Bowel washing is a natural method of introducing fluids into the intestine to remove waste. This procedure should be performed by a healthcare professional, but it can also be performed at home with great care, as it presents certain risks and serves as an evacuation procedure or diagnostic method.
Some people do intestinal washes to eliminate toxins, resulting from food, which can cause fatigue, headaches, weight gain and decreased energy and vitality. However, it can also be used for testing, such as a colonoscopy for example.
- Although there are no studies yet to prove it.
- People who use bowel washing claim to lose weight.
- Eliminate toxins and balance intestinal flora in order to improve digestion and the immune system.
- Reduce the risk of colon cancer and increase vitality.
In addition, bowel washing may also be recommended for people who need to have bowel exams, such as colonoscopies or rectoscopies.
The intestinal wash can be done by a health care professional in a hospital or at home with an enema or kit. Learn how to make an enema step by step at home.
Intestinal washing is usually done with specific products sold in pharmacies, such as drug enemas, ready-to-use devices, or pear-shaped devices where hot water can be inserted, for example. When these products are inserted into the anus, they are removed again after a few minutes with the residue and content present in the rectum and the end of the large intestine. Here’s how to use an enema at home.
Hydrocolon therapy is a type of intestinal wash in which warm water filtered and purified by the anus is inserted, allowing the elimination of accumulated stool and intestinal toxins, often used to combat constipation, and is also usually indicated in preparation for surgery. This procedure is different from enema because enema only removes stool from the initial part of the intestine, while hydrocollonotherapy performs a complete bowel cleansing.
Bowel washing has certain risks, including
Because there is insufficient evidence to prove the purported benefits of intestinal washing without a diagnostic or therapeutic purpose, it is always recommended to go to the doctor to assess the need to perform this procedure. Side effects of this method include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, nausea and poor absorption of certain medications.
In order to safely perform a bowel wash, you should talk to your doctor, who can explain how to perform the procedure or refer the person to a health care professional who performs it, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
In addition, it is also very important to use new or sterilized equipment preferably, wear gloves and, at the end of the procedure, clean the patient.
Bowel washing is contraindications for people with anorectal diseases or who have had recent surgery in the area.