Why You Feel the Urge to Poop After Eating, Explained by a Doctor

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!

18 Child Actors Who Are All Grown Up Now, and We Didn’t Even Notice It (New Pics)

It seems that some of the films and TV series we loved as children are now decades old. Think of The NeverEnding Story, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, or even Baywatch. And of course, the young actors that played child roles in these have grown up significantly. For example, Jonathan Lipnicki, the child star of Jerry Maguire, is already 30 years old, and Noah Hathaway, who is remembered for his performance as Atreyu in The NeverEnding Story, will turn 50 in November 2021. Even Georgie Henley, aka Lucy in The Chronicles of Narnia is now 25!

Bright Side did some research to find out what 18 child actors from the ’90s and the beginning of the ’00s look like today, and here’s what we found.

1. Jeremy Dunn Jackson (Hobie Buchannon), Baywatch (1991-1999)

2. Jonathan Lipnicki (Ray Boyd), Jerry Maguire (1996)

3. Daryl Sabara (Juni Cortez), Spy Kids (2001)

4. Taylor Lautner (Sharkboy), The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D (2005)

5. Georgie Henley (Lucy Pevensie), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

6. Matthew Lawrence (Chris Hillard), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

7. Lisa Jakub (Lydia Hillard), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

8. Noah Hathaway (Atreyu), The NeverEnding Story (1984)

9. Nicholle Tom (Ryce), Beethoven (1992)

10. Giorgio Cantarini (Giosué), Life Is Beautiful (1997)

11. Anna Chlumsky (Vada Sultenfuss), My Girl (1991)

12. Patrick Renna (Hamilton “Ham” Porter), The Sandlot (1993)

13. Ivyann Schwan (Trixie Young), Problem Child 2 (1991)

14. Madison Lintz (Sophia Peletier), The Walking Dead (2010-2012)

15. Mackenzie Foy (Renesmee), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 and Part 2 (2011-2012)

16. Alexa PenaVega (Carmen Cortez), Spy Kids (2001)

17. Edward Furlong (John Connor), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

18. Raven-Symoné (Olivia Kendall), The Cosby Show (1989-1992)

Which of the series or movies listed above is your favorite? Which of the actors do you think has changed the most? Is there anybody else you think we should add to this list?

Preview photo credit The NeverEnding Story / Warner Bros. and co-producers, noahhathaway*** / Instagram