Colonic Irrigation

[anonnymous]

I have started the new year with the intention of changing my somewhat poor lifestyle for the better. I have heard that food can stay in your intestines for months and I figured this cannot be good for you. Has anyone ever had colonic irrigation? Was it beneficial? Was it painful?

Thanks in advance

[snook]

Haven't had it and don't intend to. I think it's another fad that'll go away after a while. How can it be natural to have a clearout that way? Food goes in one end and out the other, that's the way the body's designed. Surely you should only mess with the system in this way under medical supervision, or when a doctor advises it, no? If you want a good clearout, eat nothing for a day or so (or eat sparingly) and drink plenty of water. After your short fast, resume eating gently by eating only fruit for a day or at least half a day (fruit has a very high water content and is easily digested). Oh, and of course, get plenty of fresh air and some exercise during these few days, no lounging around, that won't help your body do its spring cleaning!

[natalie_1982]

I'd agree with Snook's comments, although I have always been tempted to try a colonic, I don't think I would. If you take Snook's advice I would also suggest to snack on cucumber sticks and raw peppers, particularly red peppers as they are good for 'slearing you out' so to speak and the yellow ones are the sweetest and tastiest! Also, this has never helped me but I have IBS, a lot of people recocmmend drinking hot water with a squeeze of lemon in it first thing in the morning.

[lady_p_gold]

I agree with snook, the whole idea does sound very attractive like putting in a new hoover bag or something, however although in most cases I am sure it is safe there have been people who have had problems following it and I personally would not risk interfering with nature in this way.

www.colon-health.org/coloncleanse-resources/colonic-dangers/

[boobesque]

A lot of doctors recently have been saying that our bodies are so well equped to get rid of waste products that there are no real benefits of having a colonic. Personally it wouldnt be something i would do.

[chazza]

I have also been told that it gets rid of good as well as bad bacteria, therefore having a negative effect on your body

[Cymbeline]

I have had collonic irrigation regularly for the last five years. My body is unable to respond "naturally" to the passing in and out of food due to an eating disorder I had when in my teens which has resulted in me possessing (as my hydrotherapist noted) the bowels of an eighty year old (I am only 28). I find it difficult to agree with your comments, Snook, that one should listen to the advice of a doctor as I have found, in my case, doctors to be both baffled and unwilling to open their eyes to alternative medicine. I would however agree that it is not and should not be treated as a silly fad to lose a few pounds. Incidentally, it is not painful just a little uncomfortable and the good bacteria are replaced by acidophillus tablets after the proceedure.

[snook]

Cymbeline, I've had one or two chronic health problems for quite a while now and luckily my experiences with doctors have all been good in recent years. I did have one or two bad ones though, years ago, so I can understand your sentiments - some doctors are indeed very closed-minded, which is always a bit shocking in someone who's obviously well educated, and particularly so in their own field.

My comment about following a doctor's advice was a generalisation, since people sometimes tend to go into a 'new' therapy with their eyes closed, so to speak. I only meant that a person should avail him or herself of any and all information that could be pertinent.

I certainly wouldn't have anything negative to say about any 'alternative' treatments, specially if you find they're working for you. I certainly hope you benefit from the treatment you're undergoing at the moment, Cymbeline.

[joannie10]

I have had it done and can assure you it was not painful. Strange feeling of going to pass wind at the time and make a mess but was just a feeling not the case. I cannot say how beneficial it was. I do not have any particular problems and nurse was able to reassure me of that but went because I had been having a really healthy week of fruit and veg before a holiday and heard that they recommend eating fruit and veg for a couple of days before so seemed no time like the present. I had also been horrified by stories of what stays in your intestines so because of that, even though i felt no real difference I plan to get it done once or twice a year. I have, like others have mentioned, heard that it can remove good stuff from our bodies but believe that is only if done on a regular basis.

My advice is if you fancy having it dont go for it definately but have a couple of days of healthy eating in the lead up to it.