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!
Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Drop Major Super Bowl Surprise – Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Super Bowl wedding proposal prop bet appears on…
Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Super Bowl wedding proposaI prop bet appears on online sportsbook. If you have a hunch that Travis Kelce can break the internet at the Super Bowl, you can put your money where your mouth is.
FanDuel Canada is offering odds on whether the star tight end will propose to Taylor Swift. Of course, prop bets are insanely popular for the big game — common wagers include the length of the national anthem, the color of the Gatorade for the winning team, and even the resuIt of the opening coin toss.
At FanDuel Canada we are constantly looking for new ways to engage our customers with new and unique markets, the FanDuel Canada Trading Team said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The Super Bowl has a great history of these types of bets and we’re excited to be able to Iink pop culture and sport through our Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift offerings.
The odds opened up at +140 for yes (a $100 bet wins $190), while no began at -170 (must bet $170 to win $100). However, Canadian bettors thought those Iines were ridiculous, and started to slam “no.”
Now, a $100 bet on “yes” would net $920, while you would have to wager $2,200 on “no” to even make $100. Just note, though, that the fine print states that the proposaI must take place on the field after the game.

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