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colon cleansing
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MedHelp Member's Question

colon cleansing

by momma d, Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
Can anyone out there tell me what is a way to clean out your colon?  I have a daughter who goes days without doing a bowl movement.  I've taken her to the doctor and they say x-ray shows colon full. Just drink lots of water, eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and take Senakote-S.  WEll, I don't think that's enough.  She's still not going regularly.  What would a hydrocleaning do.  Has anyone done one?  Is there something else outthere that would work or something I could try? Thank you.
Member Comments (11)

by Wilson, Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
To: momma d
You might consider trying an over-the-counter colonoscopy prep solution. I believe they cause the colon itself to secrete water, and it's a little unpleasant, but really does the job of cleaning out the bowel. Basically you drink this liquid and within a few hours there's a little cramping, and then you just keep visiting the toilet over the next several hours until everything has been eliminated. I would definitely check with the doctor first to make sure no harm would be done with this method in the case of severe constipation, but to me this would be much more preferable than the dreaded "hose".

by imkindly, Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
I agree with Wilson.

I would definately check with a doctor BEFORE doing anything.



As far as over-the-counter-preparations-for-colonoscopy....citrate of magnesium is effective.

But I wouldn't go giving that to your daughter, unless you speak with a doctor.



Also, as far as "hydrotherapy goes, this is from Quackwatch:

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Colonic irrigation -- also called colon hydrotherapy -- is typically performed by passing a rubber tube into the rectum for a distance of up to 20 or 30 inches. Warm water is pumped in and out through the tube, a few pints at a time, typically using 20 or more gallons. Some practitioners add herbs, coffee, or other substances to the water. The procedure is said to "detoxify" the body. Its advocates claim that, as a result of intestinal stasis, intestinal contents putrefy, and toxins are formed and absorbed, which causes chronic poisoning of the body. The Total Health Connection and Canadian Natural Health and Healing Center Web sites provide more details of proponents' claims.



This "autointoxication" theory was popular around the turn of the century but was abandoned by the scientific community during the 1920s. No such "toxins" have ever been identified, and careful observations have shown that individuals in good health can vary greatly in bowel habits. Proponents may also suggest that fecal material collects on the lining of the intestine and causes trouble unless removed by laxatives, colonic irrigation, special diets, and/or various herbs or food supplements that "cleanse" the body. The falsity of this notion is obvious to doctors who perform intestinal surgery or peer within the large intestine with a diagnostic instrument. Fecal material does not adhere to the intestinal lining.



Colonic irrigation is not only therapeutically worthless but can cause fatal electrolyte imbalance. Cases of death due to intestinal perforation and infection (from contaminated equipment) have also been reported.

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I hope you read that last sentence again.





My advice to you----Try something simple:

Feed your daughter a bowl of CHEERIOS every morning.

Do that for a week and see if her problem goes away.

If it does, make Cheerios part of her daily routine.

by Prilobabe, Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
My daughter went thru this when she was about 3 years old. She had a "thing" about using the toilet. I ended up having her eat more fruit and cereal (like Cheerios) and the problem resolved itself. At first she still did not go every day but that was better than holding it for up to seven days at a time! I hope it works out for you and I wouldn't try anything radical. I have a friend who does those "coffee enemas". I always thought that they couldn't be too good for you. He actually pays someone for this! Best wishes to you and your daughter.

by karizmaflip, Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
TRY A SOAP SUDS ENEMA. THAT MIGHT WORK.

by Veronica, Feb 16, 2002 12:00AM
Just using enemas to clear the rectum are good.  I have to do this.  You'll find that the rest will follow through then.  However I have to massage the abdomen to get it to work also.  It is a great relief, better than leaving the stuff in there accumulating.  Better than laxatives also.  A couple of my doctors said it is okay when nothing else works.  Also try Psyillium Hulls.  It swells up like a sponge and absorbs water and helps empty the bowel.  Have you tried this.  Also Aloe Vera juice is great.

by gag, Feb 18, 2002 12:00AM
Momma D why cheerios?

by band, Feb 19, 2002 12:00AM
I agree that more fiber is needed in the diet along with more fluids.  You should do over the whole diet. Some foods are not as well digested and may tend to cause constipation.  Allowed to continue, constipation can cause a disorder that deadens the nerves of the sphincter muscle.  My son developed this as a young baby and it continued until he was about 7 years old.  At that time I was told to give him corn bran.  It is a cereal that is found in most grocery stores.  It is palatable for youngsters. He was only allowed 1/2 cup of milk daily.  There are plenty of other sources for the nutrients found in it.  The balance of his diet consisted of fresh (not canned or frozen) fruits and vegetables.  Also I had to be careful not to overdo the meat.  He was not allowed bananas, applesauce, peanut butter,

puddings, raisins, ice cream along with a few other things.  Apples (with the peel on) is a great source of fiber.  Oat meal is a great source. Oranges are good.  Beans if they are tolerated. Sugary drinks and snacks should also be avoided, they cause the colon to harbor bad bacteria.  Water should be the drink of choice.  Most fruit juices are too high in calories and sugars and not enough fiber to do any good.  For a short time I had to give him laxatives and 2 enemas a day.  Only for a couple of weeks to help him get going.  Also if your daughter has produced very large stool she may be putting it off(as my son did) because it hurts too much.  He went through alot, sometimes it was hard because other people do not realize the misery that these children go through.  As for anything like laxatives or enemas, or any thing like that, I would only do at the direction of her physician. I was very successful in keeping him regular with diet.  Good luck

by imkindly, Feb 20, 2002 12:00AM
To: gag
Cheerios work for the same reason oatmeal does. They contain lots of oats. (Fiber).

It's usually easy to get a kid to eat a bowl of Cheerios.

by sandmat, Feb 26, 2002 12:00AM
To: mommad
Your daughter needs a product called "Experience"  It is very safe and natural and it will work.  I have never known of anyone it did not work for.  At www.coltonaware.g2gm.com  this lady was at the end of her rope to help her son because of constipation.  The product really works and it helpe to rebuild and re-educate the colon as it cleans out the old fecal matter.  There is also a video to help people understand what happens in the colon and why so many people suffer because of constipation, it is called "Can Death Begin in the Colon?"  Visit my website to read about Experience and all the ingredients, etc.   www.sandra.awarenesslife.com   or email me if you have any questions at ***@****

by lawrence, Feb 28, 2002 12:00AM
I have had good luck with fine ground psyllium powder for a colon cleanse. However it makes my stool rather knotted for a while and then it seems to become quite lose again, but im not sure if its pushing all the old waste out. how long it lasts im not sure yet. anybody else had this problem?

by jenna1, Mar 18, 2002 12:00AM
First--Do you realize that some people don't have BM's everyday and that this is very Normal? Some people only have a BM once a week, once every two weeks for some.. I'm serious.. Do Not mess with your poor daughters digestive system with all the junk they are telling you to do on this site. If she is not haveing any problems (other than her mom freakin out) then Leave her alone.

by GordonPears, Nov 12, 2008 11:30PM
A related discussion, Name used: Natural colon cleansing was started.

by GordonPears, Nov 21, 2008 01:55AM
A related discussion, ways to colon cleanse was started.

by GordonPears