Colon cleansing is actually a medical procedure performed in preparation for a colonoscopy or other procedures. In this procedure, the colon is cleansed of food debris and feces.

However, recently some alternative medicine practitioners have been offering colon cleansing to detoxify, eliminate toxins, and improve gut health. Is colon cleansing safe?

What is the Colon Cleansing Procedure?

Before undergoing a colonoscopy, your doctor will usually instruct you on the colon cleansing procedure. The main purpose of colon cleansing is to ensure that the doctor gets a clear visualization during the colonoscopy and accurately detects any changes or abnormalities in the colon.

Usually, a few days before the colonoscopy, you will be asked to follow a special diet that is low in fiber and no red-colored foods, such as berries or foods with red dye. This diet helps to ensure a clean bowel and helps the doctor see more clearly during the examination.

The colon cleansing procedure before colonoscopy also involves the use of a special bowel cleansing medication or solution that the patient must take. This medication will cause the stools to become loose and help empty the colon thoroughly.

After taking the cleansing solution, you will experience diarrhea, so you need to make sure you have time and access to a toilet.

Benefits of Colon Cleansing According to Alternative Medicine

As mentioned earlier, doctors use colon cleansing as a preparation for colonoscopy. However, some alternative medicine practitioners utilize it for the following:

• Removing toxins from the body
• Boosting the immune system
• Helping with weight loss
• Improving digestion
• Improving mood
• Reduces the risk of colon cancer

It is important to note that these benefits are not yet supported by strong scientific evidence, so there are potential health risks.

Risks of Colon Cleansing

Although the colon cleansing procedure offered by alternative medicine is labeled as natural, it does not mean that its safety is guaranteed. Here are the risks and side effects of colon cleansing that may occur, including:

• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cramping
• Dizziness as a sign of dehydration
• Unbalanced body minerals
• Unbalanced body electrolytes
• Unbalanced bacteria in the body and risk of infection
• Potential disruption of drug absorption
• Intestinal perforation
• Infection
• Depletion of normal intestinal flora
• Risk of allergic reaction if additional fluid is used to irrigate the bowel during bowel cleansing
• Kidney failure

Actually, you don't need to do colon cleansing to maintain intestinal health. In your daily life, you can pay attention to eating enough nutrients and foods rich in fiber. Avoid foods and drinks that contain alcohol. Avoid tobacco consumption and get regular health screenings, especially when you reach the age of 45.

Check with your doctor if you experience frequent diarrhea or constipation, bloody bowel movements, persistent abdominal pain, fatigue and weakness, and unintentional weight loss. 

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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