When you have the urge to go

Dear Donovan,

After every meal I suddenly have the urge to go to the bathroom. Could I be eating the wrong foods, or could it be a sign of an underlying health problem like Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

After eating a meal, the stomach is stretched. This causes the nerves in the stomach to send signals to the large intestine that the stomach is full and needs some emptying. The muscles in the large intestine contract, causing bowel movement. This action is known as gastrocolic reflex.

The urge to defecate shortly after a meal is normal. However, there are some people who get the extreme urge to empty their bowel after every meal. This is not normal. This signals that there may be a problem in the gastrointestinal system or you may even be eating the wrong foods.

I definitely think that you need to see a doctor or a gastro specialist. Something is happening with you which needs treatment. Getting properly diagnosed is very important for the treatment of your condition.

There are also a number of digestive disorders which have similar symptoms. In many cases, it is hard to tell them apart. However, bowel motion immediately after eating could be a symptom of a chronic disease. There is an inflammatory bowel condition which normally comes with loose motion, blood in the stool and abdominal pain. In addition, your condition could be caused by IBS. This is a long-term gastrointestinal disorder that is usually associated with abdominal pain, bloating and irregular bowel habits. IBS may come in different forms, for example, IBS with diarrhoea. This is where a person may experience stomach pain, discomfort and an urgent need to go to the bathroom. In addition, very frequent bowel motion and loose stools may also be a part of this condition.

Many of the symptoms of IBS can be improved by making dietary changes such as avoiding caffeine, milk products and sweeteners. Learning relaxation techniques, meditation and exercise might also help. Having frequent bowel motions immediately after eating is definitely not healthy. This can lead to dehydration, weight loss and malnutrition, to name a few. All efforts should be made to get proper diagnosis and treatment. Good luck!

We will answer your weight-related questions

Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Call him at 876-286-1363.E-mail questions to clarkep@jamaicaobserver.com.