Introduction: A Question Without a Simple Answer
As a colon hydrotherapist, nutritionist, and educator, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“How did I end up with these gut issues?”
Constipation, bloating, IBS, inflammation—it often feels like they appeared out of nowhere. But the truth is: gut dysfunction is rarely sudden. It is layered, complex, and influenced by a constellation of physical, emotional, and environmental factors.
What I know today as a practitioner may evolve tomorrow. That’s the beauty—and challenge—of science. But what remains constant is this: the gut is the center of our health, and understanding its roots can unlock powerful healing.
In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the key contributing factors to gut dysfunction—many of which I explore in my book RYSE From Within: A Guide to Heal Your Gut—and the science behind how they shape our digestive health.
1. Genetics: The Blueprint—but Not the Destiny
Some individuals are born with a predisposition to digestive sensitivities or slower motility. Studies show a higher incidence of IBS and functional GI disorders in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins, suggesting a hereditary influence on gut regulation [1].
But genetics are only part of the story. Epigenetics—how our environment and choices impact gene expression—plays a major role in whether that blueprint is expressed. This is where trauma, stress, and lifestyle come into the picture.
2. Early Life Trauma & Emotional Stress
Trauma—especially in childhood—has a profound effect on the gut. Research by Drossman and others shows that individuals with a history of abuse or early adversity are more likely to experience functional GI disorders like constipation, IBS, and chronic abdominal pain [2,3].
How? The brain-gut axis, which governs communication between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system (the “second brain” in your gut), becomes dysregulated. This can lead to:
- Visceral hypersensitivity (feeling pain from normal gut sensations)
- Impaired motility
- Altered immune and inflammatory responses in the gut lining [4]
In RYSE From Within, I share stories of clients whose chronic constipation, bloating, or digestive anxiety began long after—but were rooted in—early emotional trauma. Healing, for them, began not just in the colon, but in the nervous system.
3. Antibiotics, Medications & the Microbiome
Antibiotics, while sometimes necessary, can wipe out beneficial bacteria, leading to dysbiosis—an imbalance of the gut microbiome that affects digestion, immunity, and mood [5].
Even common medications like antacids, NSAIDs, antidepressants, and opioids have been shown to affect motility or damage the gut lining over time. This is why colon hydrotherapy is often so beneficial: it supports rebalancing and clearing stagnation without chemicals.
4. Childbirth, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Hormonal Shifts
For many women, childbirth is a turning point. Vaginal delivery, trauma to the pelvic floor, and postpartum hormone shifts can all impact colon function and nervous system tone. Many new mothers quietly begin struggling with bowel changes they weren’t prepared for.
The gut is hormonally sensitive. Estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol all impact motility and microbial balance. This is why functional GI disorders are more common in women and often fluctuate with menstrual cycles or stress [6].
5. Diet, Inflammation & Lifestyle Stress
Highly processed foods, low fiber intake, artificial sweeteners, and food sensitivities (like gluten or dairy for some) contribute to chronic inflammation and slowed transit. On top of that, chronic stress diverts blood flow from the gut, impairing digestion and microbiota diversity [7].
As I wrote in RYSE From Within:
“Your gut is always listening—whether to the food you eat, the thoughts you think, or the stress you carry.”
Conclusion: It’s Not Just One Thing—It’s a Web
Gut dysfunction doesn’t come from a single cause. It’s a constellation of influences—a mosaic of your genetics, emotions, experiences, diet, and environment. That’s why healing must be just as multifaceted.
Colon hydrotherapy is one of the many tools that supports this healing process. Not because it’s a magic bullet—but because it helps remove what’s no longer serving your body, and opens space for deeper, more sustainable change.
And the best part?
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to start asking the right questions.
References
- O’Malley, D., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2011). Altered stress-induced regulation of visceral pain in IBS. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 25(6), 1322–1331.
- Drossman, D. A. (2011). Abuse, trauma, and GI illness: Is there a link? American Journal of Gastroenterology, 106(1), 14–25.
- Tanaka, Y., et al. (2011). Biopsychosocial model of IBS. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 17(2), 131–139.
- Crowell, M. D., et al. (2005). Brain-gut connections in functional GI disorders: Anatomic and physiologic relationships. Neurogastroenterol Motil, 17, 131–140.
- Mayer, E. A., et al. (2014). Gut/brain axis and the microbiota. Gastroenterology Clinics, 43(1), 35–51.
- Piacentino, D., et al. (2021). Gut-brain axis in GI motility: Insights into the pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 11(3), 577–589.
- Zhang, Y., et al. (2016). The influence of colonic irrigation on human intestinal microbiota. InTechOpen.