Is Colon Irrigation Right for You?

Colon irrigation is also called colon cleansing or colon hydrotherapy. This procedure involves inserting fluids through the anus for the purpose of flushing out the large intestine. Those who support this procedure say it provides many health benefits. Others say colon irrigation is actually a dangerous procedure.

Research has been done on colon irrigation for a very long time and very few studies find any actual health benefits to colon irrigation. Whether or not it is harmful has to do with each individual and what method is used for the procedure. The most common colon irrigation method involves the patient wearing a loose hospital-like gown and lying on a table. The anus is opened up and a tube is inserted to allow fluids (purified water or salt water) to flow up through the rectum and the colon. The fluid is then drained through the tube and properly disposed of.

There is little evidence to support the health claims of colon irrigation. It is highly unlikely that your colon is impacted with feces that cannot be removed through normal digestion. If there are problems with the digestive system, it usually means there is a medical problem that colon irrigation cannot cure.

The idea behind colon hydrotherapy is not valid. There is no evidence that toxins build up in the intestines and need to be flushed out using colon irrigation. Your body is able to remove the waste and toxins from the intestines on its own naturally. There are illnesses that affect the digestive system including Crohn's disease and colon cancer. People with these illnesses should never have colon irrigation.

When it is done right, colon irrigation is usually a safe procedure that does provide benefits for some people. People feel better mentally knowing they are clean. If the colon irrigation is not done carefully, there is the chance of damaging the intestines or rupturing tissues.

Your digestive system functions as a one-way process so there is no evidence that the material removed through colon irrigation would not have been removed naturally by the digestive system. Also, colon irrigation cannot treat intestinal parasites as some people claim.

The side effects of a colon irrigation can include stomach pain and nausea for a couple of hours. If any laxatives are introduced during the colon irrigation, the kidneys can be damaged. You should always talk to your doctor before undergoing any medical procedure, including a colon irrigation. Listen to what your doctor says and do your own research instead of just blindly believing the claims that proponents of the procedure make.