Have you ever felt like you had to go to the toilet right away after eating? You are not the only one if that’s the case. Health professionals say that this happens a lot and is caused by a normal reaction called the gastrocolic reflex.
So, what does the gastrocolic response really mean? To put it simply, it’s a normal reaction your body has when food hits your stomach. The lining of your stomach stretches, which tells your brain to tighten your colon. This moves the contents of your colon further along your food system. This response is meant to make room for food to come in and make processing go smoothly.
Gut health expert Dr Salhab says that the need to go to the toilet after eating isn’t because your digestive system is moving food through it too quickly. Instead, it’s your body’s way of getting rid of old stool and water that were in your gut.
A normal part of how your gut system works is the gastrocolic response. Some people may feel it more strongly than others, though. People who have digestive problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may feel this response more strongly, which can cause severe stomach cramps, the need to go to the toilet right away, and diarrhoea.
If you often have a strong gastrocolic response or symptoms linked to IBS, you can make some changes to your food and way of life that will help. If you have stomach problems, Dr. Salhab says to watch what you eat and stay away from things that can make them worse. Managing your stress, eating smaller meals more often, and chewing your food well can also make a big difference.
Managing symptoms may require over-the-counter drugs or treatments that you can only get with a doctor’s prescription. If you find that your bathroom habits are getting worse, getting in the way of your daily life, or happening more often, you should see a doctor right away.
To sum up, the gastrocolic reaction is what makes you want to go to the toilet after eating. It’s usually nothing to worry about, but if the reaction is too strong, painful, or bothersome, it could be a sign of a problem with your stomach. If you know how your body works and make some simple changes to your lifestyle, you can cut down on the number and severity of these trips to the toilet after meals and improve your gut health as a whole.
