Colon Hydrotherapy or Colon therapy is the process of cleansing and flushing out the colon, or large intestine. Also called colonic irrigation, the treatment is similar to an enema but more extensive. Whereas an enema cleans only the lower portion of the colon, colonic irrigation which must be done by a trained practitioner attempts to clean the entire Colon.

Those who espouse colon therapy say that the health of the colon can affect the health of the entire body. This theory holds little credence with the majority of conventional physicians, however. They believe there is no reason whatsoever to irrigate the colon, except in some cases of constipation and before certain surgical procedures, such as a colonoscopy. They also contend that the best way to care for the colon is to let its own natural physiological actions keep it in good working order.

History :

Colon therapy became very popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s, when irrigation machines were commonly found in hospitals and physicians? offices. Although the procedure became less popular when advances in science and medicine did not support its founding theory, colon therapy has recently shown an increase in popularity.

In 1985, the California Department of Health Services issued a statement which listed some of the potential hazards of colon therapy, including infection and death from contaminated equipment, death from electrolyte depletion, and perforation (puncture) of the intestinal wall leading to life-threatening infection or death. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers colonic irrigation machines to be Class III devices that cannot be legally marketed except for medically needed colon cleansing (such as before an x-ray or endoscope exam). The FDA forbids practitioners and sellers from making unsubstantiated claims, that is, claims that have not been proven in scientific studies. The FDA has warned several companies to stop making such claims. No colonic irrigation machine or system has been approved for routine use.

Working :

As part of the digestive tract, the colon aids in digestion and the elimination of waste products. When the colon is packed with accumulated, hardened feces due to a poor diet, constipation, or some other gastrointestinal problem, waste can build up. According to proponents of colon therapy, this buildup can result in stagnation and decay of the fecal material in the colon. This decay, in turn, produces a whole host of bacteria and other "toxins" that can be absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in myriad illnesses--from a simple cold to life-threatening coronary artery disease. Colon therapists suggest that the typical American diet, which is low in fiber and high in red meat and other fatty foods, is a major contributor to this problem.

Contemporary mainstream physicians typically take a different view, pointing out that food and waste products cannot "toxify" the body by remaining in the colon. In addition, they disapprove of colon therapy because they say it can interfere with the natural balance of helpful bacteria that keep the intestines functioning normally. Most conventional doctors do agree, however, that avoiding red meat and other fatty foods, and eating a healthy, high-fiber diet, is the best way to keep the colon healthy.

Precautions :

* Colon therapy is not recommended if you have blood in your stool, severe hemorrhoids, Crohn's  disease, congestive heart failure, severe anemia, abdominal hernia, heart disease, high blood  pressure, amoebic dysentery, gastrointestinal cancer, tumors of the large intestine or rectum, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or recent colon surgery less than three months.

* If you are in the first or third trimester of pregnancy, colon therapy is not recommended     because it may induce labor.

* Make sure the clinic you choose is clean and that the therapist is reputable and well-trained.    Infection can occur if equipment is not properly sterilized or disposable.

* Colon therapy is not known to react with any drugs or medications.

* Among the possible but remote complications of colon therapy are perforation of the intestinal wall, disturbance in the body's fluid balance, and heart failure caused by excess water in the  blood.

 

Health Benefits :

There are no scientific studies to support any therapeutic claims for colon therapy. On an individual basis, people do report that colon treatments relieve the distention and bloating associated with constipation and help restore regular bowel movements. Anecdotal evidence suggests that colon therapy may be useful for a number of ailments including indigestion, gas, headaches, joint problems, allergies, asthma, skin problems, and even toxicity from drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

As far as general colon health is concerned, some recent reports in the conventional medical literature seem to echo what John Harvey Kellogg preached a century ago--that a high-fat, meat-heavy diet isn't good for the colon. These reports suggest that people who eat a lot of red meat have a higher incidence of colon cancer than the rest of the population. More research in this area still needs to be done, however.