiocarcinoma
The bile ducts are the narrow tubes that carry bile from the liver to other body parts. Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer that develops in these ducts. It can occur in any part of the bile ducts but most often occurs at the junction where they meet another organ.
This weight gain-related type of cancer is the most common form of bile duct cancer. The bile ducts (and the rest of the digestive system) work best when you’re active.
But that hardly happens when you use dating apps all day. Your body needs movement. It uses movement to flush out toxins released when you drink alcohol or eat unhealthy foods.
When you use dating apps all day, there’s no real reason to be active, and your body doesn’t get the exercise required. This puts you at risk for weight gain-related cancers such as cholangiocarcinoma.
Conclusion
The above digestive problems are reasons you should avoid dating apps all day. Using these apps can cause weight gain, which puts you at risk for cancer and other digestive issues.
