There is currently some debate within the medical community about the benefits of colon cleansing.
Colon cleansing is not a new procedure. In fact, the practice goes back centuries. Within Western cultures, colon cleansing began to pick up in popularity during the 1920's and 1930's.
What is natural colon cleansing?
There are two primary methods of colon cleansing. There
are at home methods that typically involve product usage,
and then there are procedures performed by medical professionals.
Powdered or Liquid Supplements
Some people prefer to take oral products to cleanse their colons.
You can find these products at your local drug stores or nutritional retail establishments. These products work to push any remaining materials out of the colon. Common
products designed to produce these effects include:
Laxatives
Enemas
Herbal teas
Powders
Capsules
Most of these products are designed to take effect slowly, thereby not producing any harmful side effects for your system.
Colonics
For a different approach to colon cleansing, some people prefer colon irrigation, otherwise referred to as colonics.
These procedures are performed by medical professionals and work somewhat like an enema. However, these procedures are designed to use high volumes of water in order to remove all fecal matter, without discomfort or unpleasant odors. The patient lies on a table while gallons of water are pumped through their colon. The total session may last around an hour.
What is the theory behind natural colon cleansing?
So, you may be wondering why individuals seek colon cleansing through over the counter products or by the care of a medical practitioner.
Over time, foods can begin to build up in the colon. Certain kinds of build up can produce toxins, which some believe can enter the body through the blood stream. These toxins are believed to produce certain negative health side effects, including:
Headaches
Fatigue
Weight gain
Reduced energy levels
There is still some debate within the medical community about whether these toxins are in fact absorbed by the body and whether or not colon therapies will effectively reduce their absorption.
In addition to reducing these harmful toxins from the body, there are several purposes of having this procedure performed, including:
Increasing mental focus
Enhancing the strength of the body's immune system
Assisting the body to reduce unnecessary weight gain
Reduction in the risk of colon cancer
Colon therapies have been positive linked with reversing or addressing several health issues, including:
Ostomy
Fecal incontinence
Positive benefits following bowel surgeries
But, while there are many possible health benefits, additional clinical research is needed to validate the medical claims.
Colon Cleansing Risks
As with virtually any medical procedure, the option is not beneficial or safe for every individual.
There are many colon cleansing products available on the consumer market that have not been regulated for safety or effectiveness by the FDA. So, it is important to be cautious when purchasing products.
If you choose to see a medical specialist to have your procedure performed, be sure to seek a licensed health care provider to reduce any associated health risks.
Overall, if you decided to have a colon cleanse performed, realize that they should only be performed on an occasional basis. Risk factors increase with their frequency of usage.
Some potential side effects of the procedure include:
Nausea
Cramping
Vomiting
Dizziness from dehydration
Bowel perforation
Infection
If you experience any of these side effects following a colon procedure, be sure to speak with your health care provider immediately to ensure that the signs are not pointing to a more serious health issue.
Other methods for enhancing colon health
If you are interested in alternative methods of enhancing your colon health, be sure to first evaluate your daily diet.
You can increase your risk of colon cancer and colon disease through the ingestion of fiber. It has been proven that most people do not get enough daily fiber within their diets. So, adding a fiber supplement may prove to be beneficial to your overall colon health.
In addition to adding fiber to your diet, make sure that you drink plenty of fluids daily. It has also been proven that most people are regularly dehydrated. And since the colon requires hydration to function properly, it is crucial that you drink the recommended daily allowance of water regularly.
Some other lifestyle changes that can enhance your colon's health include reducing your overall alcohol intake, reducing or avoiding red meats and limiting or avoiding tobacco.
Each of these habits add strain onto your colon. So by making these lifestyle changes, you are effectively working to improve your colon's health.
And, last but not least, be sure to get regular colon screeings as recommended by your doctor.
Most physicians recommend regular colon screenings after the age of 50 to prevent colon cancer.
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