Colon Hydrotherapy: Pros and Cons of Colon Detoxing

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In recent years, detoxing claims promising effects that benefit the body and its entirety. It claims to help the liver and kidneys detox the body, and some of the people who have engaged in this practice say that it helped them in their weight loss. Probably, weight loss was the culprit to the sudden entrance of detoxing in the limelight. While detoxing nowadays is associated with a diet trend, detox does not apply to weight loss alone. In hospitals, there is a procedure which is called Colon Hydrotherapy.

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What is Colon Hydrotherapy?

Commonly used as preparation for other procedures like colonoscopy, Mayo Clinic said that some practitioners offer colon cleansing or colon hydrotherapy as detoxification. However, they added that this procedure is unnecessary because the body does detoxification in the colon through the stools that are the waste material of the food after the body absorbed its nutrients during the digestion.

It is known that the colon is one of the most important parts of the digestive system. According to Medicine Net, the long, coiled tube-like organ is responsible for removing the water from the digested food. Also called the large intestine, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) said that diseases could strike the colon. They added that these diseases are comprised of a broad range of conditions, ailments, and severity that can vary from mildly irritating to life-threatening.

According to Very Well Health, a tube is inserted in the rectum during the colon detoxing procedure where water - sometimes mixed with additives - is impelled through the colon. They added that after a waiting period where the physician is, or the therapist will massage the abdomen so that the fluid will move, the patient would be instructed to flush out the fluid inside the colon.

Healthline highlights the benefits of colon cleansing, such as weight loss, better digestion, increased energy, and clearer thinking. Very Well Health added that fecal matter is believed to trouble the digestive system and the immune system. They added that colonic hydrotherapy advocates strongly believe that detoxing can uphold optimal colonic health and treat various medical ailments. Mayo Clinic added that other experts believe that the GI tract toxins may cause other health problems such as high blood pressure and arthritis.

Precautions

Very Well Health mentions the reported risks from the people who have tried the procedure include fatal electrolyte imbalances and punctures of the colon during the colonic tube's insertion. Mayo Clinic added that infection and dehydration might also occur. Very Well Health furthers that introduction of substances - like the water with additives or non-sterile water - may possess risks because it may contain harmful organisms that may harm the colon. They added that the colon tissues are delicate, that even low concentrations of microorganisms can be harmful. While taking care of your colon will benefit many things for the body, remember that these procedures still have risks alongside their benefits. Bear in mind that experts should do this kind of procedure to ensure your safety.

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