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!
A homeless man found $10,000 that someone had lost and decided to return it to the owner. As a thank-you, he received a reward that he will always remember.
Roberta Hoskie, a successful real estate agent, accidentally dropped a $10,000 check while she was busy working in town. She was carrying so many things that the check slipped out of her hands onto the street.
Later, a homeless man named Elmer Alvarez called Roberta. He had found the check and wanted to return it because he felt it was the right thing to do. Elmer even took the time to search for Roberta’s business name so he could find her phone number.
Roberta was touched by Elmer’s honesty and kindness, reminding her that there are still good-hearted people in the world. She knew she couldn’t let his kindness go unnoticed.
Elmer and Roberta met on a street corner, where Elmer handed back the check to its owner. As Roberta thanked him for his kindness, she discovered the truth—Elmer was homeless, living on the cold streets of Connecticut, one of the coldest places in the U.S. If anyone needed money, it was him.
To show her gratitude, Roberta gave Elmer a check as a reward for his good deed. But that wasn’t the end of it.
Roberta made sure Elmer would have a guaranteed spot in her upcoming real estate training program. She promised to cover the full cost of the course and pay for the English lessons he needed.
But that wasn’t everything!
“He has no idea what’s coming,” Roberta said a few days later, just before she surprised Elmer with a life-changing gift he never expected.
Watch the video below to see how Elmer’s simple act of kindness led to something truly amazing and heartwarming.
Sometimes, it’s those who have the least who give the most, and Elmer is a perfect example of that. Luckily, Elmer’s decision to return the check brought him more than he ever expected.
Getting his own home will completely change his life and give him a fresh start.
The world can often feel harsh and selfish, but this story is a reminder that there are still good people out there! Share it to spread some positivity!
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