are colonics safe?

which is safer, colonics or enemas


This discussion is related to enema's?.

[FurballsMom]

I actually agree overall with mammo.  There is good reason not to use the enemas for more than occasional stubborn constipation.  Even conventional doctors say this.  Be cautious, too, about overuse of laxatives.  Even with stubborn cases of chronic constipation, as might happen with IBS, be very cautious about becoming dependent on laxatives.  That's a very dangerous and slippery road.  You're much better off adding healthy probiotics, safely changing your diet to healthier foods that you're not sensitive to and making sure you get enough fiber in your diet.  Even conventional doctors won't argue about this much.  

If you still have colon pain that often goes with stuff like IBS-C, you can ask for your doctor to prescribe an antispasmatic medication.  That's often all I have to do if the pain gets unbearable or chronic.  However, even with these medications, you must only use these on a temporary basis, then give your body a break before using them again in the future.  My GI prescribes one that I only take when I really have to.  That's actually what he wants me to do with it.  He'll get no argument about that out of me.  Sometimes sipping on plain old hot water and/or putting a heat source, like a heating pad or a hot water bottle over the painful part of the colon actually helps.  And, since you need water often when your colon is constipated, there is no harm in using a bit of hot water and drinking it like you would tea or coffee.  In fact, steer clear of real tea (black, green or white) and coffee and any herbs that are known to be diuretics, because these will draw water away from the colon.  You need water going into the colon if you're constipated.  Especially when you have used your fiber the way you're supposed to.  If you can tolerate a mild herbal tea that is NOT diuretic, that's fine, too.  Plain hot water is actually good enough, though, over all and is just water, which we need anyway.

[mammo]

In my opinion, enemas serve a purpose with constipatiion, Colonics is just a way to get your money!

[FurballsMom]

I actually agree overall with mammo.  There is good reason not to use the enemas for more than occasional stubborn constipation.  Even conventional doctors say this.  Be cautious, too, about overuse of laxatives.  Even with stubborn cases of chronic constipation, as might happen with IBS, be very cautious about becoming dependent on laxatives.  That's a very dangerous and slippery road.  You're much better off adding healthy probiotics, safely changing your diet to healthier foods that you're not sensitive to and making sure you get enough fiber in your diet.  Even conventional doctors won't argue about this much.  

If you still have colon pain that often goes with stuff like IBS-C, you can ask for your doctor to prescribe an antispasmatic medication.  That's often all I have to do if the pain gets unbearable or chronic.  However, even with these medications, you must only use these on a temporary basis, then give your body a break before using them again in the future.  My GI prescribes one that I only take when I really have to.  That's actually what he wants me to do with it.  He'll get no argument about that out of me.  Sometimes sipping on plain old hot water and/or putting a heat source, like a heating pad or a hot water bottle over the painful part of the colon actually helps.  And, since you need water often when your colon is constipated, there is no harm in using a bit of hot water and drinking it like you would tea or coffee.  In fact, steer clear of real tea (black, green or white) and coffee and any herbs that are known to be diuretics, because these will draw water away from the colon.  You need water going into the colon if you're constipated.  Especially when you have used your fiber the way you're supposed to.  If you can tolerate a mild herbal tea that is NOT diuretic, that's fine, too.  Plain hot water is actually good enough, though, over all and is just water, which we need anyway.

[harrald]

The important ingredient in Fleet's enemas is Sodium Phosphate. Colonics or colon washes can contain Sodium Phosphate and other chemical substances. The danger with repeated colon washes is that one can deplete your body's necessary electrolyes of Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and more. These electrolyes regulate your heartbeat and can producte arrhythmias of your heart.  Enemas provide a fast laxative when you really need it. The volume of chemicals in enemas is far less than the volume of colon washes, hence the name, colon washes. Colonoscopies use to require one drink a gallon of medical detergent over an 8-hour period to clear the colon for inspection. It has been about 10 years since my last colonoscopy, but the medical detergent has been replaced with another souce to clean the colon.

Harrald