Why You Feel the Urge to Poop After Eating: A Doctor Explains
Many people experience the need to use the restroom shortly after eating, and according to medical experts, this is a completely normal occurrence.
A healthcare professional on TikTok recently highlighted this common phenomenon, reassuring those who frequently rush to the bathroom after meals that they are not alone.
Understanding the Gastrocolic Reflex
Despite what it may seem, feeling the urge to have a bowel movement immediately after eating does not mean that your food is being digested unusually fast. Instead, this sensation is due to the “gastrocolic reflex.”
According to VeryWell Health, the gastrocolic reflex is a natural physiological response that stimulates movement in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract after consuming food. This reflex helps create space in your digestive system for incoming food by triggering contractions in the colon.
Dr. Salhab explains that as the stomach expands with food, it signals the brain, which then prompts the colon to contract. This reaction often leads to the urge to have a bowel movement. The waste that is expelled, however, is not from the most recent meal but consists of older digested food and fluids stored in the colon.
When the Reflex Is More Intense
For individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the gastrocolic reflex can be more pronounced. According to the Cleveland Clinic, IBS can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and excessive gas.
Dr. Salhab notes that some people experience intense abdominal cramps or even diarrhea following meals due to heightened colon contractions. Fortunately, there are ways to manage these symptoms effectively.
Managing Symptoms
To reduce the severity of post-meal bathroom urges, Dr. Salhab recommends avoiding certain trigger foods and beverages. These include:
- Carbonated drinks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Certain citrus fruits
- Dairy products (for some individuals)
- Fried and fatty foods
By making mindful dietary choices, you may be able to minimize discomfort and maintain better digestive health.
Share the Knowledge!
If you found this information helpful, share it with your friends and family so they, too, can better understand their digestive health!
Guy texts photo of girlfriend to his mom, doesn’t see ‘tiny’ detail on bed
Maison Vallance of Tennessee wanted to comply to his mom’s wish of sending her a photo of his girlfriend, Madison, wearing the blouse she bought her.
Madison was as happy to pose and Maison sent his mom the photo. But he found it so cute that he decided to share it on his social media too, not realizing there was a detail in the background that he would wanted not to expose to his followers.
“I took this picture to let my Momma know I found the shirt she got me, but Meghan is too pretty not to post it,” he wrote.
He was delighted with the photo he had taken until one of his female friends brought up the “detail” that made Maison regret not looking at the photo more carefully before sharing it with everyone online.
If you examine the photo more closely you’ll notice crimson ropes slung across the headboard behind Meghan’s head.
Well, the thought of his mother seeing those ropes in the background terrified Maison.
Once he realized his honest “mistake,” Maison decided to get the best out of the situation and joked about it by posting a fun tweet that brought a lot of laughter at his followers.
The good thing is that Maison’s family was quite humorous about the photo and the ropes that are very likely utilized for activities akin to those in 50 Shades of Grey.
These two truly make a lovely couple, don’t you agree?
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