Ask A Healer Detoxing Your Body Series

Colon Cleansing Quick Tips - Side Effects of Colon Cleansing
© Neva J Howell, All Rights Reserved

Related article:
Finding the right detox program

Before undergoing a cleanse to any organ or system of the body, it is good to arrange for time off work.

Starting a cleanse on a Friday evening works well for most who can plan to take Saturday and Sunday fairly easy. Since most detox symptoms are strongest in first three days, you could be over most of any healing crisis by the time you have to return to work on Monday.

Any detox symptoms should abate within 2 to 3 days so starting a cleanse on Friday and taking Monday off, is a good plan.

Changing your diet a few days prior to a cleanse can help tremendously too to reduce cleanse side effects and to promote more healthy stool.

Specifically, do not eat meat, fried foods or heavy foods for a day or two prior to a cleanse but focus on fresh fruits and veggies and drink pure water all day long.

What should you expect
when you undergo a colon cleanse?

Question on healing: Are there any side effects to colon cleansing and does it truly help your health to do a detox?

Healing Facilitation Response: Detoxing is something our body was designed to do on a regular basis so it's not foreign to it. Even though there can be temporary cleanse side effects when detoxing the body, most do not experience detox symptoms that cause any serious problems.

However, when we eat junk foods, knot our gut with stress on a regular basis, don't drink enough water, etc... the colon has more of a load than it can handle. Cleansing can help restore healthy stool and normal eliminatory function.

That's when we need to detox and, depending on the amount of old waste the body has to release, there may be temporary detox symptoms which may include achy joints, flu-like symptoms and fatique. These normally clear out within one to three days and are not exactly side effects from the cleanse products as much as side effects of waste and toxicity releasing from the body.

What causes colon toxicity?
Alternative health care professionals agree that colon congestion most commonly results from:

Parasites

Toxic overload from unhealthy foods, refined foods, white flour products, refined sugar, too much red meat.

Eating on the run or under stress

Lack of good sleep

Lack of nutrients the colon needs to eliminate, primarily fiber and water.

This is why detoxing the body can sometimes bring out toxins thru the skin, resulting in temporary rashes or cause flu-like symptoms as the toxins release thru the eliminatory system. What to expect when you do a colon cleanse

I can never say for sure what a person's reaction to a cleanse will be. Also, I can never say for sure if a person should or should not cleanse, because I am not a doctor and I don't even meet the people I counsel.

I can say that I cleanse regularly and yes, it definitely makes me feel more healthy. I've had some detox symptoms along the way, usually when doing a cleanse after a period of time when I had not been taking care of myself or had been stressed more than normal.

Conversely, during times in my life when I detoxed periodically, to keep toxins from building up, and was dealing with stress better, the detox was far less symptomatic.

Detox symptoms, and even a healing crisis during a cleanse typically lasts one to three days max. The exception would be if there were some chronic, underlying colon problem that might not have been diagnosed, such as IBS, Krohn's, diverticulitis, etc. Reducing your need for a colon cleanse: Of course, you can reduce the chances of colon congestion by practicing alternative health care guidelines for your life:

Greatly reduce or completely eliminate the following, as a really good start to a healthier colon....processed foods, fried foods, white flour products, refined sugar, etc. and upping your pure water intake.

In addition, and equally important, healthy bowel function can be greatly assisted by getting enough good, restful sleep, moderate exercise and using daily stress-busting techniques such as meditation or biofeedback. Foot reflexology is also just excellent for maintaining good bowel movements and healthy stool. I suggest getting a reflexology treatment weekly if constipation or other bowel problems exist.

Health Resource: Colon Cancer Alliance - Colon Cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is the second leading cause of death by cancer. Only lung cancer tops it. This organization has a lot of information, resources, and support for anyone dealing with colorectal cancer. Visit The Colon Alliance for more information.

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Health Care Disclaimer: The information contained in this health care article about the possible side effects of detoxing is not intended to take the place of any needed medical attention. Any cleanse you might undertake, based on the contents found in this article is at your own risk.

It is not suggested that you begin a colon cleanse, if you have any diagnosed bowel problem, before first checking with your doctor . Please consult with your chosen healthcare professional on matters relating to colon health and colon disorders. Detoxing the body is an alternative health care approach to colon toxicity and unhealthy stool and may or may not receive the blessing of your physician.