Do you have that pooping sensation immediately after eating? You feel as though the food is passing through the intestines and ready to be expelled. Well, this is not the case.

It takes about one to two days before food leaves the digestive tract. Thus, a person who poops right after eating is most like passing food that they ate a day or two earlier

Gastrocolic reflex: The occurrence of peristalsis following the entrance of food into an empty stomach

When food enters the stomach, the body releases hormones that causes the large intestines to contract. These contractions move the previously eaten food along the digestive system, which then results in the urge to poop.

There are certain conditions that an affect the gastrocolic reflex.

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes a person’s digestive tract to move the food through the digestive system at a faster rate
• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Food allergies and intolerance
• Anxiety
• Gastritis
• Celiac disease

Symptoms

• Bloating which resolves after passing gas or stool
• Increased frequency to pass gas
• Abdominal pain/discomfort
• Mucus in the stool
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Altered bowel movements (diarrhea and constipation)

Is there a difference between gastrocolic reflex and fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence: The inability to control your bowel movements causing stool to leak unexpectedly from the rectum

Causes of fecal incontinence

• Diarrhea
• Nerve damaging in the rectum
• Damaged muscles in the rectum
• Damaged rectal walls
• Rectocele
• Rectal prolapse

How about gastrocolic reflex vs diarrhea after eating?

Diarrhea is a common condition that typically lasts a day or two. However, diarrhea lasting for a week or more may indiacate an underlying health issues.

Causes of persistent diarrhea:

• Excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners or laxatives
• Foodborne bacteria and parasites
• Food intolerance
• Food llergies
• Digestive disorders
• Viral infection
• Previous abdominal surgery

When should I see the doctor?

If you experience any of the following, do seek for medical treatment:

• Intense and frequent gastrocolic responses to food
• Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
• Additional gastric symptoms

Treatment and prevention

1. Seek treatment for underlying digestive conditions
2. Change of diet
3. Eat smaller meals
4. Manage stress

References:

1. 1. Gastrocolic reflex | Merriam-Webster
2. 2. What causes people to poop right after eating? | Medical News TodaY
3. 3. Fecal incontinence | American College of Gastroenterology

Image credit:

1. 1. https://img-z.okeinfo.net/content/2019/05/11/481/2054409/berapa-kali-kita-harus-bab-dalam-sehari-BjhkpQG6hB.jpg
2. 2. https://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/imce/change-in-bowel-habits_thumb.jpg
3. 3. https://cdn.prod-carehubs.net/n1/802899ec472ea3d8/uploads/2016/11/shutterstock_102185200.jpg
4. 4. https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/021319-nude-poop-1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&strip=all 
5. 5. https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2018/10/04/21/01/-/media/OneGeisinger/Images/ghs/health-and-wellness/Wellness-Articles/2018/October/2018-10-when-to-see-your-doctor-about-diarrhea.jpg
6. 6. https://media.self.com/photos/595d209d77c93b5742e09571/master/pass/Poop-Health-ToiletPaper.jpg

Written By

Dr Amirah Ekhsan