If one suffers from any digestive problems such as constipation, indigestion, diarrhea, pyrosis (heartburn), peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, acidity etc. then bowel cleansing could be the preferred way to treat such ailments. But then, with every treatment, there is little disadvantage and so it goes true with colon cleansing too.
Generally, colon cleansing is considered to be safe and innocent for everyone but the market including clinic, Internet and health magazines are loaded with dozens of advertisements about cleansing the colon. One should not get mesmerized towards the punch-liners that boast about benefits of bowel cleansing and to get optimum/supreme health within few hours! The Rome was not built in a day and hence, you cannot get great health overnight with the help of colon cleansing. We shall glance at some of the hazards that colon cleansing can get, if performed wrongly.
The colon hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation is worldwide accepted therapy to cleanse the colons. It is very old way of treatment (about 3000 year old, found in Egyptian medical documents). The procedure is controversial and can turn into dangerous situation. It should be performed by professional and well trained practitioner. The temperature of the water used for such therapy has to lie specifically between certain degrees and if it goes beyond it, it can burn the intestinal cells and can harm the tract. The colon hydrotherapy also requires to be noted for its input quantity and output. The water inserted into the intestines should come out in a specific quantity and if it retains within the intestines for a long period and does not come out, it may create some complications such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting etc.
Another effective and widely accepted therapy for colon cleansing includes using herbs i.e. herbal colon cleansing therapy. The herbs used in colon cleansing possess natural cleansing properties but only when they are used properly, in specific quantity/dosage. In some cases, if a person is allergic to any of the ingredients used in colon cleansing therapy material, it can create irritation in the intestines and can harm the gastrointestinal tract.
The herbs are to be used in specific quantity for a specific problem. For instance, in South Asian region, Terminalia chebula has been used to cleanse the colon, especially in case of constipation but if the dose exceeds, it causes diarrhea and then requires medication to stop diarrhea! On the other hand, herbs used to get rid of parasites/worms are generally ‘spicy’ or ‘hot’ in their properties and if used in excess, can create burning sensation in stomach and/or intestines. Probiotics, used to treat colon problem should be consumed in particular quantity since over dose will create abdominal cramps and diarrhea/constipation.
Some of the colon-cleansing products have reported to cause Gastroesophageal refluxes in some individuals and hence, it is to be taken with caution.
Whatever the technique is adopted to cleanse the colons, it should be performed by professional and in accurate dosage, failure to which, may lead to hazardous conditions of the intestines and so for the individual.
