The Hidden Impact of Chronic Constipation: A Tribute to BA and a Wake-Up Call for Digestive Health

In loving memory of BA, who left us too soon due to colon cancer in her early forties. This post is not just a reflection on her journey but a call to action to decode the messages our bodies send us—messages that are too often dismissed. This is dedicated to her and the many years of study I’ve spent understanding digestive health in her memory.

The Alarming Reality of "Normal" Bowel Movements

What medical professionals often consider "normal" can sometimes be dangerously misleading. When a doctor tells a patient that it's fine to have a bowel movement just once a week, they may be overlooking a crucial red flag. This was something BA spoke about during our conversations at playgroups over 15 years ago that still lingers on.

The truth is that our digestive health is a cornerstone of our overall well-being. Normal bowel movement frequency ranges between three times a day to three times a week, but more importantly, how you feel during and after matters. Ayurveda—the ancient science of life—teaches us that digestion is the foundation of health. Ignoring the signs, like constipation, means missing an opportunity to decode the root cause of imbalance.

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The Childhood Journey: When Early Signs Are Ignored

The Young Years

Imagine: you're a 4-year-old child. For four long years you’ve struggled with constipation. Your belly is bloated and uncomfortable, filled with what feels like hard marbles. You haven't had a real poop in three days—or ever—and you don’t even know what healthy poop is supposed to look like. When asked about your hunger, you say, "I’m not hungry," but all you crave are sugary foods that provide a fleeting sense of satisfaction.

Your parents and doctors tell you, “You’re just a picky eater,” and suggest giving you more fiber. They might even say, “This is normal for kids; it happens to everyone,” while handing you a fiber supplement.

But what if, instead of dismissing it as normal, the adults in your life paused and asked:

• Why is my child constipated?

• What is causing this discomfort?

• Could this be the beginning of a deeper imbalance?

  
  

If constipation wasn’t dismissed but instead decoded, the root cause could have been identified. Ayurveda teaches us that digestive issues are often the body's way of signaling deeper imbalances, whether it's stress, poor diet, or weak "Agni" (digestive fire). Addressing these early could have prevented years of struggle.

Now imagine by 8 years old, the struggle continues. You’ve now dealt with years of constipation and it feels like a normal part of your life. Your belly still aches and while you might find temporary relief in sugary snacks, you notice your energy is low, and your mood swings are frequent. Adults around you say, “Just eat more fiber and your moody,” but they don’t realize that the body needs more than just fiber; it needs a balanced approach to digestion.

What if someone had asked:

• Why is her digestion still off after all these years?

• Could her gut health be tied to her hunger cues and mood?

• What is her body trying to tell us?

  
  

If someone had connected the dots, they would have seen how chronic constipation disrupts gut bacteria, leading to systemic inflammation, hormone imbalance, and even cravings for sugar (a vicious cycle). Ayurveda would have sought to strengthen digestion, cleanse toxins, and balance her hormones naturally, before it spiraled into more serious conditions.

The Hormonal Connection: From Constipation to Chronic Conditions

By 18 she carries laxatives in her purse everywhere she goes. She’s tried every gut cleanse, probiotic, and trendy gut-health fad on the market, hoping for a cure. But the bloating, fatigue, sugar cravings, and skin issues persist. Doctors tell her, “It’s stress. You need to relax.”. The gut-brain connection explains why digestive problems can lead to mood swings and energy issues. Remarkably, about 90% of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut, highlighting why digestive health profoundly impacts mental well-being.

But what if someone had said:

• Stress may play a role, but why is your digestion still off after all these years?

• Could constipation be the key to understanding your fatigue, mood swings, and cravings?

• What if we explored the gut-brain-skin connection to heal from the inside out?

  
  

In Ayurveda, the gut is seen as the root of all health. When toxins (Ama) build up due to sluggish digestion, they disrupt not just physical processes but also mental clarity and emotional well-being. If this young adult’s constipation had been seen as a symptom of deeper imbalances, her health journey could have been entirely different.

The 30s: When It All Feels Like Too Much

By her 30s she’s exhausted. Lab tests keep coming back “normal,” but she doesn’t feel normal. She’s gained weight that won’t budge, battles sugar cravings, experiences painful PMS, and wakes up feeling foggy and fatigued—even after 8 hours of sleep. Her thyroid is borderline, but no one offers solutions beyond medication. She’s told, “This is just aging, and it happens to everyone.”

But what if someone had asked:

• Why has her health steadily declined since childhood?

• Could her borderline thyroid, weight gain, and PMS be connected to years of poor digestion?

• What if constipation was never just about poop but a signal of deeper imbalances?

  
  

Ayurveda teaches us that when toxins linger in the body and estrogen builds up, it leads to issues like PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, and even fibroids. Poor gut health affects nutrient absorption, weakens digestion, and disrupts mental clarity. If constipation had been decoded earlier, her thyroid, liver, and hormones could have been supported naturally, preventing years of struggle.

The Ayurvedic Perspective: Decoding Constipation at Any Age

Ayurveda offers an entirely different approach to health. Instead of treating isolated symptoms (like constipation) with laxatives, it seeks to understand why digestion is weak in the first place. It looks at:

• The quality of your "Agni" (digestive fire)

• The accumulation of toxins (Ama)

• The balance of the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha)

  
  

From this perspective, constipation becomes a starting point for decoding the root cause of imbalance. By strengthening digestion, cleansing toxins, and addressing lifestyle factors, Ayurveda helps restore balance at any age. This ancient understanding aligns with modern research showing how gut health influences:

• Immune function

• Hormone balance

• Mental health

• Nutrient absorption

• Energy levels

The Gut-Brain-Skin Axis: A Complex Web

The impact of poor digestive health extends far beyond the gut. Research has revealed that dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) can lead to:

• Increased intestinal permeability ("leaky gut")

• Systemic inflammation

• Skin conditions and acne

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Mood disorders and anxiety

  
  

Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Is the First Step

The journey from childhood constipation to adult health issues isn't inevitable. By understanding these connections, we can take proactive steps:

1. Recognize Normal: Healthy bowel movements should be regular, daily and comfortable, not a weekly occurrence.

2. Address Root Causes: Look beyond symptoms to understand the underlying digestive imbalances.

3. Consider Holistic Approaches: Integrate traditional wisdom like Ayurveda with modern medical understanding.

4. Support Gut Health: Focus on diet, lifestyle, and stress management to maintain healthy digestion.

A Personal Dedication: In Memory of BA

This blog is dedicated to BA, my dear friend who passed away far too young from colon cancer. I’ll never forget the conversations we had during playgroups, where she told me her doctor said it was normal to only go once a week. I remember her laughter, her strength, and the way she cared for everyone around her.

Her story is the reason I’ve spent years studying the connection between digestion and overall health. I’ve come to understand that constipation is never “just constipation.” It’s a signal—a message from your body that something deeper is going on.

I write this in her memory, hoping to raise awareness about the importance of gut health, to prevent someone else from losing a loved one too soon. If you or someone you love is struggling with chronic constipation or digestive issues, don’t dismiss it. Instead, decode it. Listen to your body and seek answers.

BA’s memory lives on in every conversation I have about health, every piece of knowledge I share, and every person I help. May her story inspire others to take their health seriously and never ignore the signs their body is sending them.

In memory of BA, with love,

Dodi