Electrolyte imbalance
One of the most critical and high risk complications that can arise from the colon cleansing procedure is that the person who undergoes the treatment may go onto suffer electrolyte imbalances within their body.
The purpose of electrolytes
Electrolytes play a very essential role in the maintenance of health and even fundamental existence for it is these solutions that will be directly responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis within the body. Specifically, the electrolytes will be responsible for the maintenance of the razor thin balance between intra and extra cellular milieu.
Risks and effects of electrolyte imbalance
Disproportionate measurements on either end of the scale can result in a multitude of adverse and severe conditions. For example, the pH rating the blood circulated around the body can increase or decrease; resulting in copious amounts of metabolized energy being expended upon the removal of the waste by products produced as a consequence of such an interaction.
From such an unfortunate outcome, essential processes within the body such as the immune system’s ability to produce white and red blood cells would be severely impaired as well as inhibited resulting in the victim acquiring a multitude of auto-immune deficiency related disorders that are opportunistic viruses.
Risks and effects of electrolyte imbalance on cardiovascular system
Of particular concern is the effect that the electrolyte imbalances will have on the cardiovascular system of the body and more in particular; the heart itself. Because of the fluctuating amounts of the electrolyte elements, such as sodium or potassium this will have an adverse and capricious effect upon the heart muscles causing irregular contractions in the cardiac muscles.
As a consequence, hypotension is another of the potential consequences attributed to and associated with the colon cleansing procedure; as is extreme fatigue. The reason that extreme fatigue can be experienced after the colon cleansing procedure is due to the fact that the imbalance of electrolytes will in effect; constrict the arteries and veins that are present. In addition, the acidity of the blood will cause to clot and thicken meaning that it will not be as proficient or capable of carrying oxygen around the body.
The reduction in the level of available oxygen forces additional pressure upon the cardiovascular system which in turn has the effect of compelling the lungs to work faster to draw limited amounts of air. It is for these reasons that dizziness and a sensation of light-headedness are also potential side effects that maybe experienced after the colon cleansing procedure.
Because of the aforementioned problems and potential complications; the following is a list of absolute contraindications for the usage of colon cleansing procedures.
- History of heart failure
- Renal failure or recipient of kidney transplant
- Diabetes
- Extreme obesity
Infection
Parasitical infection (Entamoeba histolytica)
Like any other form of invasive procedure (whereby foreign objects are inserted into cavities of the body) it is essential that any and all instruments utilized during the course of the procedure are thoroughly and properly sterilized in order to reduce and act as a safeguard against the possibility of infection setting in.
However, it is worth noting that one of the associated risks of the colon irrigation procedure is that the person undergoing the procedure may suffer an amoebic infection and in particular, the bacterial parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
Effects of the Entamoeba histolytica infection
Although not typically life-threatening the potential complications that can and will arise from the presence of this infection are cause for concern; and according to medical literature, an estimated 16% of all reported cases of people infected with the parasite will go onto develop severe ulceration within the digestive tract.
The parasite is also capable of travelling around the body and in effect; infusing itself with the soft tissues of the body. Most troubling of all is the propensity on the part of the parasite to attack the liver; causing a build-up of toxins and further compounding the electrolyte imbalance problem.
Gastrointestinal perforation
Definition
Gastrointestinal perforation is the term used to describe the puncturing or penetrating of the walls found within the gastrointestinal system of the body which includes the stomach and small intestine.
Risks and effects
The reason that gastrointestinal perforation is such a concern is due to that the food matter that is currently lying dormant within the small intestine pending further absorption and digestion will then be allowed to move uninhibited to the cavity of the abdomen. This in turn will runs the risk of a multitude of different types of contamination to take place.
One of these forms of contamination is known as Peritonitis and, if left treated is almost guaranteed to result in the untimely and painful death of the victim which means that if a person is diagnosed as suffering from the condition; surgical intervention is a medical necessity. Unfortunately the mortality rate associated with the surgical procedure utilised to combat the spread of the peritonitis condition is rather high; even in the ideal patient, the risk of mortality lies at the 10% mark.
For patients who are already suffering from underlying health complaints such as Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) will have a much higher degree of mortality associated with the procedure and this rises by an exponential rate to 40%.
Interference with the intestinal ecosystem
The intestinal tract is an ecosystem of sorts by virtue of the fact that it happens to be the home of many different types of bacteria and some of this bacteria, collectively known as probiotics; are helpful bacteria that play a pivotal role in the digestion process. In addition, they also help to stave off auto-immune related infection as well as diarrhoea that has been caused as a direct consequence of antibody agents.
Due to the fact that colon cleansing is an enema of sorts; this means that practitioners who offer such services will prescribe and recommend that the applicant makes use of acidophilus to help restore the balance of the probiotic bodies.
Remember; colon cleansing is never a necessary procedure as our body is more than capable of achieving results by itself.