Colon Cleansing Safety

People undergo colon cleansing to lose weight, eliminate toxins and parasites from their colon or to treat certain diseases. People can use oral colon cleansers or do colonic irrigation, which entails flushing the colon with ozonated water. Safety is of the utmost importance when one does a colon cleanse.

Significance

• Though colon cleansing is an increasingly popular alternative medicine practice, the process still can be unsafe as it interferes with normal bodily functions. For example, colon cleansing can temporarily erode natural bacteria in the colon, as well as diminish mucous membrane protection, both of which are used to fight intestinal diseases.

Types of Safety Measures

• People who do oral colon cleanses must follow the instructions to ensure a safe treatment. It is also important to check with a doctor because herbal ingredients may interfere with certain medications.

Other Safety Measures

• People who undergo colonic irrigation must be careful when inserting the speculum, or tube, that goes into the rectum. An improper insertion can perforate the wall of the descending colon.

Effects of Proper Sanitiation

• One must ensure proper sanitation measures, such as cleaning the table with an antibacterial soap, before using colonic irrigation equipment. Proper cleaning and hand washing after a session can help prevent the spread of disease.

Warning

• Avoid colonic irrigation if you have diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or heart disease.