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What Causes Bowel Movements Immediately After Eating?

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Posted on Sat, 15 Nov 2014
Question: My bowel movements come shortly after eating, as if food is going right through me. Also they resemble sawdust. I finish, and ten to twenty minutes am back in going more. Also I will be done wiping, and then go more. Thoughts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can you provide more information on this?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for the query.

I am so sorry to hear about this stools shortly after eating and all the inconveniences that this has caused you.

1. I will like to know for how long these symptoms have been going on.
2. Does it happen with all meals or some particular meal types?
3. Have your had any changes in your diet recently?
4. Have you had any changes in your weight or other symptoms associated to this?

After eating, bowel movements are stimulated(peristalsis). This would generally cause food to flow down the intestines. In certain cases, the digestive content enters the rectum and provokes defecation. This is totally normal. The only thing that I am not comfortable about is that you seem to say this happens all the times and the stool is very watery.

If there are no other symptoms beside these watery stools after meals like weight loss, dehydration, abdominal pains, this would most likely represent an irritable bowel syndrome. This is a condition in which digestive symptoms are not correlated by pathological findings on testing but for the the symptoms that cause discomfort to the client. However, you would need evaluation to rule out every other possible cause of this like food intolerance before settling of irritable bowel syndrome.

For now, I will appreciate answers to the above questions. With them more personalized information and recommendations would be made. So long as you have no immediate complications related to this, getting the cause before starting treatment would help. Also increase you fluid intake to stay well hydrated.

Hope to hear back from you and hope you find this information useful. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)
Please accept my apology. I was mistaken when I said thirty minutes after eating. I was at work and very busy. I also suffer from idiopathic insomnia and have gotten only a few hours of sleep this week. Last night I ate half of a roast beef sandwich, and I believe that is what came out approximately three hours later. This has been going on for a couple weeks. I have had a slight decrease in appetite, but no noticeable weight loss. It does not matter what I eat. I greatly appreciate the information, as well as your expertise and compassion.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Have you been reviewed by a gastroenterologist?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up information.

With this more information, the suspicion for a possible irritable bowel syndrome is high. I will suggest that you get evaluated by a gastroenterologist to rule out any other possible causes of this symptoms, confirm the diagnosis and manage accordingly. Patient with this condition often present with sleeping difficulties as well.

Keep me posted on the progress as you take measures to get this fixed. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (10 hours later)
Thank you so very much! I am going to have a complete physical in the very near futute and will discuss this further with my Doctor.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Keep me updated as well!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up.

I am happy you would be getting a complete physical in the near future and would discuss this further with your doctor. Keep me updated on this and do not hesitate to contact whenever need be for more help on your health worries.

Until we next chat, I wish you well.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6321 Questions

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What Causes Bowel Movements Immediately After Eating?

Brief Answer: Can you provide more information on this? Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you for the query. I am so sorry to hear about this stools shortly after eating and all the inconveniences that this has caused you. 1. I will like to know for how long these symptoms have been going on. 2. Does it happen with all meals or some particular meal types? 3. Have your had any changes in your diet recently? 4. Have you had any changes in your weight or other symptoms associated to this? After eating, bowel movements are stimulated(peristalsis). This would generally cause food to flow down the intestines. In certain cases, the digestive content enters the rectum and provokes defecation. This is totally normal. The only thing that I am not comfortable about is that you seem to say this happens all the times and the stool is very watery. If there are no other symptoms beside these watery stools after meals like weight loss, dehydration, abdominal pains, this would most likely represent an irritable bowel syndrome. This is a condition in which digestive symptoms are not correlated by pathological findings on testing but for the the symptoms that cause discomfort to the client. However, you would need evaluation to rule out every other possible cause of this like food intolerance before settling of irritable bowel syndrome. For now, I will appreciate answers to the above questions. With them more personalized information and recommendations would be made. So long as you have no immediate complications related to this, getting the cause before starting treatment would help. Also increase you fluid intake to stay well hydrated. Hope to hear back from you and hope you find this information useful. I wish you well.