Digestive Health Irritable Bowel Syndrome Your Gastrocolic Reflex With IBS Why you feel the need to go to the bathroom soon after eating By Barbara Bolen, PhD Barbara Bolen, PhD Twitter Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 27, 2022 Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print The gastrocolic reflex is a physiologic response in which the simple act of eating stimulates movement in the gastrointestinal tract. This is what makes you feel the urge to have a bowel movement soon after eating, especially if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This reflex is natural but is abnormally strong in those with IBS, and it has been implicated as playing a part in some of the symptoms of the condition. Symptoms of an abnormally strong gastrocolic reflex may include cramping, a sudden urge to move your bowels, and in some people, diarrhea. Let's take a look at what factors increase the strength of the gastrocolic reflex, what this means for a person for IBS, and how you can use this information to address your own digestive symptoms. When it's working well, the gastrocolic reflex is nature's way of making room for digesting the food that you are eating. Any new mother has seen this reflex in action: This is why infants often need their diapers changed soon after nursing. ola_p / Getty Images Causes of Heightened Gastrocolic Reflex Research indicates that a significant number of people who have IBS have an exaggerated gastrocolic reflex action in response to meals. This reactivity appears to be the result, at least in part, to abnormal levels of the hormones cholecystokinin (CCK) and motilin, both of which are responsible for regulating the motility of the digestive system. This exaggerated response can manifest itself in worsened symptoms occurring soon after eating—what healthcare providers call postprandial symptoms. Influencing Factors The reflex is triggered by the act of eating, but there are other factors that impact how strong the intestinal contractions are. The following things can cause these contractions to increase in intensity: Eating a large mealEating a meal that contains unhealthy forms of fat, such as fried foods, fatty meats, and rich graviesDrinking large amounts of cold liquid at one time In addition, people who are sensitive to lactose-containing foods, or other high FODMAP foods may experience worsened symptoms after eating these foods. IBS Trigger Foods Easing Your Symptoms How you address the symptoms depends on which type of IBS you have. Diarrhea-Predominant IBS If you have diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), you can use your new knowledge about the gastrocolic reflex to try to reduce its effect on your symptoms: Try to eat smaller meals, avoiding foods that contain unhealthy types of fat, or any foods that cause increased gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Before eating, sip some peppermint tea or take a peppermint oil supplement, both of which have antispasmodic effects. If your healthcare provider has prescribed you an antispasmodic medication, you may find that taking the medication approximately 20 minutes before eating can help to reduce any postprandial cramping and pain. Constipation-Predominant IBS Conversely, if you find that you experience chronic constipation, you can perhaps use the gastrocolic reflex to your advantage. For most people, natural body rhythms are such that the urge to have a bowel movement is strongest in the morning. Making sure to eat a large breakfast, with some foods with healthy fat, may strengthen your gastrocolic reflex and help to initiate a morning bowel movement. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Deiteren A, Camilleri M, Burton D, Mckinzie S, Rao A, Zinsmeister AR. Effect of meal ingestion on ileocolonic and colonic transit in health and irritable bowel syndrome. Dig Dis Sci. 2010;55(2):384-91. doi:10.1007/s10620-009-1041-8 Taba taba vakili S, Nezami BG, Shetty A, Chetty VK, Srinivasan S. Association of high dietary saturated fat intake and uncontrolled diabetes with constipation: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2015;27(10):1389-97. doi:10.1111/nmo.12630 Alammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al. The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):21. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2409-0 Lacy BE, Weiser K, De lee R. The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2009;2(4):221-38. doi:10.1177/1756283X09104794 Additional Reading Palsson, O. & Whitehead, W. Hormones and IBS. UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders. Wasiluk D, Ostrowska L, Stefanska E, Janke A, Jurkowska G. Diet for women with irritable bowel syndrome-a preliminary study. Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny. 2017;68(2). By Barbara Bolen, PhD Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit