I have a very uncommon problem. I have to poop right after I eat. Immediately, but literally immediately. This can be very annoying since I can never eat when I’m out for fear of this problem. I have watery stool very often when that happens. And I poop several times a day - when I get up and after every meal and sometimes even in between... It’s been lasting for almost a year now. What is the cause?
One SteadyHealth member reported having a problem - an irresistible urge to defecate right after having a meal.
I have to poop right after I eat. Immediately, but literally immediately.
He further described a problem as very annoying since he cannot eat out for fear of this problem. The stool has been described as watery most of the times. The member said he empties his bowels several times a day - when he gets up and after every meal and sometimes even in between. The problem has been lasting for almost a year.
What is the cause?
While the discussion starter described the problem as very uncommon, it's actually not. The member who replied first claimed that this was actually a very common problem and it is called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). He said that the symptoms, apart from those the discussion starter described, can also include:
- abdominal pain
- feeling gassy or bloated
- cramps
- constipation
- very frequent feeling of strong urge to have a bowel movement
He also suggested the discussion starter visit his doctor who would check if the problems described are caused by IBS. The condition itself is not life-threatening, meaning that it cannot harm the bowel or develop into cancer, however, it can be very annoying. The doctor would probably suggest diet changes and stress management. While stress and depression cannot cause IBS, they can initiate the symptoms if they have already appeared before. The discussion starter has been also suggested to experiment with the food he eats to discover if certain foods make the problem worse. Drinking plenty of water and eating several small meals rather than two or three big ones have been also suggested.
Others suggested lactose intolerance and extra production of bile by gallbladder as possible culprits.
Others reported having the same issue, i.e. emptying bowels within the hour after a meal, on average about 4 to 5 healthy movements per day. Many said that they don't have diarrhea, but a normal stool. Also, no bloating, pain, or gas have been reported. They also described it as a very annoying problem, making them uncomfortable to go out to eat with friends. For some, the problem is the most prominent in the morning.
I gotta poop like 3 times in the morning before I can even think about walking out the door.
While for many the stool was normal, some had watery stool very often when this happens. One participant in the discussion noted that the problem started after his gallbladder removal. Few reported having blood in their stool at times.
Many who reported this problem noted that it happens after eating certain foods.
This happens after I eat egg waffles, certain bread and cereals WTH is it?
The problem has been reported after eating meat, particular cereals, fatty and spicy food, such as Mexican, or coffee and caffeinated drinks. While the meat is a culprit to frequent defecation, for some participants, eating meat, such as chicken, pork or wild game consumed along with pasta, helped the problem. One member noted that if he'd eaten salad he had diarrhea immediately and regular stool after eating other meals.
The abdominal pain may be experienced either before or during bowel movements. It can be very severe causing nausea. One participant described it as "having knives stabbing his tummy." The stool has been reported to have a very foul smell, as well as passing gas.
As for the treatment for frequent bowel movements after eating, several users recommended using kratom, a plant native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, which has gained popularity in the U.S., with some marketers touting it as a “safe” treatment with broad healing properties. However, the FDA has issued numerous warnings about the serious risks associated with the use of kratom. Certain kratom products have been found to contain salmonella and cause infections. as well as heavy metals that may lead to poisoning. Kratom products should not be used.
Other participants suggested ingesting raw garlic to an empty stomach. Clinical evidence supports these claims, finding that raw garlic has anti-bacterial effects against H. pylori residing in the stomach and may be prescribed along with routine drugs for the treatment of gastric H. pylori infection.
-
If you live in a state where it is legal to buy Kratom.
https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm584970.htm
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm626738.htm
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm618831.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657101/ -
Try to have garlic pod(peeled) in empty stomach.
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/monograph_eng.pdf
https://www.nhs.uk/about-the-nhs-website/documents/magazine_nov08%20issue.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/nhanes_05_06/dietary_mec.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5052411/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4417560/
What do experts say?
When it comes to bowel movements, everyone is different. However, there's a consensus among the researchers that we should all empty our bowels every day. Poop is waste and we need to get rid of it every day to make sure that we’re properly removing toxins from our bodies. The range of healthy is typically 1-3 times a day, and it can vary day-to-day. Some people even have bowel movements every time they eat, meaning they must have been removing all those toxins at a rapid rate. Right? Well, that's not always the case.
Having to poop every time after you eat can be a cumbersome and embarrassing problem that can prevent you from doing things, such as eating out with friends. Although rarely, this problem could also indicate a potential health condition.
The gastrocolic reflex is to blame
Usually, it takes about 53 hours from eating for food to pass through your body as stool. Women tend to digest their food slower than men. Some people, however, feel the need to relieve themselves right after eating. When this happens it’s not the most recent bite that sends them rushing to the toilet, but a gastrocolic reflex.
The gastrocolic reflex is a reflex that stimulates contractions in the colon that can lead to using the bathroom shortly after eating a meal. This happens when hormones are released soon after eating, telling the colon to contract in order to move food out of your body and make room for more food. The effects of this reflex can be mild, moderate, or severe, and can vary from person to person.
Possible causes of gastrocolic reflex
Usually, large meals or foods that contain unhealthy fats can increase the gastrocolic reflex. Besides fatty and greasy foods, dairy and high-fiber foods, like whole grains and vegetables can trigger the gastrocolic reflex.
Some medical conditions, such as IBS, Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis can cause an over-reactive gastrocolic reflex with high-pressure contractions in response to meals. Other conditions may include:
- anxiety
- celiac disease
- food allergies and intolerances
- gastritis
The symptoms of gastrocolic reflex
Besides urges to go to the bathroom right after eating, some other symptoms can be experienced as well:
- abdominal pain
- bloating that’s relieved or partially relieved by passing gas or having a bowel movement
- frequent need to pass gas
- diarrhea or constipation, or alternating diarrhea and constipation
- mucus in stool
Treatment of gastrocolic reflex
Treatment of gastrocolic reflex may include the treatment of an underlying condition that causes it or avoiding the triggers, such as certain foods or stress, which is another common trigger for IBS, thus gastrocolic reflex.
It is important to see your doctor, especially if there are ongoing changes in your bowel habits or if you’re constantly running to the toilet after eating. The doctor can diagnose the underlying cause and decide on the best treatment.
Links:
- Bouchoucha, M., Odinot, J., Devroede, G., Landi, B., Cugnenc, P. and Barbier, J. (1998). Simple clinical assessment of colonic response to food. International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 13(5-6), pp.217-222.
- Lewis, J. and Abreu, M. (2017). Diet as a Trigger or Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Gastroenterology, 152(2), pp.398-414.e6
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2900583/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1419080/
Discussion highlights
What food may be causing this?
- I find that also coffee (caffeinated) always makes me go to the bathroom right away.
- The same thing will happen to me if I eat or drink anything with milk in it.
- Red meat, as much as it pains me to say it because nothing makes me happier then a burger or steak, is an extremely bad when it comes to upsetting your system.
- Mine happens to be greasy foods of fast foods like Taco Bell, Mickey d's, or Krystal.
- Even with a glass of water in the morning., i will have the need to go to the toilet.
What conditions have been diagnosed?
- I have had chronic constipation since about age 14.
- My son and I were diagnosed with this and it turned out to be gluten intolerance.
- I sumtyms poop in between meals and its been normal for me, I have gastro enthritis which triggers badly when I drink coffee or eat anything acidicccc
- for me i am diabetic with a gluten allergy wihich took a long time to figure out.
- I have been tested for IBS and dont have it nor do i have crons.
What treatments and medications helped?
- I find Metamucil does work- but it takes a few days, and then you have to be consistent about taking it.
- The treatment is Cholestyramine, which binds to the bile instead of the bile entering the intestines, which causes the intestines to produce water and thus the frequent (usually watery) bowel movements.
- I have also been prescribed lotomil, which helps on really bad days or to be taken before traveling, meetings, etc.
- They still tested my stool and later confirmed, and gave me antibiotics to get rid of it.
- but what i will say is my Dr proscribed my something called magace/magastrol it slows my metabolism down and helps me gain weight and helps with my constant bowel movement .
In conclusion
Frequent bowel movements that happen after eating meal are not uncommon and usually aren't a reason to worry about. This problem is more inconvenient than serious. However, anyone having this problem should check it with their doctors.