Colon therapy and enemas.

[skybirdrising]

I came across an article the other day that exclaimed that every one of us carry an average of 7-8 pounds of impacted fecal matter within us. Some of the subjects noted within the article had went to a health retreat where there was extensive colon irrigation done. A marble was dispelled from a patient who claimed he had swallowed it as a child and now he was in his mid-forties. Is this possible or is it another medical myth?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

The claims that the high colonics improve health and detoxify the body haven't been substantiated with research and isn't accepted by the mainstream medical establishment.

I think kind of like Steph. That the body is designed to rid itself of wastes just fine.

I work with someone who gets one once and week and swears she's the better for it. She told me "you haven't lived until you've had one of these".

There is a physchological feeling of well being in deficating, in ridding yourself of waste. I worked with a CNA that would tell the patients after they had a good one, "ain't nothing like a good dump. Don't you feel better."

Face it. It's true. Ain't nothing like a good dump.

[Rapheal]

This is an interesting thread. I remember learning in nursing school that the E. coli bacteria that we harbor in our intestinal tracts benefits us by producing vitamin K as a byproduct of it digesting our fecal matter. So perhaps a squeaky clean colon is not a good thing to have - at least not for long.

This also made me ponder our regular GI consulting doctor. He is moody, morose and uptight. I wonder if he needs colonic relief. Anyways---- have a nice day.

[adrienurse, LPN]

I still wanna know what all these "toxins" are.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

I've never seen it called Colyte...at least not at the hospital where I am a tech. I was taught GoLytely in nursing school, and have seen big old jugs labeled GoLytely on pts bedside tables. Maybe it's a regional thing?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

It's available from many different companies and with numerous names but is a gallon of nasty stuff.....I don't know why they insist on continuing to use it-our geriatric residents can't consume that much liquid...