Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 16:38, 14 November 2013

Colon cleansing (also known as colon therapy) encompasses a number of alternative medical therapies intended to remove feces and nonspecific toxins from the colon and intestinal tract. Colon cleansing may take the form of colon hydrotherapy (also called a colonic or colonic irrigation) or oral cleansing regimens, such as dietary supplements. During the 2000s internet marketing and infomercials of colon supplements increased.

People who practice colon cleansing believe that accumulations of putrefied feces line the walls of the large intestine and that these accumulations harbor parasites or pathogenic gut flora, causing nonspecific symptoms and general ill-health. This "auto-intoxication" hypothesis is based on medical beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks and was discredited in the early 20th century.

No scientific evidence supports the alleged benefits of colon cleansing But on the other hand, many naturopathic doctors and alternative health practitioners recommend colonics and even offer them in their practice. There isn't a lot of science to support the use of colonics but there is certainly a lot of enthusiasm for them amongst certain people".

"has no known medical value and risks damage to the rectum or bowel." The bowel itself is "not dirty” and, unless disease or medication interfere, "nature does a fine job of clearing out wastes."  Certain enema preparations have been associated with heart attacks and electrolyte imbalances, and improperly prepared or used equipment can cause infection or damage to the bowel.  Frequent colon cleansing can lead to dependence on enemas to defecate and some herbs may reduce the effectiveness of prescription drugs.

History

"Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was a supporter of colonic hydrotherapy for fever therapy. In the early 1900s, an American doctor, John H Kellogg, MD used colonic hydrotherapy on 40,000 of his patients. In the 1917 editon of The Journal Of American Medical Association, he reported in all but 20 cases, he didn’t need to perform surgery for his patients with gastrointestinal disease".

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, applying their belief in the four humours. In the 19th century, studies in biochemistry and microbiology seemed to support the autointoxication hypothesis, and mainstream physicians promoted the idea.  The idea was promoted most strongly by Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov (1845-1916), 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 favor 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 colon cleansing has undergone a resurgence in the alternative medical community, supported by testimonials and anecdotal evidence and promoted by manufacturers of colon-cleansing products.

Relationship to medical symptoms

The symptoms that are attributed to auto-intoxication—headache, fatigue, loss of appetite and irritability—are actually caused by mechanical distention within the bowel, such as irritable bowel syndrome, rather than toxins from putrefying food. The benefits anecdotally attributed to colon cleansing are vague and the claims made by manufacturers and practitioners are based on a flawed understanding of the body. There is little evidence of actual benefit to the procedure, and no evidence that it can alleviate the symptoms that are attributed to the theories of colon cleansing.

Complications and risks

As the colon normally expels waste, colon cleansing is generally unneeded. Colonic irrigation can disrupt the bowel's normal flora and if done frequently can result in electrolyte depletion with dehydration. Rare but severe adverse events have been rectal perforation and amoebic infection from poorly sterilised equipment. Another claim is that it may impede the colon's shedding of dead cells.

Excessive amounts of laxatives, diuretics and any other colon cleansing technique may cause an imbalance of good bacteria and acidotphilus in the gut. Therefore, colonic irrigation should be administered by a trained practitioner who supplies probiotics post treatment.

Colon hydrotherapy

Colonic irrigation also known as colon hydrotherapy, colonic hydrotherapy, or a "colonic", is a treatment which is used "to wash out the contents of the large bowel by means of copious enemas using water or other medication."

Colonic hydrotherapy is not the same as colon cleansing which uses aloe vera, laxatives or supplements taken orally. Colonic hydrotherapy is used to clean out the colon of fecal matter. It is done using equipment. There are various types of equipment available designed for colonic irrigation. The most modern methods use FDA approved medical equipment. Colonic irrigation treatment usually takes about 40 minutes. Colonic irrigation is not the same as an enema as colonic irrigaion clears the is bowel thoroughly cleared where an enema does not does not clear the complete bowel but merely the sigmoid colon area. During an enema, the water is retained in the colon for approximately 15 minutes. During a colonic, water is introduced into the colon and then it is flushed out and this is repeated until the entire colon is cleared.

Colonic irrigation has been described as an "unwise" procedure as it carries the risk of serious harm and has no proven benefit.

Supplement effectiveness

The consumer advocacy news program Marketplace conducted a consumer trial with 3 women on the effectiveness of two colon supplements versus fiber. The results showed the supplements did not assist in weight loss and provided no additional benefit over a basic fiber supplement.

According to the American Cancer Society, "Available scientific evidence does not support claims that colon therapy is effective in treating cancer or any other disease".

However, a much larger study carried out by Dr. Bernard Jenson based on 60 years of patient studies found that overall health is improved by undertaking specific dietary guidelines for proper bowel maintenance, along with a colonic cleansing system and effective exercise program. He has undertaken extensive studies and says that "Too few people in our culture experience the benefits of proper bowel function". He also writes that (healing) "cannot be done effectively in a body that is breaking down due to toxification." Symptoms that indicate that it may be time for a colonic include, bloating, burping, flatulence, poor digestion and stomachache after meals.

Regulation

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally considers colonic irrigation machines to be Class III devices, except for those sold for medically-needed colon cleansing (such as before an x-ray or colonoscopy, which are Class II devices). Unless state law says otherwise, a person buying such a machine is required to be licensed to prescribe colonic irrigation. The irrigations themselves are supposed to be prescribed and supervised by a health care provider licensed by the state. In the United States the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the production of equipment used in colon hydrotherapy in the USA but does not regulate their use, or the supplements used in oral colon-cleansing regimens and manufacturer claims do not require verification or supporting evidence. The contents of the products are also not verified or tested. Registered professional colon hydrotherapists use equipment which is FDA approved. "The FDA approval process is a lengthy and complex set of individual phases, each of which is focused on a different aspect of the new product - safety, efficiency, adverse reactions and side effects." Certain standards must be met in order for the therapist to gain insurance and to be certified by a recognised colonic hydrotherapy organisation. For example, tubes must be disposable and the person using the equipment will have undergone professional training and holds certification in order to be a member of this organisation. Those considering colonic irrigation should ensure that the therapist is a member of IACT or a recognised colonic hydrotherapy organisation. IACT (International Association For Colonic Hydrotherapy) is the largest colonic hydrotherapy organisation in the world. "Since the inception of this organization (1992) there has been a concerted effort and vocal advocacy for the use of FDA registered Colon Hydrotherapy equipment. I-ACT has been instrumental in establishing training standards, providing certification, and working to strengthen the professionalism of the industry around the world. In addition they provide a referral service for trained colon hydrotherapists around the world."

See also

• Alternative medicine
• Body cleansing
• Constipation
• List of ineffective cancer treatments
• Mucoid plaque

References

1. ^ "Do you really need to clean your colon?". Marketplace. CBC Television. 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
2. ^ "Colon Therapy". American Cancer Society. 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
3. DR. K. Chutkan MD, Robynne. "Colonics: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".
4. ^ Brody, J (2008-07-22). "Health 'Facts' You Only Thought You Knew". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
5. Schneider, K (2003-02-27). "How Clean Should Your Colon Be?". American Council on Science and Health. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
6. Aletheia, TR (2010). Cancer: An American Conspiracy. Minneopolis, USA. p. 40.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
7. ^ Wanjek, C (2006-08-08). "Colon Cleansing: Money Down the Toilet". LiveScience. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
8. ^ Chen TS, Chen PS (1989). "Intestinal autointoxication: a medical leitmotif". J. Clin. Gastroenterol. 11 (4): 434–41. doi:10.1097/00004836-198908000-00017. PMID 2668399.
9. Smith JL (1982). "Sir William Arbuthnot-Lane, 1st Baronet, chronic intestinal stasis, and autointoxication". Annals of Internal Medicine. 96 (3): 365–9. PMID 7036818. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
10. ^ Ernst E (1997). "Colonic irrigation and the theory of auto-intoxication: a triumph of ignorance over science". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 24 (4): 196–8. doi:10.1097/00004836-199706000-00002. PMID 9252839. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
11. ^ Adams, C. "Does colonic irrigation do you any good?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
12. Alvarez, WC (1919). "Origin of the so-called auto-intoxication symptom". JAMA. 72 (1): 8–13. doi:10.1001/jama.1919.02610010014002.
13. Cite error: The named reference Quackwatch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
14. Donaldson, AN (1922). "Relation of constipation to intestinal intoxication". JAMA. 78 (12): 884–8. doi:10.1001/jama.1922.02640650028011.
15. Lindner, L (2008-01-01). "Colon Cleansing: Don't Be Misled By the Claims". Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
16. ^ Picco, M (2007-03-21). "Colon cleansing: Is it helpful or harmful?". The Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
17. Handley DV, Rieger NA, Rodda DJ (2004). "Rectal perforation from colonic irrigation administered by alternative practitioners". Med. J. Aust. 181 (10): 575–6. PMID 15540974. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
18. • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (1981). "Amebiasis associated with colonic irrigation—Colorado". MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 30 (9): 101–2. PMID 6789134. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
    • Istre GR; Kreiss K; Hopkins RS; et al. (1982). "An outbreak of amebiasis spread by colonic irrigation at a chiropractic clinic". N. Engl. J. Med. 307 (6): 339–42. doi:10.1056/NEJM198208053070603. PMID 6283354. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |author-separator= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
19. ^ Tennen M (June 2007). "The Dangers of Colon Cleansing". HealthAtoZ.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
20. Sally, Roach et El (2010). Roach's Introductory Clinical Pharmacology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkin. p. 403.
21. Jennifer, Dyflin. "Probiotics and Acidophilus and Colonic Irrigati".
22. McFerran, Tanya (21 February 2008). Martin, Elizabeth A (ed.). Colonic irrigation. Oxford University Press. p. 103. ISBN 0-199-21177-9. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
23. Youngson M.D. et all, Robert M. (2005). Encyclopedia of Family Health. Vol. 3. USA: Marshall Cavandish. p. 384. ISBN 0-7614-7489-7.
24. Mishori, Ranit; Jones, Aminah Alleyne; Otubu, Aye (2011). "The dangers of colon cleansing: patients may look to colon cleansing as a way to 'enhance their well-being,' but in reality they may be doing themselves harm" (pdf). Journal of Family Practice. 60 (8): 454.
25. Dr. Jensen, Bernard (1998). Dr. Jensen's Guide to Better Bowel Care. Avery (Penguin Group). p. 80.
26. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/manualhealingandphysicaltouch/colon-therapy. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
27. Torrens, Paul R. Introduction to Health Services. Thomson Delmar Learning. p. 28. ISBN 13-978-4180-1289-1. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help)
28. "Testing for Each Level".
29. IACT. "Petition To Reclassify Colonic Irrigation Devices for Manufacturers Listed" (PDF). Retrieved 5th November 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

Preparation for Colonic Irrigation People who intend to have a colonic irrigation should seek a practitioner who is a member of recognised organisation such as IACT. Trained practitioners will advise clients to fast for 2 hours in advance of colonic irrigation treatment.

Aftercare For Colonic Irrigation After colonic irrigation, it is normal for no bowel movement to occur for up to 72 hours. The reason for this is the the bowel is empty. A probiotic is given and should be taken before leaving the clinic to ensure good bacteria in the colon is replaced.

1. Murray, Mary. "How To Prepare For Colonic Irrigation". Retrieved 5 November 2013.
2. Jeffries, Anne. "Probiotics and Acidophilus and Colonic Irrigation". Retrieved 5th eNovember 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

• Alternative diagnoses
• Alternative medicine
• Alternative detoxification
• Colon (anatomy)
• Pseudoscience