Colon hydrotherapy has gained popularity in the last decade as a way to detoxify and cleanse the colon by removing impacted fecal matter. But hydrotherapy can do more than just cleanse the colon. Slowly it is gaining recognition in the medical community as an improved preparation method for colonoscopies.
Colonoscopies are used for examining the walls of the colon by inserting a small camera to screen for colon cancer, pre-cancerous growths and other abnormalities.
Your doctor may refer you for a colonoscopy if:
- you have risk for colorectal cancer,
- you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis,
- you have blood in your stool,
- you have anemia,
- there is a presence of polyps,
- you are over the age of 50, or
- you have unexplained abdominal pain or changes in bowel movements.
Since the colon must be completely cleared for colonoscopy results to be accurate, preparation methods are strictly adhered to. These inconvenient methods include fasting, maintaining a clear liquid diet a day or two prior and ingesting harsh oral laxatives designed to trigger bowel-clearing diarrhea. Some side effects of these laxatives include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and painful diarrhea.
If preparation isn’t done correctly or has left behind any matter, polyps and lesions can be missed and the whole procedure may have to be rescheduled.
For elderly or ill patients, drinking harsh chemical laxatives makes them more likely to suffer from electrolyte abnormalities and kidney damage. Colon hydrotherapy avoids any nasty side effects since it only uses warm, filtered water to remove waste. No chemicals. No side effects. No mess.
Dr. Joseph Fiorito, Chief of Gastroenterology at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut, pioneered the use of hydrotherapy as a bowel preparation method for colonoscopy patients.
In a blind study, hydrotherapy was tested against commonly used liquid laxatives (polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage [PEG–ES] and aqueous sodium phosphate [ASP] for bowel preparation.
Following the study, Dr. Fiorito released a paper at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting that found, “the quality of colon cleansing, overall tolerance, comfort, and convenience were significantly better for hydro [therapy].”
In the study, both patients and doctors found hydrotherapy to be more effective than traditional preparation, while being gentle on the client, their colon and their gut.
A series of colon hydrotherapy treatments is also more convenient, since patients don’t have to worry about missing work, fasting, ingesting dangerous laxatives or being kept up all night with diarrhea.
Colon hydrotherapy is drug-free, pain-free, safe and effective. If you or someone you know is booked for an upcoming colonoscopy, book a consultation with me to learn about your options. Call me at (780) 906-2316 to book your consultation.