A colon cleansing procedure is used by alternative medicine practitioners to reportedly eliminate waste products and toxins from the lower intestines or colon. Some practitioners claim that it can also be used to treat illnesses or diseases such as cancer. Physicians will order a total cleanse of the lower intestines prior to a colonoscopy or abdominal surgery where the colon must be clear in order to have proper visualization or reduce the chance of infection.
Fluid Overload and Dehydration
One of the functions of the lower intestines is to remove excess fluid from the stool in order to create a formed bowel movement. This means that the lower intestines are capable of absorbing fluid. According to the Mayo Clinic, one significant concern with colon cleansing is that it can increase the risk of dehydration, especially when laxatives are used in the cleansing process. These can cause a rise in your electrolytes and be dangerous if you suffer from kidney disease or heart disease. According to the American Cancer Society, people who suffer from heart failure may be more likely to experience fluid overload when fluid and other substances are absorbed into the body through the colon walls.
Infection and Injury
Colon cleansing can be done at home or in the physician's office. In either case, the procedure requires the use of instrumentation. Illnesses and even deaths have resulted from using contaminated equipment, according to the American Cancer Society. Individuals who suffer from diverticulosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, rectal or colon tumors or who are recovering from bowel surgery may be at higher risk for injury during the procedure. Injury can be as minor as bruising to the intestinal wall or as significant as perforation of the intestinal wall.
Dependence
In some cases, you may be considering colon cleansing on a consistent basis in order to relieve yourself of constipation. The Mayo Clinic advises that using other means of softening stools, such as drinking water, eating a fiber rich diet and getting regular exercise, is healthier than chronically administering fluid in your lower intestines. According to the American Council on Science and Health, by taking a form of laxative on a daily basis you can cause your body to lose nutrients and fluid and fall out of the natural rhythm of elimination. This can lead to dependence on the colon cleanse in order to eliminate stool.
Cramping and Diarrhea
Frequent colon cleansing can disrupt the ability of the lower intestines to shed dead cells and can disrupt the balance between good bacteria and natural chemicals in the bowel, according to Colon Cleanse Insights. A disruption in the normal flora in the lower intestines can result in diarrhea leading to dehydration until the flora can be reestablished. According to the American Cancer Society, colon therapy can also cause discomfort and cramps.
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