Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsCausesFoods to AvoidHome RemediesWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Causes
Foods to Avoid
Home Remedies
When to See a Provider
Conditions that affect the gastrocolic reflex may cause other symptoms such as abdominal cramping, bloating, or diarrhea.
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What Is the Gastrocolic Reflex?
The gastrocolic reflex is a normal physiological response that occurs soon after eating food in which thelarge intestine (colon)suddenly has rhythmic contractions that stimulate the urge to poop.
The aim of the gastrocolic reflex is to move the extra contents of the intestines out of the body to make room for more food in the stomach. The reflex often occurs within 15 minutes of eating.
Causes of an Overactive Gastrocolic Reflex
Under normal circumstances, the gastrocolic reflex will stimulate the urge to poop, although gently. In some people, however, the response will be exaggerated and trigger the need to poop urgently.
Conditions that can affect the gastrocolic reflex include:
There are several reasons for this overactive response, some of which are interconnected.
Foods to Avoid With an Overactive Gastrocolic Reflex
In addition, people who are sensitive tolactose-containing foodsor highFODMAP foodsmay experience symptoms after eating foods in these groups. IBS, in particular, is linked to these and other food groups.
That said, foods that may trigger the gastrocolic reflex include:
Managing Symptoms at Home
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Symptoms to look out for include:
After reviewing your medical history and performing a physical exam, your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Summary
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dorfman L, El-Chammas K, ,Mansi S, Kaul A.Gastrocolonic response.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2022 Nov;24(11):137-144. doi:10.1007/s11894-022-00849-2Ceuleers H, Van Spaendonk H, Hanning N, et al.Visceral hypersensitivity in inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome: the role of proteases.World J Gastroenterol.2016 Dec 21;22(47):10275–10286. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i47.10275Mori H, Verbeure W, Schol J, Carbone F, Tack J.Gastrointestinal hormones and regulation of gastric emptying.Curr Op Endocrinol Diabetes Obesity. 2022;29(2):191-199. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000707Banerjee A, Sarkhel S, Sarkar R, Dhali GK.Anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39:741-745. doi:10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_46_17.Hayes PA, Fraher MH, Quigley EMM.Irritable bowel syndrome: the role of food in pathogenesis and management.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).2014 Mar;10(3):164–174.Cozma-Petru A, Loughin F, Miere D, Dumitrascu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: what to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol.2017 Jun 7;23(21):3771–3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771Cuomo R, Andreozzi P, Zito FP, Passananti V, De Carlo G, Sarnelli G.Irritable bowel syndrome and food interaction.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Jul 21;20(27):8837–8845. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8837Cangemi DJ, Lacy BE.Management of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a review of nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions.Therap Adv Gastroenterol.2019;12:1756284819878950. doi:10.1177/1756284819878950MedlinePlus.Digestive diseases.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dorfman L, El-Chammas K, ,Mansi S, Kaul A.Gastrocolonic response.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2022 Nov;24(11):137-144. doi:10.1007/s11894-022-00849-2Ceuleers H, Van Spaendonk H, Hanning N, et al.Visceral hypersensitivity in inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome: the role of proteases.World J Gastroenterol.2016 Dec 21;22(47):10275–10286. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i47.10275Mori H, Verbeure W, Schol J, Carbone F, Tack J.Gastrointestinal hormones and regulation of gastric emptying.Curr Op Endocrinol Diabetes Obesity. 2022;29(2):191-199. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000707Banerjee A, Sarkhel S, Sarkar R, Dhali GK.Anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39:741-745. doi:10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_46_17.Hayes PA, Fraher MH, Quigley EMM.Irritable bowel syndrome: the role of food in pathogenesis and management.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).2014 Mar;10(3):164–174.Cozma-Petru A, Loughin F, Miere D, Dumitrascu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: what to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol.2017 Jun 7;23(21):3771–3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771Cuomo R, Andreozzi P, Zito FP, Passananti V, De Carlo G, Sarnelli G.Irritable bowel syndrome and food interaction.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Jul 21;20(27):8837–8845. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8837Cangemi DJ, Lacy BE.Management of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a review of nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions.Therap Adv Gastroenterol.2019;12:1756284819878950. doi:10.1177/1756284819878950MedlinePlus.Digestive diseases.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dorfman L, El-Chammas K, ,Mansi S, Kaul A.Gastrocolonic response.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2022 Nov;24(11):137-144. doi:10.1007/s11894-022-00849-2Ceuleers H, Van Spaendonk H, Hanning N, et al.Visceral hypersensitivity in inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome: the role of proteases.World J Gastroenterol.2016 Dec 21;22(47):10275–10286. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i47.10275Mori H, Verbeure W, Schol J, Carbone F, Tack J.Gastrointestinal hormones and regulation of gastric emptying.Curr Op Endocrinol Diabetes Obesity. 2022;29(2):191-199. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000707Banerjee A, Sarkhel S, Sarkar R, Dhali GK.Anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39:741-745. doi:10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_46_17.Hayes PA, Fraher MH, Quigley EMM.Irritable bowel syndrome: the role of food in pathogenesis and management.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).2014 Mar;10(3):164–174.Cozma-Petru A, Loughin F, Miere D, Dumitrascu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: what to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol.2017 Jun 7;23(21):3771–3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771Cuomo R, Andreozzi P, Zito FP, Passananti V, De Carlo G, Sarnelli G.Irritable bowel syndrome and food interaction.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Jul 21;20(27):8837–8845. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8837Cangemi DJ, Lacy BE.Management of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a review of nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions.Therap Adv Gastroenterol.2019;12:1756284819878950. doi:10.1177/1756284819878950MedlinePlus.Digestive diseases.
Dorfman L, El-Chammas K, ,Mansi S, Kaul A.Gastrocolonic response.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2022 Nov;24(11):137-144. doi:10.1007/s11894-022-00849-2
Ceuleers H, Van Spaendonk H, Hanning N, et al.Visceral hypersensitivity in inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome: the role of proteases.World J Gastroenterol.2016 Dec 21;22(47):10275–10286. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i47.10275
Mori H, Verbeure W, Schol J, Carbone F, Tack J.Gastrointestinal hormones and regulation of gastric emptying.Curr Op Endocrinol Diabetes Obesity. 2022;29(2):191-199. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000707
Banerjee A, Sarkhel S, Sarkar R, Dhali GK.Anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39:741-745. doi:10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_46_17.
Hayes PA, Fraher MH, Quigley EMM.Irritable bowel syndrome: the role of food in pathogenesis and management.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).2014 Mar;10(3):164–174.
Cozma-Petru A, Loughin F, Miere D, Dumitrascu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: what to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol.2017 Jun 7;23(21):3771–3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771
Cuomo R, Andreozzi P, Zito FP, Passananti V, De Carlo G, Sarnelli G.Irritable bowel syndrome and food interaction.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Jul 21;20(27):8837–8845. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8837
Cangemi DJ, Lacy BE.Management of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a review of nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions.Therap Adv Gastroenterol.2019;12:1756284819878950. doi:10.1177/1756284819878950
MedlinePlus.Digestive diseases.
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