“My book club seems to mostly discuss things other than the books we’ve read, but lately we’ve been talking about colon cleanses and health enemas. This is something I’d never thought about, but it seems like a lot of the women in my group are using these as part of their regular health and wellness routine. Is this something I should be doing, and if so, how do I know of a reputable place to go?”
Response from Professor Reza Kalbassi, Consultant in Colorectal, General and Minimally Invasive Surgery and Clinical Lead for Endoscopy at Beacon Hospital.
The use and benefits of regular colon cleansing and health enemas are controversial. Most doctors do not recommend colon cleansing and health enemas. Intestinal health can be achieved by increasing fluid intake by up to 2 liters per day and improving diet. The daily diet should include plenty of high-fiber foods, including whole grain bread and fruit in several servings. Avoid processed foods and reduce red meat intake. Exercise and activity are encouraged. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to intestinal problems such as functional bowel disorders.
Chronic constipation or difficulty in passing stool, or obstructed defecation syndrome, is particularly common in women. Some patients with these symptoms may try colon cleansing for relief. These symptoms often accompany childbirth, multiple births and difficult births. They are less common in men. Patients with bowel problems accompanied by symptoms of difficulty in passing stool or difficulty in passing stool should consult their GP for early referral to a pelvic floor centre for specialist consultation.
Patients undergo a careful and thorough evaluation, including a colonoscopy (i.e. “camera”). If severe symptoms such as polyps or possible colon tumors are found, they are referred for urgent treatment by a colorectal surgeon or multidisciplinary team. For patients with benign findings and symptoms of difficulty and incomplete bowel movements, dietary modification and pelvic floor physical therapy often improve and resolve symptoms. In a small number of patients, an MRI pelvic floor scan may identify a pelvic organ prolapse, such as an internal or external rectal prolapse, and surgery may need to be considered. This will be performed by a specialist colorectal surgeon with an interest and experience in pelvic floor surgery.
The most important aspects of gut health are a good, high fibre diet, plenty of fluids and daily exercise. Chronic constipation, difficulty or incomplete elimination should be treated by a medical professional and early treatment will lead to better outcomes and a better quality of life.
Have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Get in touch with sarah.gill@image.ie with the subject line ‘Ask a Doctor’
