Health & Balance

Colon Cleansing May Be Risky, Study Finds

Colon Cleansing: Industry View

Colon hydrotherapists who are members of the IACT use equipment that is classified by the FDA as a class II medical device, Hoenninger says. "It is to be used when medically indicated, such as before radiological or endoscopic examinations," he says.

"Constipation may be one of the medically indicated conditions," he says, with a prescription from a health care provider.

Colon Cleansing: Perspective

"I don't agree there are no benefits,'' says Jamey Wallace, ND, clinic medical director for Bastyr Center for Natural Health of Bastyr University in Seattle.

"If someone is constipated and they have no other medical diagnosis, it can be very helpful," he tells WebMD. He reviewed the study but was not involved in it. He says it can improve bowel function.

Certain people should not consider hydrotherapy, he says. Among them are people with colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, and other bowel problems, he says.

"If a patient is interested in a colonic irrigation they should first see a physician to make sure there are not health concerns that should be addressed medically," he says.