A colon cleanse is the process of flushing out the large intestine. This can be done in one of two ways, one involves introducing large volumes of fluid into the colon, and the other involves taking powdered or liquid supplements such as laxatives, magnesium, or herbal tea by mouth. Both methods will stimulate emptying the colon of its contents.
History shows that colon cleanses date back thousands of years to ancient Greece. The theory of performing colon cleansing is to help remove toxins from the body which may be accumulating in the colon and can’t be expelled on their own.
Some of the conditions people believe are helped by doing a colon cleanse are fatigue, weight gain, low energy, and headaches.
Some of the potential risks of doing a colon cleanse include:
- Dehydration
- Mineral imbalance
- Bowel perforation
- Infection
- Kidney failure
- Nausea
- Cramps
- Bacterial imbalance
Some people should be extra cautious about having a colon cleanses, or might want to avoid them completely. These include people with the following conditions:
- Diverticulitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Rectal tumors
- Heart disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Tumors in the colon
Colon cleanses should only be done by a professional and only after consulting with a physician first. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center please call 718-670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.