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Other common
name(s): colonic irrigation, high colonic, detoxification
therapy, colon hydrotherapy, coffee enemas, enema irrigation,
hydro-colon therapy, high enema
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Colon therapy is the cleansing of the large intestine (colon)
through the administration of water, herbal solutions, enzymes, or
other substances such as coffee.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
colon therapy is effective in treating cancer or any other disease.
Colon therapy can be dangerous and can cause infection or death.
How is it promoted for use?
Proponents of colon therapy consider it to be a method of
detoxifying the body through the removal of accumulated waste from the
colon. Because they claim detoxification increases the efficiency of
the body's natural healing abilities, it is sometimes promoted as a
treatment for illness. It is often promoted as a general preventive
health measure or as part of a routine internal hygiene regimen.
Coffee enemas have been promoted as part of several
controversial cancer treatment regimens. People who promote the use of
coffee enemas to detoxify the body claim that an "unpoisoned" body or a
"clean" colon has the ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Practitioners claim coffee enemas can stimulate the liver and
gallbladder into releasing toxins and flushing them from the body,
allowing the body's immune system to battle malignant cells (see Gerson Therapy
and Metabolic Therapy).
What does it involve?
Colon therapy is given by a colonic hygienist or colon
therapist, through the use of plastic tubes inserted through the rectum
and into the colon. A machine or gravity-driven pump sends large
quantities of liquid (up to 20 gallons) into the large intestine. In
contrast, regular enemas only flush out the rectum, and generally use
about a quart of fluid. After filling the colon with water, the
therapist massages the abdomen to help the removal of waste material
from the colon wall, and then fluid and waste are carried out of the
body through another tube. The procedure is generally repeated several
times, and the average session lasts from 45 to 60 minutes. Coffee
enemas may be included in the treatment program.
What is the history behind it?
As far back as the ancient Egyptians, enemas and other
"cleansing rituals" were commonly used to rid the body of toxic waste
products believed to cause disease and death. In the 19th century,
proponents described the large intestine as a sewage system and claimed
stagnation caused toxins to form and be absorbed by the body, which led
to the theory of "autointoxication." Laxatives, purges, and enemas were
routinely recommended to prevent the accumulation of waste.
Colon therapy became very popular in the United States in the
1920s and 1930s, when irrigation machines were commonly found in
hospitals and physicians' offices. Although the procedure became less
popular when advances in science and medicine did not support its
founding theory, colon therapy has recently shown an increase in
popularity.
In 1985, the California Department of Health Services issued a
statement that listed some of the potential hazards of colon therapy,
including infection and death from contaminated equipment, death from
electrolyte depletion, and perforation (puncture) of the intestinal
wall leading to life-threatening infection or death. The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) considers colonic irrigation machines to be Class
III devices which means they cannot be legally marketed except for
medically needed colon cleansing (such as before an x-ray or endoscope
exam). The FDA forbids practitioners and sellers from making
unsubstantiated claims that have not been proven in scientific studies
about their services. The FDA has warned several companies to stop
making such claims. No colonic irrigation machine or system has been
approved for routine use.
What is the evidence?
Available scientific evidence does not support the claims on
which colon therapy is based. It is known that most digestive processes
take place in the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into
the body. What remains enters the large intestine, where it passes to
the rectum for elimination after water and minerals are extracted.
Available scientific evidence does not support the premise that toxins
accumulate on intestinal walls or that toxicity results from poor
elimination of waste from the colon.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
The machines used for colon therapy are illegal unless used
during conventional medical treatment. Colon therapy can be dangerous.
Illness and even deaths have resulted from contaminated equipment,
electrolyte imbalance, or perforation of intestinal walls. People with
diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, severe
hemorrhoids, rectal or colon tumors, or who are recovering from bowel
surgery may be at higher risk of bowel injury. People with kidney or
heart failure may be more likely to experience fluid overload or
electrolyte imbalances. In addition, many substances can be absorbed
into the body from the colon walls and cause toxic or allergic
reactions. Colon therapy can also cause discomfort and cramps. Relying
on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional
medical care for cancer, may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Anon. Amebiasis associated with colonic irrigation: Colorado. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.
1981;30:101-102.
Aetna InteliHealth. Colonic Irrigation. Accessed at:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/34968.html on June
2, 2008.
Barrett S. Gastrointestinal quackery: colonics, laxatives, and
more. Accessed at:
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/gastro.html on May
30, 2008.
Brown BT. Treating cancer with coffee enemas and diet. JAMA.
1993;269:1635-1636.
Cassileth B. The
Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W. W. Norton
& Co; 1998.
Eisele JW, Reay DT. Deaths related to coffee enemas. JAMA.
1980;244:1608-1609.
Ernst E. Colonic irrigation and the theory of
autointoxication: a triumph of ignorance over science. J Clin Gastroenterol.
1997;24:196-198.
Green S. A critique of the rationale for cancer treatment with
coffee enemas and diet. JAMA.
1992;268:3224-3227.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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