The human digestive system is highly stressed by the diversity of food and everyday stress. Irritations in the intestinal tract usually make themselves felt with corresponding symptoms. How is a colon cleanse performed and what dangers can occur?
What is the intestinal cleansing?
In the most common cases, a bowel cleansing is ordered in preparation for an examination or surgery. However, this method is also widely used in wellness or before fasting cures. Intestinal cleansing is the artificially induced bowel emptying of the entire intestine. The intestine is the largest immune organ in the human body. 70% of the body’s defense cells are located on the intestinal mucosa. Its task is the defense against pathogens and the vital task of absorbing nutrients that we consume through food. Water balance is affected and metabolic products are excreted through the intestines. The intestine also provides a habitat for over 450 different species of bacteria, which produce important vitamins and protect the body from harmful substances and other pathogens. If this balance is disturbed, diseases result. Factors such as stress and an unhealthy diet promote this imbalance. To cleanse the body from the inside, a colon cleanse is induced.
Function, effect and goals
In the most common cases, an intestinal cleansing is ordered in preparation for an examination or surgery. But this method is also widely used in the wellness sector or before fasting cures. When suffering from chronic constipation, a thorough bowel cleansing can be beneficial. Depending on the procedure that follows a bowel cleansing, there are different methods to clean the bowel. For example, if the patient is about to undergo a colonoscopy (colonoscopy) after the bowel cleansing, or if the cleansing serves as preparation for surgery, an orthograde colonic irrigation is performed. Prior to the colon examination, the diet should be as fiber-free as possible for one week beforehand. One day before the examination, the patient drinks three to five liters of a PEG (polyethylene glycol) solution within a few hours. The flush is continued until a clear golden-yellow liquid is excreted. Only clear liquids, such as water or soup, should be consumed during the drinking preparation to prevent the patient from becoming dehydrated. It has proven useful to drink another liter of a PEG solution on the day of the examination. The remaining substances still in the intestine are excreted. Emptying the bowel can also be done with enemas or with high doses of laxatives. In an enema, fluid is passed into the intestine through the anus (anus). Another application of intestinal cleansing is during fasting cures. Glauber’s salt (sodium sulfate) and enemas played a major role in this. Before starting a fasting cure and then at regular intervals of about two days, Glauber’s salt is taken or an enema is applied. The intestines are purged and this is said to have a health-promoting effect. In order to rebuild the intestinal flora, a basis is created by the intestinal cleansing. One method of gentle intestinal cleansing is the use of psyllium. In combination with bentonite (mineral clay of volcanic origin), psyllium husk can bind the negative metabolic end products and remove the mucus that accumulates on the colon walls. Psyllium husk dissolved in water becomes a spongy mush that stimulates peristalsis (intestinal movement) after consumption. This speeds up the emptying of the intestines. A traditional way of cleansing the intestines is the use of special herbal mixtures that empty and cleanse the intestines. With the help of intestinal cleansing, the intestinal flora is built up and by eliminating harmful ingredients in the food, the body can no longer poison itself. The intestinal bacteria can thus concentrate on their usual tasks, the formation of digestive enzymes and vitamins.
Risks, side effects and dangers
However, frequent colon cleanses also bring risks that should not be underestimated. Frequent enemas and colonics promote electrolyte shifts in the intestines. This means that the salts dissolved in the blood, the electrolytes, can only partially or not at all take over the vital functions in the organism. The high loss of fluids during excretion brings about this condition.Electrolyte disturbances manifest themselves in the form of muscle cramps, cardiac arrhythmias and clouding of consciousness. The risk of electrolyte imbalance is high, especially in elderly patients with poor circulation. In the worst case, it can lead to heart or kidney failure. Taking laxatives, and possibly for a long period of time, displaces the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. However, these bacterial strains are necessary for better intestinal motility. They also regulate the acid flora in the intestine. Improper use may result in injury to the intestinal wall. The formation of ulcers is higher and the occurrence of infectious disease. If the instruments needed for an examination are not adequately sterilized, this can lead to infection. Side effects such as abdominal cramps, vomiting or bleeding in the bowel may occur. An intestinal cleansing should always be performed only in consultation with a physician. He or she will explain the possible risks and side effects and, if necessary, offer alternatives if the colon cleansing is not medically necessary. Many general practitioners offer the procedure of a colonic irrigation. However, the person himself can do a lot of good for the intestines with a balanced diet. Plenty of exercise and adequate fluid intake stimulate digestion. Sufficient sleep should also be ensured, as the body filters harmful substances during the resting phase. If these things are observed, it is not necessary to induce an artificial intestinal cleansing.
