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Colon Cleanse for Kidney Damage

Colon cleanses are favored by many people, but according to Dr. Michael Picco, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, "colon cleanses that contain laxatives such as sodium phosphate can cause elevated electrolytes in a person suffering from kidney damage." If you suffer from kidney damage, and feel you would benefit from a colon cleanse, talk to your doctor and discuss alternatives available to cleanse your body of toxins.

  1. Digestive Symptoms

    • You may feel that you would benefit from a colon cleanse if you have symptoms of gas, bloating, fatigue, constipation or diarrhea, or suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive problems.

    Dangerous Fluid Levels

    • Colon cleansing usually requires you to drink many glasses of water or juice per day, which causes problems if you have kidney damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you have chronic kidney damage, your kidney loses its ability to filter properly, and unsafe levels of waste and fluid can occur in your body rapidly. Once excess water accumulates, swelling begins with your ankles, then spreads to the upper part of the body. If the swelling is not treated, excess water will settle in your lungs, and you may develop pulmonary edema, which can be life-threatening. Moreover, fluid "overload" can result in high blood pressure and contribute to heart disease.

    Herbs/Fiber Supplements

    • Herbs and fiber supplements are often used in colon cleanses. According to the National Kidney Foundation, the use of many herbal supplements can be dangerous in cases of chronic kidney damage---again, because the kidneys are unable to filter and flush out waste products from the body. And because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate herbs, it's often unclear exactly what many herbal supplements contain. In a worst-case scenario, they may become contaminated, and could contain toxic metals such as lead or mercury.

      Cascara sagrada---which acts as a mild laxative, is used in some herbal colon cleanses, yet can cause bloody diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance and dehydration due to lost body fluids in a patient with kidney damage. Psyllium is a fiber supplement that is often part of colon cleanses, relieving symptoms of constipation. If you don't drink enough water when you take psyllium, this fiber supplement can swell inside your body and, in extreme cases, may cause choking. Patients who suffer from kidney damage should use psyllium only under a doctor's direction.

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