The dangers of colon cleansing
The Journal of Family Practice. 2011 August;60(8):454-457
August 1, 2011|The Journal of Family Practice
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Patients may look to colon cleansing as a way to “enhance their well-being,” but in reality they may be doing themselves harm.
Raise the issue with patients
Given the current popularity of colon cleansing, it’s important to recognize that some of your patients may engage in, or be thinking about, the practice. (See “4 things to tell patients about colon cleansing”.) Be sure to tell patients about the potential consequences of colon cleansing and to emphasize that there is a lack of evidence to back up supporters’ claims.
4 things to tell patients about colon cleansing
- Colon irrigation is not wise—particularly if you have a history of gastrointestinal disease (including diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis) or a history of colon surgery, severe hemorrhoids, kidney disease, or heart disease. These conditions increase the risk of adverse effects.2,3,11,16
- Side effects of colon cleansing include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, acute kidney insufficiency, pancreatitis, bowel perforation, heart failure, and infection. 2,3,11,16
- The devices that practitioners use for the procedure are not approved for colon cleansing by the US Food and Drug Administration. Inadequately disinfected or sterilized irrigation machines have been linked to bacterial contamination.2,11,19
- Colon cleansing practitioners are not licensed by a scientifically based organization. Rather, practitioners have undergone a training process structured by an organization that is attempting to institute its own certification and licensing requirements.
CORRESPONDENCE
Ranit Mishori, MD, MHS, Georgetown University School of Medicine, 3900 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007; mishorir@georgetown.edu
