If you experience digestive or bowel issues that require a professional colonoscopy screening, certain steps are necessary to prepare for this important procedure. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to examine the lining of your bowel, check for any abnormal growths, and analyze its normal function. To ensure the doctor has the best possible view of your bowel’s condition during the examination, you need to select an effective colon cleansing method for colonoscopy preparation.
Frequently, doctors prescribe medications to cleanse the bowel before a colonoscopy, such as:
- Laxatives to stimulate movement of the bowels
- Stool softeners to help empty the colon
- Bottles of liquid laxatives
Although stimulant laxatives are effective for evacuating the bowels of fecal matter, they can cause painful abdominal cramps in those sensitive to these harsh chemicals. Certain laxative preparations can affect the delicate smooth muscle of the bowel and disrupt its natural balance. Consequently, individuals using chemical colon cleansing for colonoscopy preparation may experience excessive gas and uncomfortable bloating. Additionally, stool softeners and laxatives may cause side effects such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn and throat discomfort
- Explosive diarrhea
- Rectal burning and pain
- Unpredictable results
Choosing Hydrotherapy for Natural Colon Cleansing
Fortunately, an excellent alternative to chemical laxatives is colon hydrotherapy. As a drug-free method for colon cleansing in colonoscopy preparation, hydrotherapy can eliminate the discomfort associated with chemically induced bowel cleansing and provide predictable results. By using water to gently rinse the bowel clean of waste and toxins, hydrotherapy maintains the delicate balance of the bowel and body without the side effects that may occur with chemical laxatives. Warm water stimulates the natural contractions of the bowel and encourages normal evacuation. Hydrotherapy does not cause the lingering effects of medications or stool softeners. Other benefits of colon hydrotherapy include:
- Little or no abdominal cramping
- No disruption of the natural PH balance
- No heartburn, nausea or indigestion
- No need for stimulants or stool softeners
- Less time consuming than chemical laxatives
Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy
If your digestive system is sensitive to the effects of harsh chemical laxatives, and you require a colon cleansing for colonoscopy screening, ask your doctor if colon hydrotherapy is the right choice for you. As a natural alternative to a chemical pre-cleansing, hydrotherapy may provide a much healthier option that offers comfort and convenience.
Source: Colonic Irrigation as a Non-oral, Same-Day Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy: Efficacy, Safety, and Patient Satisfaction – American Journal of Gastroenterology
