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Discover The Health Benefits Of Colonics

There are many spas and alternative health practitioners who offer colonic irrigation as a treatment to help you manage your health. But are you aware of what the process entails and what some of the potential side effects are? It is a good idea to educate yourself about the possible side effects of any medical procedure before you undergo it and colonic irrigation is no different.

Colonic irrigation involves using an enema to introduce water into the intestinal tract. The theory behind colonic irrigation is that it is important to wash away accumulations of fecal matter before they break down in the intestinal tract. The belief is that this breakdown of fecal material can lead to a build up of toxins in the body.

This belief that the breakdown of fecal matter can release toxins was first put forth by the Ancient Egyptians. They believed that much of the body’s ill health came from the intestines and the stomach and bowels were routinely removed during mummification. The Ancient Greeks also expanded this theory. It again was elaborated on in the 19th century and the idea of “auto-intoxication” was developed.

Enemas do use fluids to evacuate, or clear, the bowels but a colonic irrigation uses a much larger amount of water, sometimes up to twenty gallons. It is this large amount of liquid that causes the intestinal tract to distend and bloat, then cramp and forcefully expel the contents, clearing it out. The colonic irrigation also uses a wider variety of compounds and liquids than an enema. The colonic irrigation often combines herbs and herbal extracts, coffee and wheat grass extract to achieve different effects and treat different conditions.

One of the main concerns focused around colonic irrigation is that substances can be absorbed quickly and efficiently into the bloodstream through the anal membranes. This can mean that alcohol, caffeine or other drugs can have a stronger and faster effect than normal and that people can overdose as a result. Some herbs can also make prescription medication less effective. Also, if someone is performing the colonic and they lack the proper training, they can actually rupture the intestinal tract.

Doing research can help you find out any possible side effects. You need to know that even a mixture of baking soda and water can cause electrolyte imbalances and there have been cases of people who have suffered cardiovascular failure as a result of baking soda enemas.

Anything you do that interferes with the body’s natural elimination processes can cause health problems in the long run. You could suffer a perforated bowel from the insertion of the apparatus that will be used to perform the colonic irrigation. You could also become physically or psychologically dependent on help for defecation although this normally only happens after repeated colonic irrigations.

If you are considering colonic irrigation you should research the process fully to make sure that you have all the facts. Keeping them in mind can help you make the decisions which are best for you, and keep you in optimal health.

April Kerr writes for Leo’s Salons which has details on discounted colonic irrigation and inexpensive stretch mark laser treatment.