- What are the benefits
- How to do intestinal lavage
- Possible risks and side effects
- Tips for a safe intestinal lavage
Intestinal lavage is a natural method that consists of inserting fluids in the intestine to remove waste. This procedure must be performed by a health professional, however it can also be done at home with great care, as it presents some risks, and serves as an evacuation procedure or diagnostic method.
Some people do intestinal washing to eliminate toxins, resulting from food, which can cause tiredness, headache, weight gain and decreased energy and vitality. However, it can also be used to perform tests, such as a colonoscopy, for example.
What are the benefits
Although there are still no studies to prove it, people who resort to intestinal washing intend to lose weight, eliminate toxins and balance the intestinal flora in order to promote improvements in digestion and the immune system, reduce the risk of colon cancer and increase vitality.
In addition, intestinal lavage may also be recommended for people who need to have bowel examinations, such as colonoscopies or rectoscopies.
How to do intestinal lavage
Intestinal lavage can be done by a healthcare professional in a hospital or at home with an enema or kit. Learn how to make an enema at home step-by-step.
Generally, intestinal washing is done with specific products that are sold at the pharmacy, such as enemas with medicine, already ready for use or pear-shaped devices where warm water can be inserted, for example. When these products are inserted into the anus, after a few minutes they are again eliminated together with the residues and content present in the rectum and the final part of the large intestine. Here's how to use an enema at home.
Hydrocolontherapy is a type of intestinal wash in which filtered and purified warm water is inserted through the anus, allowing the accumulated feces and intestine toxins to be eliminated, which is often used to combat constipation, and is also often indicated in preparation for surgery. This procedure is different from the enema, as the enema only eliminates the feces from the initial portion of the intestine, while hydrocolonotherapy makes a complete intestinal cleansing.
Possible risks and side effects
Intestinal lavage presents some risks, such as:
- Dehydration, because the removal of waste comes with fluids, which can, in extreme cases, cause kidney failure; Electrolyte imbalance, as the washing of the intestine can cause changes in the electrolytes in the body, such as potassium and sodium, which can lead to loss of consciousness and kidney failure; Infection, because the intestinal lavage can facilitate the entry of bacteria through the material used and because it can remove the good bacteria from the intestine, which can cause an imbalance of the intestinal flora; Perforation of the intestine, which can cause symptoms such as fever, pain, chills and nausea and even cause death, so at the first signs it is very important to seek medical emergency.
Due to the fact that there is not enough evidence to prove the supposed benefits of intestinal lavage with no diagnostic or therapeutic purpose, it is always recommended to go to the doctor to assess the need to perform this procedure. Some of the side effects of this method are diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, feeling sick and altered absorption of some medications.
Tips for a safe intestinal lavage
In order to be able to perform a safe intestinal lavage, you should talk to the doctor, who can explain how to do the procedure or refer the person to a health professional who does, drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
In addition, it is also very important to preferably use new or sterile material, to wear gloves and, at the end of the procedure, to clean the patient.
Intestinal lavage is contraindicated for people who have anorectal diseases or who have undergone recent surgery in the region.
