Is it good for digestion to go to the toilet right after eating?

"Doctor, I have to go to the toilet after eating. Is there something wrong with my stomach?" This is a question often heard in the gastroenterology clinic. In fact, going to the toilet after eating may be a normal physiological phenomenon, or it may be an external manifestation of a certain disease. Let's talk about this topic today.

1. Going to the toilet right after eating may be a normal physiological phenomenon

Irritable bowel syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disease characterized by abdominal discomfort and changes in bowel habits, but without structural organic changes. The cause of this disease may be related to increased intestinal sensitivity, abnormal intestinal motility, intestinal infection, intestinal flora imbalance, intestinal infection, diet and abnormal intestinal flora.

Intestinal dysfunction Intestinal dysfunction may be caused by improper diet, mood swings, irregular work and rest, etc., and manifests as abdominal pain, bloating, bowel sounds, diarrhea, constipation and other symptoms. Symptoms of this disease include going to the toilet after eating, but without structural organic changes. 3. Intestinal flora imbalance Intestinal flora imbalance refers to an imbalance in the proportion of intestinal flora, which may cause symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion. In severe cases, it may cause damage to the intestinal mucosa, causing inflammation and infection. In this case, going to the toilet after eating may be a manifestation of intestinal flora imbalance.

2. Going to the toilet right after eating may also be an external manifestation of a certain disease

Patients with chronic gastritis may experience symptoms such as bloating, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, and belching. Going to the toilet after eating may be one of the manifestations of chronic gastritis.

Patients with intestinal tuberculosis may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Going to the toilet after eating may be one of the manifestations of intestinal tuberculosis.

Patients with ulcerative colitis may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and mucus, pus and blood in the stool. Among them, going to the toilet after eating may be one of the manifestations of ulcerative colitis.

3. How to judge whether it is normal to go to the toilet after eating? 1. Pay attention to whether the symptoms persist: If the symptoms of going to the toilet after eating persist and are accompanied by other symptoms (such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, etc.), you need to seek medical attention in time for relevant examinations.

Pay attention to accompanying symptoms: If going to the toilet right after a meal is accompanied by other symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, etc.), you need to seek medical attention in time for relevant examinations.

4. How to deal with the situation of going to the toilet after eating?

Pay attention to your diet: Avoid excessive consumption of spicy, greasy, raw, cold and other irritating foods, and avoid overeating. Eat at regular times and in regular amounts. Eat more easily digestible foods such as vegetables and fruits.

Keep a happy mood: Avoid excessive tension and anxiety. Keeping a happy mood can help relieve gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms.

Proper exercise: Proper exercise can promote gastrointestinal motility and digestive juice secretion, which helps relieve gastrointestinal discomfort. However, be careful not to exercise excessively to avoid increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

If the symptoms are severe or last a long time, you need to go to the hospital for examination and treatment under the guidance of a professional gastroenterologist.

Guo Xiaoran, Department of Gastroenterology and Anorectal Surgery, Handan Mingren Hospital