Colonic Irrigation
Colonic irrigation encompasses a number of alternative medical therapies intended to remove faecal waste and unidentified toxins from the colon and intestinal tract. Colonic irrigation may take the form of colon hydrotherapy (also called colonics, colon cleaning or colonic lavage) or oral cleansing regimens.
Colonic irrigation uses enemas to inject water, sometimes mixed with herbs or with other liquids, into the colon using special equipment. Oral cleaning uses dietary fibre, herbs, dietary supplements, or laxatives. Practitioners of colonic irrigation believe that accumulations of putrefied faeces line the walls of the large intestine and that these accumulations harbour parasites or pathogenic gut flora, causing a variety of symptoms and general ill health.
History of Colonic Irrigation
The efficacy of colonic irrigation is based on the concept of "auto-intoxication", the idea that food enters the intestine and rots. The ancient Egyptians believed that toxins formed as a result of decomposition within the intestines, and moved from there into the circulatory system causing fever and the development of pus. The Ancient Greeks adopted and expanded the idea of colonic irrigation, applying their belief in the four humours. In the 19th century, studies in biochemistry and microbiology seemed to support the auto-intoxication hypothesis, and mainstream physicians promoted the idea. The idea behind colonic irrigation was promoted most strongly by Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov, who thought that these toxins could shorten the lifespan. Over time, the concept broadened to "auto-intoxication" which supposes that the body cannot fully dispose of its waste products and toxins, which then accumulate in the intestine. In some cases, the concept led to radical surgeries to remove the colon for unrelated symptoms.
Auto-intoxication enjoyed some favour in the medical community from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century, but was discarded as advances in science failed to support its claims. A 1919 paper Origin of the so-called auto-intoxication symptom in the Journal of the American Medical Association marked the beginning of the rejection of the auto-intoxication hypothesis by the medical community.
Despite this, "auto-intoxication" persists in the public imagination. The practice of colonic irrigation has undergone resurgence in the alternative medical community, supported by testimonials, anecdotal evidence and celebrity endorsement.
What is involved in a Colonic Irrigation session?
No special preparation is necessary before your colonic irrigation appointment, although large meals and lots of fluids are not advised. The first appointment includes taking your case history, explaining the procedure and the treatment itself.
Before commencing the colonic irrigation, a brief rectal exam must be carried out, then a speculum is introduced 1.5inches (4cm) to open the sphincter. An inlet and outlet tube is attached to the outside of the speculum, so the system is open, with water going in and water and waste out (the waste is piped away).
About 60 litres of filtered water are used per colonic irrigation, but only small amounts are allowed to enter the bowel at any one time, acting to dilate the lower bowel, stimulating the bowel to empty itself. In all, about 15 litres enters the bowel during colonic irrigation, and the vast majority also comes out again. The water pressure is carefully controlled and is in fact lower than is normally generated during a bowel movement.
At first, water is fed into the lower bowel whilst you are on your left side, then after about 10 minutes the practitioner of colonic irrigation will ask you to turn onto your back, and using gentle massage techniques across the bowel profile, will work around the whole bowel assisting the elimination of waste and gas pockets.
Some herbal infusions may be used during colonic irrigation, and a probiotic (friendly bacteria) implant may be given afterwards if indicated. In all, a colonic irrigation appointment normally takes about 30-45 minutes.
Complications and risks in Colonic Irrigation
Colonic irrigation is considered by many as being not necessary as the body naturally removes waste material. Colonic irrigation may disrupt the balance between bacteria and natural chemicals in the bowel, and may interfere with the colon's ability to shed dead cells. Other rare but serious complications include gastrointestinal perforation from improper insertion, and amoebic infection from poorly sterilised equipment. Some colonic irrigation regimes disrupt fluid and electrolyte balance which may lead to dehydration and salt depletion, whilst repeated or excessive cleansing programs can lead to anemia and malnutrition. Excessive use of enemas has also been associated with cardiac problems such as heart failure, and heart attacks related to electrolyte imbalances when used with coffee. The frequent use of enemas or other colonic irrigation tools may lead to dependence and an inability to defecate without assistance or withdrawal symptoms. Herbs that are consumed for colonic irrigation and taken as oral preparations may also interfere with drug absorption and effectiveness.
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