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Safety of Colonics

Colonics or colonic irrigation (hydrotherapy) is the process of flushing the colon with purified water to remove harmful toxins and parasites. Safety concerns surrounding this practice usually center around the side effects, overuse and sometimes sanitation.

  1. Theories and speculation

    • Most alternative medicine practitioners believe certain side effects of colonics, such as flu-like symptoms and nausea, occur as a result of the detoxification process.

    Types of safety concerns

    • According to experts at Mayoclinic.com, doctors believe colonics could cause dehydration in certain people. There is also the concern that the practice is unnatural and may place too much stress on the digestive tract.

    Other safety concerns

    • There is some concern that rectal insertion of tubes or speculums can cause perforation in the lower colon. Sanitation can be an issue because the tables and colonic units are used by multiple people throughout the day.

    Considerations

    • One ostensible concern with colonics is that their use is not approved by the FDA. However, they are a legal method advocated by many alternative medical practitioners.

    Warning

    • According to WebMD.com, people with conditions such as diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and heart problems should avoid colonics.

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