a “housekeeping” mechanism.
In most people, this reflex is mild. You might feel a slight urge to go, but it is not urgent. However, in some individuals, the gastrocolic reflex is
exaggerated. It is hyperactive. The colon contracts with excessive force and frequency, leading to a sudden, urgent need to defecate. This is often referred to as a “hyperactive gastrocolic reflex.” It is more common in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but it can occur in healthy individuals as well. The speed at which this happens varies. For
