Colon cleansing is fast catching up as a fantastic way to cleanse your system and as a means to prevent diseases. Before we look at the positive as well as some views from the other side, let us first define
colon cleansing and see what it is all about.
What is colon cleansing?
Colon cleansing is also known as colon hydrotherapy. Colon is an integral part of the digestive system. Due to the nature of its functions, it often happens that the colon becomes home to various bacteria and other germs.
Colon cleansing will remove waste products from the lower sigmoid colon and in some cases, the rectum also. Colon hydrotherapy is so called because the process uses water in the low pressure and is administered into the body in the presence of a qualified colon specialist. Different apparatus may be used by different practitioners but the end result is essentially the same.
Colon cleansing is also known by different names in different regions. This depends on the apparatus and the colon hydro therapist. In some places it is called colon irrigation or intestinal cleansing.
There is a difference between administering a laxative and a
colon cleansing process. Laxatives are administered orally.
Colon cleansing is usually done with the help of an enema injection. The enema is injected directly into the rectum and then into the colon. Following this, the patient excretes the wastes along with the enema. Enemas are generally used for relieving the patient from constipation or digestive problems. Oral laxatives are being increasingly used by the medical fraternity these days to relieve the mentioned problem.
Another area where colon cleansing is done is during pre surgery preparation. Before the surgery, the patient is given a dose of enema to clean the bowels and the large intestine. Sometimes, instead of injecting enema, a pinch of baking soda may be administered to the patient. This surgical procedure is called colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Sometimes due to time constraint in case of an emergency, the sodium phosphate version of enema may be used due to the speed.
Colon cleansing as a detoxifying process
Colon cleansing in alternative medicine is used more as a detoxifier of the body. People undergo colon irrigation at home by the use of enema syringes. The fact that colon irrigation is good for the body in
herbal cleansing is however not supported by the medical practitioners. Hence sale of enema syringes is banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.
Precautions
Colon cleansing must not be practiced by people suffering from Crohn’s disease, ulcers, colitis, tumors in the rectum or colon and hemorrhoids. Improper administration of enema might rupture the internal tissues and result in subsequent internal bleeding. In the event of an intestinal rupture, medical help must be immediately sought. Colon
cleansing must not be practiced by individuals with abdominal pain or a problem of a swollen appendix. The injected enema may cause the appendix to burst leading to complications such as internal infection.
