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Colon cleansing is normally used as preparation for medical procedures such as a colonoscopy. However, some alternative medicine practitioners offer colon cleansing for other purposes, such as detoxification.

During a colon cleanse, often called a colonic or colon irrigation, large amounts of water — sometimes up to 16 gallons (about 60 liters) — and possibly other substances, such as herbs or coffee, are flushed through the colon. This is done using a tube that's inserted into the rectum. In some cases, smaller amounts of water are used and are left to sit in the colon for a short time before being removed.

Proponents of colon cleansing believe that toxins from our gastrointestinal tract can cause a variety of health problems, such as arthritis and high blood pressure. They believe that colon cleansing improves health by removing toxins, boosting our energy and enhancing our immune system.

Generally speaking, our digestive and elimination systems do a very good job of ridding our bodies of toxins and waste. The conditions that can benefit from colonic therapy are the times when bloating and indigestion, caused by constipation, have become a problem.

Constipation can occur following prolonged use of pain medications, such as narcotics. Specifically, medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone can cause the intestines to slow, or stop, the movement of fecal matter. When constipation becomes a problem due to pain medications, colonics can be very useful in clearing the blockage and cleaning out our digestive tracts.

Other instances when colonics are helpful involve people that do not move for multiple days. Our digestive tracts can slow down to the point compaction of fecal matter inhibits the normal elimination of waste products. This can occur during recovery from surgery, following severe injury, or due to sickness. These conditions may be caused by a person eating very little food, perhaps due to intense dieting or lack of desire for food as seen in some older people.

Precautions should be taken, and healthcare professionals consulted when:

• Patient suffers with diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or ischemic colitis.
• Patient has had prior colon surgery.
• Patient suffers with kidney disease.
• Patient has experienced or suffers with heart disease.

Under certain conditions, as noted above, colonics can be highly beneficial and very useful in returning us to normal bowel function. Healthy, active people will likely be fine leaving the task of elimination to our normal bowel movements. Be Blessed.