Colon cleansing is detoxification process that has grown out of a medicinal utility for clearing out the colon for various procedures. While done in similar ways, colonic irrigation tends to have a similar process regardless of its intentions, although some individuals may use enemas to clear out the colon while others rely on special medicinal drinks. This irrigation can be done for children, but some experts argue there's not much reason to support such a procedure.
Medical Use
Colonic irrigation is needed for some procedures involving the digestive tract, such as colonoscopies, and it may also be required to vacate the bowels prior to a surgical procedure. Many doctors will have patients drink a special liquid mixture designed to clear the bowels of fecal matter and bacteria. However, this procedure is not recommended by doctors as a means of detoxification for adults or children.
Other Uses
Irrigation for detoxification can come in many different forms. Enemas, pills, laxatives and liquid diets are all designed to purge built-up stool and other materials out of the large intestine. The claimed benefits to these, according to Mayo Clinic, is that the removal of toxins helps promote the presence of healthy bacteria in the intestine, also increasing your energy and bolstering the immune system. However, there is not medical evidence to either confirm nor deny the benefits of this approach, although most doctors believe there is no upside to the treatments and that they may cause harm in some situations, especially in children.
Procedure
Laxatives, enemas, pills and liquid diets are taken in a number of different ways, and in most situations it is recommended you follow the directions provided by the treatment packaging or the company recommending the treatment. Using a medical drink to flush out the colon typically requires at least 24 hours of fluids-only consumption, and the drink may be taken at least three times over the period of cleansing. It may be difficult to get a child to follow this regimen.
Benefits to Children
While colon cleansing -- at least for medical purposes -- is relatively safe and sometimes necessary for children, there are no benefits supported by research that support colonic irrigation in children. Natural methods of maintaining a healthy colon, such as eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids, will provide your child with satisfactory upkeep of the colon so that cleansing for detoxification is unnecessary.
Considerations
Several steps need to be taken to protect your child's body from damage during a colonic irrigation. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should confirm with a doctor that colon cleansing is safe to do given your child's medications and health problems. You should also make sure that the equipment used for colon cleansing has been unused -- this prevents the transfer of disease -- and also determine what herbs are used in a colon cleanse. You should also make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids during a cleanse to avoid dehydration.
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