Side Effects Of Colon Cleansing

Colon cleansing side effects are common. But some of these side effects are serious enough to warrant prompt medical attention.

Many of us are aware of the beneficial effects of colon cleansing. For the uninitiated, especially those adopting colon cleansing the very first time, there could be some apprehension when side effects occur during the colon cleansing process. Therefore, you need to understand what are considered as normal side effects as opposed to serious side effects.

Colon cleansing side effects when using herbs to colon cleanse

Most herbal colon cleansing products contain various types of herbs. These herbs are also the reasons behind colon cleansing side effects. Certain types of herbs possess properties which can help in the relief of constipation and enhances colon cleansing.

But there are also some side effects associated with using them. So, what are the most common side effects of colon cleansing?

Top 10 colon cleansing side effects

• Drowsiness and fatigue

• Nausea

• Bloating

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting

• Intestinal cramps

• Worsened constipation

• Urine discoloration

• Chronic diarrhoea

• Allergic reactions

Drowsiness and fatigue are very common symptoms when a detoxification is in progress. Nausea, bloating and loss of appetite are also considered normal. You should not be too worried about that. However, if the colon cleansing product contains the herb Senna, you have to be aware that you cannot consume the product for more than 1 week.

Urine discoloration when consuming Senna is normal and you should not be too alrmed by that.

It is dangerous. Chronic diarrhoea with the loss of electrolytes such as potassium can be life-threatening. Long term mineral loss can also cause more severe side effects such as cardiac arrests, kidney failures, and even death.

Overuse of Senna can also cause over-dependency leading to the loss of the natural ability by the colon to defecate. Consult a doctor before taking Senna if you have inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Senna can affect the body in such a way that the colon can no longer absorb water, thereby dehydrating it and causing electrolyte imbalance leading to serious health problems.

Pregnant, nursing women and children should not be using Senna. Like Senna, the herb Cascada Sagrada produces similar side effects stated above. It must not be consumed for more than 7 days.

For lactating mothers, Cascada Sagrada must not be taken as it will be excreted together with the breast milk. Perhaps the most dangerous and significant colon cleansing side effects would be an allergic reaction to the herbs used.

Allergic symptoms would include swelling of the lip, tongue and face, difficulty in breathing and hives. Stop consuming the product immediately and seek prompt medical attention.

That said, Senna and Cascada Sagrada seem to be pretty well tolerated by the general population.

Colon cleansing side effects and colon hydrotherapy 

Colon hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation can be potentially dangerous if it is administered by untrained personnel. When the procedure is done too frequently, the colon may absorb too much water leading to electrolyte imbalances in the blood which can cause heart failure.

There is also a risk of perforation of the intestinal wall when done incorrectly. A number of deaths have been reported due to this.

Colon hydrotherapy should not performed on people suffering from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and diverculitis. In fact, it is also not recommended to those who have large haemorrhoids in the colon.

Colon hydrotherapy performed on those who are not aware that they are suffering from colon cancer can be disastrous!

Colon cleansing side effects when using enema

In the case of using enema for colon cleansing, it is advisable to do it under the supervision of healthcare professionals as opposed to doing it yourself in the home. An unhealthy habit will be formed if an enema is relied upon to initiate a daily bowel movement on a regular basis.

Normally, the possible side effects from using enema are anal tissue tears caused by improper insertion of the rectal tip.

This is caused by not applying enough petroleum jelly to lubricate the anus before insertion. There is also a small risk of perforating the intestinal wall by the rectal tip.

Everyone is born different. What works for some may not work for others. On a longer-term, effective colon cleansing when done correctly can have life-long benefits to one’s health.

Just be mindful of the possible colon cleansing side effects so that you do not be overly obsessed with colon cleanse too frequently!