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Colon therapy is the process of cleansing and flushing out the colon, or
large intestine. Also called colonic irrigation or colonic hydrotherapy, the
treatment is similar to an enema but more extensive. Whereas an enema (which you
can do yourself) bathes only the lower portion of the colon, colonic irrigation
(which must be done by a trained practitioner) attempts to clean the
entire--roughly five-foot--length.
Those who espouse colon therapy say
that the health of the colon can affect the health of the entire body. This
theory holds little credence with the majority of conventional physicians,
however. They believe there is no reason whatsoever to irrigate the colon,
except in some cases of constipation and before certain surgical procedures,
such as a colonoscopy. They also contend that the best way to care for the colon
is to let its own natural physiological actions keep it in good working order.
Nevertheless, therapies to cleanse the
colon have been around for thousands of years. The earliest recorded versions
have been traced to physicians of ancient Egypt, who used devices similar to
those employed for modern-day enemas. To improve one's well-being in
17th-century France it was fashionable to "enjoy" as many as three or four
enemas a day.
Irrigation of the entire colon only
came into prominence during the late 19th century, when Russian microbiologist
Ilya Ilich Mechnikov first described the concept of "autointoxication." He
argued that the body could actually poison itself as the toxins from fecal
matter were absorbed through the lining of the large intestine and into the
bloodstream.
The article created a wave of
enthusiasm among conventional physicians, and for the next three decades various
devices for colon irrigation became a common sight in the offices of many M.D.s,
as well as in hospitals and nursing homes. Among the ailments for which doctors
typically recommended colon therapy were high blood pressure, heart disease,
arthritis, and depression.
Colon therapy flourished until the 1940s, when scientific articles began
to argue that there was little evidence to support the idea of autointoxication
and to suggest laxatives as a far easier option. It didn't take long for the
irrigation devices to disappear from doctors' offices, but the therapy was far
from forgotten. It continued to be popular with chiropractors and naturopaths,
who firmly believed in the benefits of what they now preferred to call
"detoxification."
Today some alternative practitioners
continue to use colonic irrigation as part of a basic detoxification program,
though many prefer to recommend herbal laxatives in supplement form. And there
is still enough interest in colon therapy for several
U.S. companies to
manufacture irrigating devices, and for the number of colon therapists to
increase annually.
In 1989, the International Association
for Colon Hydrotherapy was founded to provide training and certification for
colon therapists worldwide. Today, thousands of people continue to seek out
colon therapy for detoxification and health maintenance.
As part of the digestive tract, the
colon aids in digestion and the elimination of waste products. When the colon is
packed with accumulated, hardened feces due to a poor diet, constipation, or
some other gastrointestinal problem, waste can build up. According to proponents
of colon therapy, this buildup can result in stagnation and decay of the fecal
material in the colon. This decay, in turn, produces a whole host of bacteria
and other "toxins" that can be absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in
myriad illnesses--from a simple cold to life-threatening coronary artery
disease. Colon therapists suggest that the typical American diet, which is low
in fiber and high in red meat and other fatty foods, is a major contributor to
this problem.
Contemporary mainstream physicians
typically take a different view, pointing out that food and waste products
cannot "toxify" the body by remaining in the colon. In addition, they disapprove
of colon therapy because they say it can interfere with the natural balance of
helpful bacteria that keep the intestines functioning normally. Most
conventional doctors do agree, however, that avoiding red meat and other fatty
foods, and eating a healthy, high-fiber diet, is the best way to keep the colon
healthy.
During colonic irrigation, you will
lie on your side or back. The therapist will insert a soft, disposable plastic
tube into your rectum, which will remain in place during the entire session.
First, the therapist gently pumps a measured amount of body-temperature,
filtered water into your colon; this may contain herbs, enzymes, or other
"purifying" substances. Then, the therapist may gently massage your abdomen to
help release the impacted fecal material from the intestinal walls. Finally, the
pump is reversed, and the water is gently vacuumed back through the same tube
and into a closed waste system. There is no mess or foul odor.
The process is repeated many times
during the session, which lasts about an hour. Approximately 20 gallons of water
will be used, but unlike an enema, the therapy does not require any "race to the
toilet" afterward, since most of the water is removed by the end of the session.
Some people report feeling lighter and
more energized after colonic irrigation. Others may experience nausea, headache,
or flulike symptoms. These symptoms generally pass within a few hours. Many
colon therapists recommend the oral intake of a restorative electrolyte solution
following a colon therapy session.
The number of suggested treatments
depends on your reason for seeking out colon therapy. For general health
maintenance, once a year is usually enough. However, if you have a chronic
condition (such as regular constipation, chronic fatigue, or persistent
digestive complaints), you may need several treatments within a few weeks.
There are no scientific studies to
support any therapeutic claims for colon therapy. On an individual basis, people
do report that colon treatments relieve the distention and bloating associated
with constipation and help restore regular bowel movements. Anecdotal evidence
suggests that colon therapy may be useful for a number of ailments including
indigestion, gas, headaches, joint problems, allergies, asthma, skin problems,
and even toxicity from drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
As far as general colon health is
concerned, some recent reports in the conventional medical literature seem to
echo what John Harvey Kellogg preached a century ago--that a high-fat,
meat-heavy diet isn't good for the colon. These reports suggest that people who
eat a lot of red meat have a higher incidence of colon cancer than the rest of
the population. More research in this area still needs to be done, however.
How To Choose a Practitioner
Colon therapy should only be performed by a therapist certified by the
International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT) in
San Antonio, Texas. You can consult
this organization to find a certified therapist in your area. Only the state of
Florida requires colon therapists to be registered.
Be sure to visit the facility in
advance to make sure that it is clean and neat. All equipment should be
registered with the FDA. Make sure disposable tubing is used, or reusable
equipment is properly cleaned and sterilized.
Cautions
1.
If you have any questions about how colon therapy may affect your
health, discuss them with your doctor first.
2. Colon therapy is not recommended if you have
blood in your stool, severe hemorrhoids, Crohn's disease, congestive heart
failure, severe anemia, abdominal hernia, heart disease, high blood pressure,
amoebic dysentery, gastrointestinal cancer, tumors of the large intestine or
rectum, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or recent colon surgery (less than
three months).
3. If you are in the first or third trimester of
pregnancy, colon therapy is not recommended because it may induce labor.
4. Make sure the clinic you choose is clean and
that the therapist is reputable and well-trained. Infection can occur if
equipment is not properly sterilized or disposable.
5. Colon therapy is
not known to react with any drugs or medications.
6. Among the possible but remote complications of
colon therapy are perforation of the intestinal wall, disturbance in the body's
fluid balance, and heart failure caused by excess water in the blood.
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