Colon Cleansing & IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition that causes stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloating and constipation. According to the Mayo Clinic, your intestinal wall has muscles that move in rhythm as food passes through. With IBS the rhythm becomes irregular, which causes bloating and diarrhea when food passes through. Colon cleansing is a contemporary cleansing method that claims to remove toxins and waste from your intestines by flushing them out. You can do this by taking colon-therapy supplements, doing a colonic treatment or fasting.

Colonic

• Colonic irrigation is a flushing of your colon to remove toxins and waste. According to Puristat, the benefits of colon irrigation include easier bowel movements and the flushing out of excess mucus and other impurities. This procedure is performed by inserting a tube, which is attached to a machine, into your rectum. The machine sends warm water to your colon, causing your intestinal muscles to contract. The contraction forces waste out of the body through another tube, and the waste is then disposed of in a container. Norman W. Walker, author of "Colon Health," says you may experience slight discomfort during the flushing process, but it quickly subsides once the treatment is over. You will need to consume healthy bacteria after the session by eating yogurt. Low-fat and nonfat yogurt contains live and active cultures, which supplies your body with good bacteria called probiotics.

Supplements

• Certain medications such as laxatives, enemas and herbal teas can also clean your colon, but they should not be used for long periods of time, as they can irritate the intestinal tract, leading to inflammation and a loss of healthy bacteria. Laxatives usually work shortly after consumption and should be used only if you are suffering from constipation. If you suffer from IBS, you are more likely to experience heightened discomfort due to the effect of a laxative or herbal tea on your stomach. Jeffrey Lackner, author of "Controlling IBS the Drug-Free Way," says you should use these options only as needed.

Natural Cleansing

• If you eat a healthy diet, your colon naturally cleanses itself. A diet high in fiber can clear out toxins and waste as well as reduce your saturated-fat and sodium intake. Fasting is an alternative method of colon cleansing that effectively removes pesticides, drug residue and other toxins from your body. To fast properly, reduce your food intake a few days before completely eliminating food. Similar to the popular Master Cleanse diet, you will need to ease into the diet by first eating only fruits and vegetables for the first day, followed by juicing the fruits and vegetables and drinking them in place of a meal. The day of fasting requires drinking salt water, which cleans out your colon. During this time you will experience frequent bowel movements. This cleansing treatment should be used sparingly, as it can upset your intestinal tract and exacerbate your IBS symptoms. Always consult your physician before attempting colon cleansing.