When is colon cleanse necessary

Colon cleansing: Is it helpful or harmful? But how? What is a colon cleanse? Colon cleanses, which date back thousands of years, are usually done by a colonic hygienist. During a colon cleanse, the hygienist inserts a tube into the rectum while you lie on a table.

What are the benefits? But is there any truth to these claims? What are the risks of a colon cleanse? There are several risks to be aware of before you try a colon cleanse. These risks include:. Dehydration Infection from contaminated instruments or facilities Electrolyte imbalance in the colon Tears in the bowel.

Read: Dodging a Colonoscopy? Still want to try a colon cleanse? Hoffman suggests talking to your doctor and making sure you know your unique risk. If you have a colonoscopy coming up, your healthcare provider will give you guidance on the right way to prep for it. Doing this helps properly empty your colon so your doctor can get a clearer view of your colon and rectum.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the United States. In its early stages, colon cancer often has no symptoms, which is why getting a colonoscopy is so important. The American Cancer Society recommends all men and women with an average risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screenings at age Wellness Articles.

Are colon cleanses a necessary tool for colon health or just a fad? One colorectal surgeon weighs in. What is a colon cleanse?

There are two main types of colon cleanses — in-office and at home. In fact, colon cleansing that is done to help remove toxins is an unnecessary and potentially dangerous practice, especially colon hydrotherapy. Wolf tells her patients there is little research on colon-cleansing methods, and that most physicians don't believe in these treatments or advise their use. Related: Study dumps colon cleansing as useless and dangerous.

One circumstance in which medical professionals recommend cleaning out the colon is before a colonoscopy, a procedure in which a tiny camera at the end of a lighted tube is inserted through the anus, through the rectum and into the large intestine to enable the doctor to look for pre-cancerous polyps, cancer or other diseases, according to the American College of Surgeons. The need for cleaning out the colon in this case is simple: "If you don't clean out the stool, you can't see anything.

You need to be able to see the [intestinal] wall, and to do that you need a clean colon," Wolf said. Three days before a colonoscopy, patients typically follow a low-fiber diet so that their stool will not be too hard.

The day before a colonoscopy, patients follow a liquids-only diet. The night before, patients drink a colonoscopy prep solution, which is a laxative that induces diarrhea in order to empty the bowel.

Different colonoscopy preps work in slightly different ways, but they all stimulate bowel movements, Wolf said. Diarrhea is not a problem in this case, but the goal. Without it, the colon won't be empty and the doctor may not be able to see what they need to.

Colonoscopy preps can have a few potential side effects. For example, they may change the body's levels of electrolytes, which are ions of chemicals such as potassium and sodium that conduct electricity when dissolved in water, Wolf said. On one hand, drinking lots of water before a colonoscopy has the potential to dilute electrolytes like sodium and magnesium. On the other hand, diarrhea could have the opposite effect and result in increased concentrations of those chemicals, Wolf said.

Shifting levels of sodium might cause lightheadedness, and low potassium levels may cause leg cramps or abnormal heart rhythms, she said. Additionally, any laxative that draws water into the colon brings the risk of dehydration, if the individual does not drink enough fluids, Wolf said. She recommends that people drink water with added electrolytes when preparing for a colonoscopy.

Other side effects of colonoscopy preps can include bloating, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain, according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. People go through the discomfort of colonoscopy prep and the procedure itself because it's a means to an end. Colonoscopies enable doctors to detect and remove precancerous polyps and to spot colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most likely to work, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.

The colon cleansing that happens before a colonoscopy does not have any other health-related purpose, Wolf said. Colon-cleansing enthusiasts believe that periodically cleaning from the inside out removes excess waste stuck to the colon walls.

This waste buildup also supposedly produces toxins that enter the blood and may slowly poison people. Wellness companies claim that colon cleansing can help relieve a variety of symptoms — such as fatigue, bloating, irritated skin and weight gain — and alleviate a range of health problems, from depression and allergies to arthritis and cancer.