Colon cleansing is a procedure that dates back to ancient Egypt. The purpose of a cleanse is to flush out built-up waste in the colon, helping your body perform better. Colon cleanses have multiple health benefits including removing toxins, treating constipation, and more. Keep reading to learn about types of colon cleanses, benefits, side effects, and more. If you want to do a colon cleanse, consult with your doctor and browse these colon cleanse facts.

How Colon Cleanses Work

Colon cleanses work by pushing water through the colon to loosen and remove leftover waste. Your colon is responsible for eliminating stool from your body and the unused nutrients that go along with it. There are many different kinds of colon cleanses and each one works to eradicate the leftover stool inside of the body.

Benefits

Some people find great benefits to doing a colon cleanse. For example, if you have a difficult time going to the bathroom, a cleanse may loosen the stool enough to regulate your system. When you aren’t able to go to the bathroom properly, you store bacteria in your body that is meant to be expelled.

Colonics

A colonic is done by a professional outside your home. During the procedure, water is forced into the rectum and through the colon. The water removes waste and cleans your colon. Colon cleanses are often necessary prior to surgery and colonoscopy procedures. You may want to see a professional to prepare for those procedures so that the colon is clean.

Enemas

Some people prefer to do colon cleanses in the comfort of their home. These at-home procedures often involve medicines or supplements you can insert into your rectum. Be sure to stay hydrated while doing a colon cleanse at home; you can become dehydrated from having to use the bathroom so much throughout the cleanse.

Oxygen-Based Colon Cleanses

Oxygen colon cleanses involve taking medication orally to clean the colon. These pills are made of activated oxygen and are said to be the most effective method of relieving constipation. They are also safe to use on a long-term basis, making them a good choice for people who enjoy colon cleansing on a regular basis. This kind of cleanse also doesn’t dehydrate you like other methods.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is another procedure done by a professional outside of your home. This type of colon cleanse uses pressurized warm water that is controlled through a tube inserted into the rectum. This type of colon wash thoroughly cleans the large intestine.

Liquid Cleansing

Another form of cleansing is to detox using liquids. With this type of cleanse, you puree fresh fruits and vegetables to drink. Some of the foods consumed during such a cleanse are soup broths, pureed soups, smoothies, pumpkin seed oil, and purified water. Your diet will consist of these products for up to four weeks, depending on the reason for your cleanse.

Are Colon Cleanses Safe?

There are some instances where a colon cleanse is unsafe for certain individuals. If you are pregnant, suffer from kidney disease, or are regularly dehydrated, you should not do a cleanse. If you perform this routine while pregnant or suffering from kidney disease, it could cause severe side effects. Also, cleansing too often can lead to an electrolyte imbalance that can lead to tears or bleeding in the rectum.

Side Effects

A colon cleanse does come with some side effects. As mentioned, dehydration can occur. When you do a colon cleanse, you are essentially detoxing your body, and this can cause diarrhea. When you have diarrhea, you are losing essential electrolytes in your body. It is important to stay adequately hydrated during a cleanse. Also, some herbal cleanses can increase the risk of a rare blood disorder called aplastic anemia. If you choose to do an herbal cleanse at home, consult a doctor first.

How Often Can You Cleanse?

Only do at-home colon cleanses once a week at most. Any more than that could deplete vital bacteria your body needs to function correctly. It is essential to eat a proper diet that includes fruits and vegetables to keep your electrolytes at an adequate level. Speak to your doctor if you have any questions about colon cleanses. Doctors will be able to help you determine a proper cleansing schedule for your specific needs.