When I first started to specialise in gut health and digestion, my family (well, it was my brother actually) used to joke that I sat and talked sh*t all day. What he didn’t realise is that our bowel movements give us an incredible amount of insight into what is going on in our body – they act like a report card for our health and can tell us the areas that are working well and those that might need a bit of extra attention. If you’ve ever had a consult with me and have experienced the depth of discussion we can get into about poo, you know exactly what I’m talking about! For those of you who are yet to experience this conversation, our bowel movements should look ideally like a long sausage. They should be easy to pass and we should be left feeling empty and satisfied afterwards (Fun Fact: your body releases endorphins after you do a good poo!).
One of the things that has always intrigued me (in addition to the gut and all things digestion) is the connection between our mind and our body (and vice versa). I’m always aware of this when I’m in clinic as we know there is a very strong connection between the gut and the brain and we’ve got the research to back it up. Research has come a long way in a relatively short space of time and we are currently seeing around 1 paper published every hour that links gut health to many other aspects of our health and wellness. If you were still on the fence about the importance of gut health, there’s your clincher!
One of the things I have been noticing over the last few years are the patterns between ‘personality’ and ‘poo types’. When treating gut conditions, I think it’s important to go beyond the usual ‘gut protocols’ to really help someone get well. Yes, food, probiotics and supplements play a very important role, but we also need to consider how we manage our thoughts and the programming of our nervous system. The connection between our gut and our nervous system is designed to keep us safe. The food we eat allows for messages to go to our nervous system so we can determine where we are in the world and if any adaptations are needed. The flip side to this is that our nervous system is constantly taking information from the world around us, internalising, processing and helping our cells get ready for anything that we might need to deal with. So, with all this in mind, this is what I’ve noticed.
Constipation
If we think about the basic physiological response that happens when we are constipated, our bowel becomes constricted and tight, so much so, that nothing moves. I tend to see this presentation when people are ‘holding on’ or there is a strong desire to control things (Type-A and perfectionist personalities, I’m talking to you!) This control usually stems from a very fixed belief system or emotion, or we might be trying to keep things exactly as they are. Yes, constipation can also be due to poor liver function, dehydration and lack of fibre, but if this is an issue for you, I also encourage you to think about the areas of your life where you might not be fully expressing the way you feel or perhaps are being a little bit controlling. Where are you feeling restricted? Maybe you’re in a relationship that has pasted its expiry date, but you’re not sure how to walk away. Perhaps you career is no longer inspiring you the way it used to, but it’s all you know so you feel compelled to stay. Where do you feel stuck?
When we are constipated, there are no contractions in the bowel – meaning nothing moves forward. One of the ways I see this play out is through feelings of stagnation or a fear of moving forward. I often ask my patients to think of the areas in their life where they are being a bit stubborn or over-determined to see something through even if it isn’t making them happy. What are you holding on to just because you have always done so? Where are you holding back or not allowing yourself to move forward? Is it being driven by guilt or fear or resentment? Something for you to ponder.
The other trait that I have noticed with constipation is that of ‘dryness’. Some people drink all the water in the world and still, it makes no impact on their bowel health at all! Just as dry pebbly bowel movements are unsatisfying, so too are the dryer parts of your life. Where are you feeling unsatisfied? Where could you do with an injection of inspiration? Maybe your social life is non-existent because you spend so much time working or you are in a rut with your relationship. When people start to focus on bringing the fun back and let go of the things controlling them, they often find that their life (and bowel movements) become much more satisfying!
Diarrhoea
This is an interesting one. I should point out that if you are getting diarrhoea, we must first rule out gut infection, food intolerances and a whole host of other things, but there is usually still a very strong emotional connection when people get the runs. People who get diarrhoea often feel out of control and they don’t know what to do to get back on track. Part of the reason I think this happens is because they are not taking the time to process. Think about your bowel and transit time – if food moves through too quickly you don’t absorb anything and are left feeling unnourished. The same is true in a mind:body sense.
For patients who get diarrhoea, I like to encourage them to think about what they have not fully processed. Usually this is some sort of emotional baggage; something they know they need to deal with, but have been avoiding. Ever noticed a bout of diarrhoea when you need to have a difficult conversation, but really don’t want to? For people who have had long standing diarrhoea that is unresponsive to treatment, it could also be from something that happened a very long time ago and you may not even realise that this thing is still holding you back. I find kinesiology to be quite effective here.
Diarrhoea or mushy movements can also be driven by a fear of ‘missing out’. These people tend to go a million miles an hour, expect a lot from themselves, and while they might do a lot, they never really get to do things properly. Things are very much on the surface and these people tend to go broad, but not deep; your typical ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ type. If this is something that resonates with you, consider where you need to slow down. What are you racing through? Are you spreading yourself a little too thin? How could you take the more scenic route through life?
Alternating bowel habits or not real pattern at all
This is probably one of the most common presentations that I see in clinic. These people tend to be either ‘on or off’, ‘black or white’ or ‘all or nothing’ types of personalities. There can often be underlying insecurities driven by wanting to be liked/fit in and people who present with alternating bowel habits usually feel like they never really know where they stand. This could be at work, in a relationship, with family or friends etc. and as a result, they swing from one thing to the next and back again. Their bowel habits are usually reflective of this.
The other thing that tends to show up with alternating bowel habits is that people can feel that they are stuck between two realities. Most commonly this is who they are being and who they want to be. I try to encourage people to think about where there might be inauthenticity in their life. Are there any areas that you are acting one way, but wanting something else? Work, relationships and living arrangements are usually up there on the list creating disharmony for many people.
Of course, as I mentioned, we need to be mindful of all the other areas that might be affecting our digestive system. If you are at the very commencement of your ‘gut journey’ I recommend booking a consultation with a practitioner who specialises in this area, but if you feel you have been doing everything ‘right’ and things still are not settled, it might be time to look outside the box and take a look inwards. Trust your gut! The answer probably has been there all along!
