Colonics goes by various names, such as colonic irrigation and colon cleansing. Doctors recommend colonics if they need to perform colonoscopy or detoxify a patient. It involves eliminating the bacteria and waste materials from your bowel and digestive system.
Colonics procedure
The procedure to perform colon cleansing may sound gross, but it’s effective in flushing out the toxins from your bowel. A colonic hygienist will first insert a tube through your rectum and send approximately 16 gallons of water. Sometimes, a smaller amount of water may be used depending on the quantity of waste accumulated inside. The other side of the tube that comes out through the colon will flush toxins that don’t eliminate easily.
Sometimes, the colonic hygienist may decide to leave a small amount of water in the colon and ask you to rest for a short period. He will later remove the water from the colon and may repeat the procedure multiple times until all the toxins flush out.
According to doctors, toxins in your gastrointestinal tract can be the root cause of various health problems, like high blood pressure and arthritis. They believe that cleansing the colon and removing toxins lead to a string of health benefits, such as enhancing your immune system and boosting your energy.
Benefits of colonics
Colonics can treat various problems related to your digestive system.
● Bloating
● Diarrhea
● Vomiting
● Nausea
Apart from these four problems, doctors also recommend colonic if you cramp up frequently or want to lose weight. Although this treatment is not a long-term solution for weight loss, it may make you feel lighter right after the procedure.
How long does it take to perform colonics?
A colonic hygienist usually takes approximately 45 minutes to perform colon irrigation. He will start by examining your rectum. Next, he will take a 1.5-inch speculum and attach it to an inlet and outlet tube. Once the setup is ready, he will send small amounts of filtered water. The hygienist, at the same time, will gently massage your abdominal area to remove gas pockets and waste materials.
Precautions before performing colonics
If this is the first time you will undergo a colonic procedure, you should take a few precautions, such as the following:
Always talk to your personal physician about your plan to get colon irrigation. He is the best person to suggest whether it’s a safe procedure for you or not. Sometimes, a few specific medications may cause side effects after the procedure is complete. If you are on those medications, it will be better to not opt for colonics. The doctor would know best whether the medicines may create a problem later or not.
Make sure you go to an experienced and certified colon-cleansing practitioner. Check the reviews of the clinic before visiting. Don’t forget to ask whether the hygienist uses disposable equipment or not. For example, he should discard the inlet and outlet tube after each procedure. See whether he is using a brand-new tube for you or not.
Make a list of the colon-cleansing products that you usually use at home. Show the list to the doctor before he performs the procedure. He can accordingly decide how much water to send inside your colon at the time of cleansing it.
Who should avoid colonics?
As already mentioned, you should check with a doctor whether the colonic procedure is suitable for you or not. Make sure you avoid the procedure if you have the following problems:
● Ischemic colitis or ulcerative colitis
● Crohn’s disease
● Diverticulitis
● If you had colon surgery before
● If you had heart surgery or already have heart diseases
● If you have kidney disease
Undergoing colonic procedure even after you have any of the above health problems may lead to acute kidney failure, heart failure, pancreatitis, infection, bowel perforation, and dehydration. Don’t forget to choose a hydrotherapist who has certification from the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (IACH) or National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy (NBCH).
Colonics may be a safe procedure to keep your colon clean and toxin-free. But it’s important to ensure that your body is ready for this treatment. You wouldn’t want to go from the clinic to the hospital instead of your home. Therefore, keep the safety precautions in mind and talk to a doctor before finally undergoing the procedure.
