Colonic Irrigation

Previously advocated by the likes of Princess Diana, colon cleansing, also called colon hydrotherapy and colon irrigation, seems to have caught on as a trend with a wide spectrum of people, including the young and the wannabe-young, men and women. Walk into any spa, clinic, or international hospital, and the chances are that you will find advertisements galore exhorting the beneficial effects of cleansing your body through colonic irrigation.

Colonic irrigation, however, is not a new idea. It goes back centuries. It was recorded as far back as 1,500 BC. The Egyptians wrote about it at length, explaining their belief about the colon being the key to all sorts of ailments. In 400 BC, Chai Yu-hua, who was a Chinese physician, wrote: "Purging the bowels eliminates the source of poisons, thereby permitting the blood and energy to regenerate naturally. By cleansing the bowels we repair the body." The naturopaths and the practitioners of alternative medicine of today echo the same belief about a link existing between colonic health and general wellbeing.

So, why is colon cleansing so popular these days, and why does it need to be done? The colon is the last part of the large intestine, located between the cecum and the rectum. Its functions include completing the digestive process, which involves absorbing water-soluble nutrients and synthesizing certain vitamins. It is one of the major parts of the excretory system of the body, and eliminates food and other waste products of the body. A normally functioning colon also protects us from disease and infection, which it does with the help of a large number of friendly bacteria, like the Acidophilus, which exist in the colon and form about 70 percent of the dry matter of the fecal waste.

However, the colon gets clogged with toxic waste matter due to the typical western diet which consists of high fat, low fiber foods, sugary products, foods made with white flour, and so on. This kind of a diet reduces the efficiency of the colon, which results in the hardening of the waste matter, leading to the clogging of the digestive system.

When the waste matter is not eliminated from the body, there is a build up of bacteria and toxins, which can get back into the body, thus leading to the development of various illnesses. Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Diverticulitis, Colitis, bowel cancer, and yeast infections are all linked to a clogged colon.

In fact, the build up of un-excreted waste matter can be quite considerable. Often, what is taken to be a spare tire or a potbelly could actually be caused by the distention of the colon due to toxic waste matter being built up over a long period of time. This is the reason why many people feel much lighter and healthier, often losing a substantial amount of weight, after they get their colon cleansed.

So, what does the colon cleansing procedure actually involve, you might well ask. Well, a colonic can best be described as a gentle bath of the internal area. It is similar to an enema in some ways, but is nevertheless not quite the same. When you go in for a colonic irrigation, the rectal area is first thoroughly lubricated by the therapist, and then a lubricated speculum is gently inserted. Even though the speculum may look quite large, and may feel a little strange at first, most people do not experience any discomfort on having it inserted.

Next, the intake valve of the colonic machine is opened, allowing warm water solution into the colon. Before there is a build up of pressure to the point of discomfort, the flow of water is reversed, and the water, along with the waste matter, is gently removed, without you having to leave the table. There is no need to strain in order to hold the solution in, nor is there any feeling of distension or cramping because of an uncomfortable amount of water being introduced, as in an enema. You can just lie back relaxing, while the machine and the therapist do the cleansing work. This process is usually repeated a few times until there is a clear outflow of water. The procedure can last from 30 to 45 minutes, wherein the colon, from the rectum up to the cecum, will be cleansed thoroughly.

But, how safe is the procedure, and what do the critics say? Although there is no estimation of the number of colonic irrigation procedures carried out in the US, reports of injuries are rare. However, the potential side effects are: Perforation of the bowel; Heart failure due to too much fluid being absorbed; The electrolyte balance being disturbed; Infection caused by contaminated equipment. One of the common criticisms usually made against colonic hydrotherapy is the procedure being performed by largely unqualified practitioners.

However, most people who have had the procedure, report feeling refreshed and lighter after the procedure. Many describe it to be as refreshing as one feels after stepping out of a shower or a bath. Some of the other benefits ascribed to colon cleansing are: a clearer skin, an increase in mental clarity, reduced bloating, better balance of weight, and more energy.