Colonic Irrigation

Colon hydrotherapy, colon therapy, colonic, colonic hydrotherapy, colonic therapy

Advocates of colonic irrigation believe that over time, pathogenic fungi, bacteria, mucus, and other debris accumulate in the colon leading to skin problems, constipation, and a lack of energy. Colonic therapy is a procedure designed to help improve the elimination of this toxic build-up by removing fecal matter from the colon walls and diluting the concentration of bacteria in the large intestine. This reduces proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and maintains proper levels of beneficial microflora. Once the colon is free of debris, the patient should notice changes in energy level, skin tone, weight, and stress level. In addition, a patient may no longer suffer from constipation or experience painful abdominal cramping or bloating. Enhanced absorption of vitamins and minerals is also noticed following a detoxification program using colonic therapy. The concept of colonic irrigation is based on the premise that intestinal waste products are a major contributor to disease and can poison the body if not removed.

Reported uses

One of the main uses for colonic irrigation is the treatment of chronic constipation. Inflammatory conditions of the colon can also be addressed using colonic therapy. Patients suffering from bloating, stomachache, or abdominal pain may also find relief using colonic therapy. Other conditions for which colonic therapy is used include acne, psoriasis, and eczema.

Patients with arthritis also seem to benefit from using colonic therapy. Some are thought to have increased bowel permeability, leading to a toxic condition in the GI tract in which toxins are continually reabsorbed into the blood. Once in the blood, these toxins attack the joints, leading to inflammation and stress.

Another major use for colonic therapy is in cancer patients. These patients tend to have deficient levels of various minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. They may also suffer from constipation due to use of potent narcotic analgesics.

Therefore, removing intestinal debris by colonic irrigation may lead to increased absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients. Additionally, it may relieve constipation, allowing for enhanced elimination of toxins released from tumor cells.

Research All studies but the 1997 study by Briel, et al., report on the potential adverse effects of colonic irrigation. In contrast, Briel and colleagues found significant results using colonic irrigation in patients with fecal soiling and fecal incontinence.

How the treatment is performed

The day before the colonic irrigation is to take place, the patient is instructed to eat two salads. In the dinner salad, the patient adds 1 tablespoon of cooked Corn in order to determine bowel transit time. The patient is also advised to avoid rice pasta, and bread the day before and the' day of the colonic irrigation and not to eat any food for at least 2 hours before the session.

With the patient lying on his side, a small plastic hose is gently inserted into the patient's rectum. This hose is connected to the colonic irrigation machine, which has controls for water temperature and volume. Water that has been filtered to remove bacteria, heavy metals, and chlorine begins to flow into the patient's rectum and throughout the colon. The volume of water, varied according to the patient's tolerance, induces peristaltic contractions of the colon, which expel the fecal matter into another hose leading back to the irrigation machine. This clear tube allows inspection of colon contents. The patient may experience a feeling of warmth during the session due to the presence of toxins in the fecal matter.

During the irrigation, the therapist gently massages different areas of the abdomen to help dislodge and loosen areas of impaction. A session usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Most patients require a series of colonic irrigations to dislodge all of the fecal matter.

Hazards

If the therapist uses too much water, the treatment may be uncomfortable or painful. If the therapist uses too little water, the patient's bowel is forced to work harder to achieve peristalsis.

overdistention of the colon during the procedure or an improperly inserted hose can cause perforation of the intestinal wall. A 1999 case report cite an incidence of perineal gangrene following a perforation of the bowel during colonictherapy.

An outbreak of amebiasis occurred in the early 1980s in a Colorado chiropractic clinic, most likely due to imcomplete cleaning of the irrigation machine between patients.

A cancer patient wishing to have a colonic irrigation performed should use caution. Administering a colonic irrigation to a patient who is weak may weaken him further. Close monitoring by an experienced health care provider is necessary.

Clinical considerations

Training No certification is required to perform colon irrigation. Selecting an experienced physician or practitioner of alternative medicine to properly monitor the colonic therapy is important.

Patients with diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, severe hemorrhoids, tumors of the large intestine or rectum, excessive acidity in intestinal tract, and bowel perforation should not undergo colonic irrigation. No data exists regarding the safety of colonic irrigations in pediatric, maternal, and geriatric populations.

Reimbursement Colonic irrigation is considered a legal medical practice in the United States.

However, most third-party insurance payors do not reimburse patients for receiving colomc Irrigations.

Research Summary

The literature contains several reports of colonic irrigation. However, most don't focus on validating the therapy in patients with bowel-related complications or diseases. Rather, they emphasize adverse effects and complications that can occur. A 1997 study showed positive results in patients with fecal soiling and fecal incontinence, with the majority of patients in both groups claiming improvement in quality of life.