Dysbiosis and hydrocolon therapy: how to restore intestinal well-being

By Cristiano Antonino On Feb 24, 2023

Dysbiosis and hydrocolon therapy: the gut and its well-being play an increasingly important recognised role in the human body

Scientific studies in recent years and the introduction of concepts such as ‘microbiota’, ‘gut dysbiosis’ and ‘hydrocolon therapy’ show, in fact, how a healthy gut is fundamental to maintaining a fit body as a whole.

What is the microbiota

Microbiota comes from the Greek ‘mikròs=small’ + ‘bìos= life’.

It indicates, in fact, a collection of tiny living organisms, visible under a microscope, that interconnect and interact with each other within a given environment that they occupy and that, in the case of the human body, can be, for example

oral cavities (nose and mouth);
stomach;
intestine;
skin;
ear;
vagina;
urinary tract;
etc.

Talking specifically about the gut microbiota, therefore, means the microorganisms that populate the gut and that in the past were also referred to, very simplistically, as ‘intestinal flora’.

Microbiota and microbiome

Microbiota is not to be confused with the term microbiome, which, on the other hand, refers to the genetic make-up (set of genes and DNA) of the microbiota and makes up about 90% of the total human genes (made up of microbiome genes + human genome).

How the gut microbiota is composed

The gut microbiota alone is made up of 1,000 billion microorganisms, essentially divided into 3 basic categories called ‘enterotypes

bacteria (bacteriota): make up the majority of the microbiota;
fungi (mycota): for example, the candida naturally present in the gut;
viruses (virota): the set of viruses in the microbiota is specific to each individual, but its function has yet to be fully explored.

The composition of the microbiota varies between populations and individuals themselves, depending also on elements such as:

genetic heritage;
personal and environmental factors;
diet.

It also changes with age.

What is the gut microbiota for

The relationship between man and the microbiota is one of coexistence with mutual benefits in that the human being provides the microorganisms with nutrients, while they perform the functions necessary to maintain a state of wellbeing in the host organism.

In a nutshell, we can say that these functions are

structural: the microbiota determines the development of the immune system (70/80% of which resides in the intestine), the intestinal villi (important for the absorption of nutrients and gluten) and the cells of the epithelium (the outer tissue of the intestine that, among other things, prevents the passage of bacteria to the blood system through which they would spread in the body (epithelial barrier));
metabolic: they synthesise vitamins, amino acids, short-chain fatty acids and enzymes. They also control cell proliferation;
protective: they protect against infection and promote the activation of the immune system to eliminate abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.

Intestinal dysbiosis

Maintaining a balance between the different ‘good’ (non-pathogenic) and ‘harmful’ (pathogenic) bacterial species in the gut is of paramount importance.

Normally, the good ones predominate, ensuring a condition of intestinal wellbeing and balance called ‘eubiosis’.

When, on the other hand, the good intestinal flora is damaged and pathogenic bacteria take over, we speak of ‘dysbiosis’.

Dysbiosis’ is caused by a variety of external and internal factors, such as

unbalanced diets: a diet rich in processed foods, alcohol, sugar and low in fibre, fruit and vegetables is linked to both premature ageing and inflammatory processes;
stress and an unhealthy lifestyle (e.g. smoking);
food intolerances, intestinal infections;
antibiotic therapies: antibiotics alter the diversity of the microbiota with the possibility also of creating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. For this reason, they should only be used under strict medical supervision.

Symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis

Intestinal dysbiosis can have different levels of alteration and can be characterised by a continuation of symptoms such as:

abdominal bloating
meteorism (bloated belly);
constant digestive difficulties;
chronic, even alternating constipation or diarrhoea;
sense of intestinal burning;
constant exhaustion;
frequent headaches.

It is estimated that about 40-70% of patients making a gastroenterological examination suffer from dysbiosis, often confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Risks of intestinal dysbiosis

An incorrect and prolonged dysbiosis leads to a state of microinflammation of the colon with breakdown of the mucous barrier and increased intestinal permeability (‘Leaky Gut Syndrome’).

As a result, foreign and toxic substances (fungi, bacteria, macromolecules, allergenic substances, etc.) are poured from the intestine into the bloodstream, which go on to attack, through the production of inflammatory cytokines or ‘abnormal’ antibodies, other organs/apparatuses at systemic level.

There is therefore a risk of the onset or progression of pathologies and problems such as

local gastrointestinal diseases (chronic colitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.)
autoimmune and/or rheumatic diseases
diseases of the genito-urinary system (prostatitis, cystitis, vaginitis, etc.)
dermatological diseases (dermatitis, allergies, eczema, etc.)
diseases of the cardiovascular system
allergies and/or intolerances;
metabolic diseases;
celiac disease;
obesity;
oncological diseases;

Studies are also underway on the analysis of the possible relationship between the microbiota and autism and the development of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

In the presence of persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, associated with any general symptoms, it is always advisable, therefore, to consult the gastroenterologist.

The gastroenterological examination is carried out in several steps

general overview, aimed at outlining the patient’s lifestyle and medical history;
request for first-level tests;
study of the microbiota and hydrocolon therapy sessions.

All within a therapeutic programme aimed at restoring eubiosis.

Hydrocolon therapy: when it is needed and how it works

Hydrocolon therapy, or ‘colon therapy with water’, is a practice that is thought to have been known in rudimentary form in ancient Egypt.

Nowadays, it consists of washing the colon with water irrigations, in a process similar (though milder) to the colon wash introduced in 2010 by Dr Cosentino as preparation for colonoscopy.

Hydrocolon therapy purifies and detoxifies the intestine, and is therefore very useful as a support treatment for conventional therapies in the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation; chronic diarrhoea; meteorism; abdominal bloating; intestinal burning; etc.) or extra-digestive pathologies often linked to intestinal dysfunction such as uro-genital tract disorders (candidiasis; vaginitis; cystitis; prostatitis, etc.) or skin disorders (e.g., skin disorders (e.g., vaginitis, cystitis, prostatitis, etc.). ) or skin disorders (acne; dermatitis; eczema, etc.).

How it is performed

The patient is made to lie on his or her left side, while the operator introduces into the rectum and gently manoeuvres a small cannula from which lukewarm water at constant temperature and pressure comes out, which, accompanied by a gentle manual massage, cleanses the colon of toxins and faecal material.

The waste product escapes together with the dirty water into a second closed-circuit channel.

The procedure is usually carried out in cycles lasting about 30-40 minutes per session, usually without any sedation, as hydrocolon therapy generally does not produce any discomfort, but rather, once it is over, the patient declares a sense of lightness and well-being.

Preparation and contraindications

Before the procedure, it is recommended to fast for at least 4 hours and to avoid the consumption of fatty foods in the 2 days preceding the procedure.

In rare cases, transient meteorism may occur, but it is not common.