When talking about the phenomenon of "the urge to defecate immediately after eating", we should first understand that it does not always point to a serious health problem. This phenomenon is medically known as the "gastrocolic reflex" and is a normal physiological response. When food enters the stomach, stomach expansion stimulates the colon and promotes bowel movements, which triggers a faster bowel response in some people.
However, we can't completely rule out that this could be a sign of gut health problems. For example, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or other digestive disorders may cause similar symptoms. For bowel cancer, although rapid bowel movements are not a typical early symptom, if accompanied by weight loss, persistent abdominal pain or significant changes in bowel Xi habits, professional advice should be sought from a doctor.
For most people, once a day of bowel movements, especially in the morning, is considered a normal bowel pattern. But it's important to recognize that everyone's bowel Xi habits are different, and this is influenced by many factors, including diet, activity level, and overall health.
What are intestinal polyps and why do they grow in the intestine?
A polyp is an excess tissue that grows on the surface of the mucous membranes of the human body and is usually named after where it grows, such as intestinal polyps in the intestines and pulmonary polyps in the lungs. To date, the exact cause of polyps remains to be further studied, but it is known to be related to several key factors: genetic factors, dietary Xi, specific diseases, and inflammatory stimuli.
From a genetic point of view, the formation of polyps is related to genetic mutations. If there is a genetic mutation in the family member, this genetic predisposition may be passed on to the offspring.
In terms of diet, long-term consumption of a diet high in protein, fat and fiber is associated with an increased risk of intestinal polyps.
In addition, if an individual has a weakened immune system, or has coronary heart disease, diabetes, or has had a gallbladder removed or underwent radiation therapy, these factors may also increase the risk of intestinal polyps.
In addition, people who have chronic colitis, Crohn's disease, or chronic ulcerative colitis for a long time are also more likely to develop polyps due to persistent inflammatory irritation.
If there are polyps in the intestines, there may be 3 signals during bowel movements
Changes in bowel Xi habits: Normally, people's bowel patterns are relatively fixed. However, intestinal polyps can cause changes in bowel patterns. This change may manifest as constipation or diarrhea. When constipated, you may feel constipated, accompanied by bloating and discomfort, while diarrhea is characterized by frequent bowel movements and loose stools. Both of these situations should be of concern to us for a long time.
Bloody stools: If you find bright red blood in your stool, it's a warning sign that shouldn't be ignored. In particular, larger polyps near the rectum are prone to bleeding. This bleeding may be accompanied by pain in the anus.
Abdominal pain and discomfort: A healthy gut usually doesn't cause constant discomfort. However, intestinal polyps can sometimes cause abdominal discomfort, especially when polyps grow or bleed. The pain may be mild or paroxysmal, with symptoms of bloating or indigestion.
Are intestinal polyps cancerous?
Intestinal polyps can be divided into two categories: neoplastic and non-neoplastic, with inflammatory and hyperplastic polyps usually not having the potential to become cancerous. These polyps are often associated with the body's inflammatory response and tend to resolve spontaneously when inflammation is controlled. However, adenomatous polyps do carry some potential for cancer, especially if they are large and numerous.
It is important to understand that the likelihood of a polyp becoming cancer is influenced by a variety of factors, such as the size, type and number of polyps. In general, small, single adenomatous polyps have a lower risk of becoming cancerous, while larger, numerous polyps have a higher risk.
When intestinal polyps are found, there is no need to worry too much, the key is to diagnose and treat them promptly. In most cases, doctors recommend endoscopic surgery to remove polyps, which is less invasive, has a faster recovery, and is effective in reducing the risk of polyp malignancy. Colonoscopy is an effective way to find and remove most intestinal polyps and help prevent them from getting worse. Intestinal polyps that are large or have become malignant may require more complex surgical treatment.