There is no scientific evidence that can strongly support any of these health benefits. There is some research that suggests colon cleanses can have positive effects on IBS symptoms and and that they could be used in preparation for colonoscopies.

The studies, however, had a low number of participants, making it difficult to reach reliable conclusions. More studies need to be done to prove the potential health benefits of colon cleanses. Colon cleansing procedures can have side effects ranging from mild to serious. Some of the more common mild risks of colon cleanses include:.

Depending on the type of liquid used, it's also possible to experience burns and inflammation. Colon cleanses that use hot water or coffee that is not room temperature brings the risk of burning.

These burns cause inflammation to the walls of the rectum. In some cases, the burns cause the rectum to narrow so much that surgery is required for treatment.

Using equipment that controls the liquid's temperature might reduce this risk. A colon cleanse might also cause electrolyte depletion. This is because absorbing large amounts of water through the rectum can lead to low blood sodium or potassium.

The inappropriate use of oral laxatives can also cause electrolyte imbalances. Dehydration is also a risk. You may also develop an infection from a colon cleanse. This is usually caused by bacteria from the gut inadvertently invading the blood or other nearby tissues through the large amounts of water used.

One of the most serious risks is the tearing or the perforation the making of a hole of the bowel walls. Another serious side effect can be renal failure.

Some herbal colon cleanses have been linked to aplastic anemia when your bone marrow can't make enough new blood cells and liver toxicity.

People with a history of gastrointestinal disease, colon surgery, hemorrhoids , kidney disease, and heart disease are more susceptible to the more serious side effects of colon cleansing.

Editor's Note: The FDA and Federal Trade Commission have tried to punish companies that sell medical devices for claiming that the devices can also work for colon cleansing. A colon cleanse is a procedure in which your colon is flushed out and cleared of its contents.

Many people believe colon cleansing has impactful health benefits like improving your immune system, reducing blood pressure, improving digestive health, among many others. However, these benefits are anecdotal. Currently, there is no strong scientific evidence that can support these claims.

While colon cleanses have some purported benefits, they also carry some risks. Potential risks and side effects of a colon cleanse include infection, burns, dehydration, electrolyte depletion, and perforations. Some individuals may be at higher risk of experiencing these side effects. If you or a loved one are interested in getting a colon cleanse, talk to your healthcare provider about your options and to determine if a colon cleanse is right for you.

National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. Adverse effects after medical, commercial, or self-administered colon cleansing procedures. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Laxative overdose. Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution PEG-ES.

Food and Drug Administration. Prepopik citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate powder for oral solution. Sodium phosphate rectal. CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title Mishori R, Otubu A, Jones AA. The dangers of colon cleansing. J Fam Pract. Bazzocchi G, Giuberti R. Irrigation, lavage, colonic hydrotherapy: from beauty center to clinic?

Tech Coloproctol. doi: Hsu HH, Leung WH, Hu GC. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with a novel colonic irrigation system: a pilot study. Teich N, Klecker C, Klugmann T, et al.

Bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy with a new colonic irrigation device: Results of a prospective observational study. Endosc Int Open. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

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In the early s, a theory that bacteria in the colon cause toxins to leak into the rest of the body gained popularity. This theory, called autointoxication , was soon debunked. However, it remains a basis for the belief that colonic irrigation can help detoxify the body.

In fact, the body has organs to serve this specific purpose — the liver and kidneys. Adequate cleaning is important to ensure that diagnostic and surgical procedures involving the large intestine are reliable.

The accuracy and safety of such procedures — such as colonoscopy — often depend on thorough cleansing of the colon. Hydrotherapy can serve this purpose.

However, there are other, safer ways to cleanse the colon, including dietary changes and the ingestion of prescribed solutions. Anyone undergoing a procedure or surgery should receive detailed instructions about how to prepare from their doctor.

Colonic irrigation involves inserting the nozzle of a device into the rectum to send water into the colon. A person can control the pressure and temperature of the water, and the entire procedure usually takes around 45 minutes.

Approximately 16 gallons of water pass through the bowel, and the fluid may contain herbal infusions or coffee.

These supposedly offer additional benefits, though there is little, if any, evidence of this. According to ARCH , modern colonic hydrotherapy flushes out the whole large intestine, unlike an enema.

A person may find deals on some group-buying websites. No research has found any benefits of hydrotherapy of the colon. Meanwhile, people who have undergone it have reported numerous negative effects. Mild unwanted effects may include :. The procedure causes the body to lose water, which can be dangerous , as it may cause dehydration.

One risk is infection, either due to unsterile equipment or equipment that allows fecal matter to flow backward into the colon. Infection can also stem from the removal of healthful bacteria. Scientists have yet to fully explore the ways in which colonic irrigation may cause an imbalance in the microbiome.

Forcing water into the colon can injure it — the pressure can damage the wall of the colon, causing it to tear. This issue, called a perforated bowel , is a medical emergency. Symptoms may begin with fever , pain, chills , and nausea.

The body may then develop sepsis , an extreme response to an infection that can be fatal. There are many claims about the possible benefits of colonic irrigation, but these are not supported by scientific evidence.

Due to the risks, some of which are very severe, and the lack of benefits, most medical professionals do not recommend hydrotherapy of the colon. A colon cleanse is an alternative remedy that some people claim removes waste and toxins from the colon.

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