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The colon, also known as the large intestine, is responsible for absorbing salts and water from partly digested food and subsequently eliminating it from the body. However, with improper lifestyle and habits, poor diet or exposure to toxins, the colon loses its intrinsic ability to pass waste. This is when cleansing your colon assumes importance as external aid becomes necessary in such cases.
Laxatives and How They Work
Laxatives are one of the most common ways to cleanse the colon. Most drug stores have medicines available over the counter. While laxatives are beneficial in offering temporary relief, the dosage has to be increased with the passage of time because the body grows immune to it and starts relying on a regular dose of laxative for a regular bowel movement. It is important to note that cleansing your colon with laxatives can make a person habituated to it. Mild constipation can be treated with lifestyle and dietary changes. However, when both these remedies fail to work, laxatives maybe prescribed by the physician.
Laxatives can work in a number of ways, these can include: making the stool softer, stimulating muscular contractions, lubricating the intestine to assist in removing waste, aiding in removing constipation and enhancing the functioning of the bowels by helping the body to produce serotonin.
Lifestyle Changes
Cleansing your colon can also entail making dietary and lifestyle changes such as the incorporation of more fibers in food, drinking more water and fluids throughout the day, staying away from caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee and avoiding carbonated drinks and alcohol. A person should also include more exercise into their daily schedule to enhance the functioning of the digestive tract and colon. In the case of medicine-induced constipation, such as anti-Parkinson drugs, medications for blood pressure, pain medications, antacids, diuretics, antispasmodics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants etc., it is essential to consult with the physician as to the possible remedy in such cases. In some individuals, dairy products and milk can result in constipation. Hence, avoiding such foods until the problem is resolved should help.
Enemas
Another great way for cleansing your colon is to use enemas. In the case of severe constipation or improper colon functioning, the physician might recommend a combination of enemas and mineral oil consumption to soften stool output. There is a procedure known as high colonic type of irrigation, whereby a modified nozzle of a hose is inserted inside the rectum. This is then followed by alternate bouts of pumping water in and out of the system. This treatment is said to thoroughly cleanse the colon of all impurities and toxins, although it is predominantly looked upon as a high-end kind of treatment by physicians.
Whether an individual chooses enemas, cleansing products, better food habits or laxatives to solve the problem, cleansing your colon is important because it helps to get rid of toxins and results in a healthier body.
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