The Detox Lounge has compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about colon therapy and related topics. This information has been gathered from a variety of resources believed to be reliable, and we offer it to you with the understanding that it not be interpreted as medical or professional advice.

All medical information needs to be carefully reviewed by your health provider. This information is intended as an education guide only.

1. What is the LIBBE system?
2. What is the difference between a gravity fed/open system and a closed system?
3. Who needs colon hydrotherapy?
4. Do you know? (Factual statistics about the colon).
5. What are the therapeutic effects of colon hydrotherapy?
6. How does a colonic session work and what should I expect?
7. How will I know that I have reached my goal?
8. Is colon hydrotherapy painful?
9. Will I experience any intestinal discomfort or fatigue after the cleanse?
10. Do I need colon hydrotherapy if I have diarrhea?
11. Can I have a colon hydrotherapy session if I am menstruating?
12. Can colon hydrotherapy affect the balance of flora or the “good” bacteria in the colon?
13. Does colon hydrotherapy affect the balance of electrolytes?
14. How does a colon hydrotherapy treatment compare to an enema?
15. Is colon hydrotherapy safe for everyone?
16. Do I need colon hydrotherapy treatments if I have regular bowel movements?
17. What is mucoid plaque?
18. What are the dangers of mucoid plaque?
19. Can colon hydrotherapy help with weight loss?
20. How much of the intestines are actually cleansed out during a session?
21. Is there a possibility of contamination from prior use of the colon Hydrotherapy equipment?
22. Are colonics covered by insurance?

^01: What is the LIBBE system?

^01:

LIBBE "Lower Intestinal Bottom Bowel Evacuation"   An FDA APPROVED durable one-piece fiberglass seat base system. Gravity- fed water system, also known as the “open system” Employs both carbon and ultraviolet filters, purifying the water of bacteria, as well as other harmful chemicals and pollutants. There is no pressure in the flow of water, resulting in a gentle cleanse. The temperature can be controlled for maximum comfort and benefit. Three check valves to prevent toxins from returning to water supply No leaks, no odors and no blowouts. Safe, private and effective.

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^02: What is the difference between a gravity-fed open system and a close system?

^02: 

Open System   The rectal nozzle or tube is the size of #2 pencil in diameter. The clients do their own insertion in private. There is no risk for the rectal nozzle to blowout because the client pushes out the water and feces in an open basin and not into a tube. The client can urinate on the table because it’s like a toilet seat. The client is covered at all times and his/her privacy and modesty is honored. The therapist does not stay in the room the entire session. A built in Odor Exhaust System that insures the area remains odor free. Close System The rectal nozzle or tube is 1½ inch in diameter. The therapist has to insert the rectal nozzle for the client. The therapist has to turn off the water flow and open the out flow valve so that feces can come back through the tube. There is a chance of leaking if there is too much feces at one time causing fecal matter to end up on the table. The therapist has to hold the tube at all times and therefore cannot leave the room. The client is exposed to the therapist from the waist down. Odor may be noticeable especially if clients pass gas during the session.

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^03: Who needs colon hydrotherapy?

^03:

Sadly, the average American does not have a healthy colon. The typical American diet consisting of high fat, low- fiber, refined sugar, bleached flour, and processed food high in preservatives and toxins is the primary reason the colon becomes so unhealthy. As these unnatural foods move through the colon, fluids are absorbed during the digestive process, and a very sticky waste is created. This waste clings to the colon walls and putrefies, giving off toxins. These toxins that are generated from the accumulated waste matter, when absorbed from within the body’s digestive system and into your blood stream, can negatively affect your physical, mental and emotional health, leading to very serious weight and health problems.

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^04: Do you know? (Factual statistics about the colon)?

^04:

	Today, the most common health complaints are disease and functional disturbances of the digestive organs. Approximately 90% of all visits to the emergency room deal with digestive issues.
	According to the FDA, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is second only to the common cold in causing days missed from work, and it may affect up to 20 percent of Americans – some 54 million people.
	Americans spend $725 million on laxatives each year.
	In recent years, an estimated 130,000 new cases of colon and rectal cancer will be diagnosed. Of this population, approximately 44% will die as a result of the disease.
	Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States.
	At least two million Americans suffer colon related diseases and approximately 100,000 colostomy surgeries are performed each year.
	The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease has reached almost epidemic proportions. In the last decade alone, a 300% rise in middle-aged patients with ileostomy and total colostomy was seen.
	Many experts now believe that the average person has 5 to 20 pounds of accumulated waste in their colon, contributing to major weight gain.
	In the January 11, 1999 issue of USA Today “It‘s said that according to the autopsy, John Wayne had 40 pounds of impacted fecal matter in his body at death. Elvis reportedly had 60 pounds.”
	It is estimated that 200 million people worldwide are infested by intestinal parasites. Parasites kill more people annually than do cancers.
	Chronic debilitating malfunctional bowel disorders afflict more than 20 million North Americans, and are one of the leading causes of hospitalization.
	Vegetarian Times on March 3, 1998 reported, “Of all the polite topics of conversation, the state of one’s intestines is probably at the bottom of most people’s lists. Let’s face it: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, gas, diverticulosis, colon cancer are simply not things we like to discuss. And yet, as the old expression goes, death begins in the colon. Don’t believe it? Ask any coroner, autopsies often reveal colons that are plugged up to 80% with waste material.”

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^05: What are the therapeutic effects of colon hydrotherapy?

^05:

	Colon hydrotherapy has an antiseptic and solvent action on the intestines, putrefactive material, impacted fecal matter and other toxins are removed from the colon.
	Colon Hydrotherapy increases the water level and diuretic action of the body. Water is absorbed into the body, which increases the volume of the blood, increasing circulation, resulting in greater bathing of the individual cells, thus diluting toxins and flushing them out and increasing elimination both through the kidneys and skin as well as the bowel.
	Reshapes – over time, the natural shape may become distorted, which may cause more colon problems. After a series of colonics, the colon will begin to regain its shape.
	Cleanses and balances the colon – toxic material is broken down and released so it can no longer harm your body or inhibit assimilation or elimination. Impaction is removed and stagnation is reduced.
	Aids in removing parasites, internal gas and cellular debris
	Improves muscle tone – the build up of toxic debris weakens the colon and impairs its function. The gentle infusion of water, combined with the emptying of the colon, causes peristaltic activity, the natural movement of the bowels.
	Hydrating the colon can improve the lymphatic system since the human body does not have a pump for that system.

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^06: How does a colonic session work and what should I expect?

^06:

When you arrive for your first visit, you will be asked to fill out a personal health questionnaire and sign few forms. At this time, you and your therapist will discuss your current health condition, your goals for your health, and what you hope to accomplish from colon hydrotherapy. This process may take 30 minutes.

Once that is completed, we will guide you to the colon hydrotherapy room and instruct you on how to prepare yourself. In private, you will undress from the waist down and position yourself comfortably on the LIBBE base. You would gently and easily insert the lubricated rectal tube into your rectum, just past the second sphincter muscle, about two inches.  This LIBBE rectal tube is individually packaged, sterile and disposable.  Once you have inserted the tube, you cover yourself with the sheet provided and lean back on the table. You will ring the therapist when you are ready or if you have any questions.

The therapist will enter the room and check the water temperature and begin the flow of the water. Once the flow is turned on, there is no need to interrupt it to release. When you feel the urge to release, the rectal tube will stay inserted. It will move to one side inside the rectum and allow the softened feces to flow out, down the drain and into the base of the LIBBE, passing through a two -inch diameter clear viewing tube. An Odor Exhaust System insures the area remains odor free.

You can have as much privacy as you desire. The therapist will check on you often, and you may ring for her at any time you need help or have questions. The session will take approximately 45 minutes.

At the end of the session, the therapist will stop the flow of the water and give you instructions on how to clean yourself and get off the table. She will then leave the room and give you the privacy you need. An electrolyte mix and a hot herbal tea will be ready for you to enjoy in the reception room while relaxing.

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^07: How will I know that I have reached my goal?

^07: 

	You will be able to have two to three bowel movements a day, each day.
	No more constipation.
	The feces will be released without strains and pain.
	You will feel that you emptied completely.
	No more bloating and gas.
	No foul odor to the feces.
	The feces break up easily when flushing the toilet.

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^08: Is colon hydrotherapy painful?

^08:

An impacted colon may cause some discomfort and cramp-ing. This generally occurs as the colon contract to expel waste due to impaction. Once the major impaction is removed, many people report relief of problems. Their vitality and energy levels are restored, and they report the sessions to be relaxing, pleasant and effective.

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^09: Will I experience any intestinal discomfort or fatigue after the cleanse?

^09: 

The cleansing will stir up a lot of old debris and toxins. It is possible that you would experience chills, some minor nausea and/or fatigue. It is recommended to rest and apply a warm heating pad to the abdomen. A mild vegetable broth or peppermint tea can be very soothing. Any discomfort is temporary and will usually pass within 24 hours.

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^10: Do I need colon hydrotherapy if I have diarrhea?

^10: 

Diarrhea is basically a condition that stems from intestinal irritation. There are many reasons that bring about this irritation in the intestinal tract, such as, incomplete digestion of food, use of antibiotics, food poisoning, food allergies, fecal impaction, parasites, and bacterial toxins. Colon hydrotherapy assists the body in ridding itself from toxins in the colon that are causing the irritation.

Chronic diarrhea is often caused by bowel disease, and it is highly recommended that you check with your primary physician.

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^11: Can I have a colon hydrotherapy session if I am menstruating?

^11: 

It is absolutely safe to have a colonic during your period. Your flow will not interfere with the success of the treatment. Clients report a decrease in cramping, which normally accompanies menstruation.

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^12: Can colon hydrotherapy affect the balance of flora or the “good” bacteria in the colon?

^12: 

Our gastrointestinal tract contains billions of live bacteria, some are bad and some are good. In a healthy person, there is a ratio of approximately 80-85% combined good and neutral bacteria to 15-20%. In many people today, this ratio is reversed.

Friendly flora does not usually predominate in colons that have old waste stuck to their walls. Colon hydrotherapy, therefore, washes out not only the bad flora, but also the environment in which it grows. Then the good flora has the ability to thrive in a clean environment. It is recommended to use probiotics but not because the treatment washes out “friendly” intestinal flora, but because it helps to improve the bacterial balance in the colon.

By request only.  Probiotics can be introduced back into the colon at the end of the session. Probiotics are also available at most health food stores and is highly recommended subsequent to colon cleansing. It is especially beneficial subsequent to a colon cleansing.

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^13: Does colon hydrotherapy affect the balance of electrolytes?

^13: 

Electrolytes are mineral salts that are capable of carrying an electrical charge that is necessary for the body to maintain a healthy balance. Colon hydrotherapy hydrates the body. The water that is washed out of the colon during the therapy is not pulled out from the body’s system and diluting the electrolytes. There is some mineral loss during the colonic session, no more or less than you would eliminate with regular bowel movements. This elimination of minerals is easily replaced with a healthy meal. We also provide you with an electrolytes mix to drink at the end of the session.

In the study “Effects of Colon Hydrotherapy on Serum Electrolytes” done in 1989 and conducted by National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, Oregon, NO patients experienced any significant symptoms or disturbances.

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^14: How does a colon hydrotherapy treatment compare to an enema?

^14: 

	Enema involves one time injection/evacuation; colon hydrotherapy is a controlled continual bathing and releasing for cleansing and therapeutic purposes.
	An enema only reaches the rectum and lower part of the colon, approximately 7 inches, whereas with Colon hydrotherapy, the entire length of the colon is reached, approximately 5 ½ to 6 feet.

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^15: Is colon hydrotherapy safe for everyone?

^15: 

Unless you have a prescription from the doctor, Colon Hydrotherapy should not be administered if you are diagnosed with diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, severe hemorrhoids, rectal or intestinal tumors, and severe anemia. Also, colon hydrotherapy is not administered if you are diagnosed with aneurysm, congestive heart failure, hypertension, cirrhosis and colon cancer. Colon hydrotherapy is contraindicated during the first and last trimester of the pregnancy, and clients should wait a minimum of 6 weeks after abdominal surgery. A colonic may be administered just before birth if the client would prefer that to the enema.

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^16: Do I need colon hydrotherapy treatments if I have regular bowel movements?

^16: 

A person with a healthy and well functioning colon will have 2 to 3 bowel movements per day, shortly after each meal taken. Elimination should be complete and easy. The stool should be light brown in color, long and large diameter. There should be no offensive odor and it should break apart with toilet flushing. Unfortunately in this society, it is very rare to find people who could describe elimination in the same manner. For many people, the signs of a colon dysfunction are so much a part of their daily living experience. They believe eliminating once a day or once every few days is normal, and they don’t suspect that their health is in danger

We live in a society that is overloaded with chemicals, toxins, air pollutants and radiation. In addition, by eating certain foods, we expose ourselves to processed and de-mineralized materials, herbicides, pesticides, food colorings and preservatives.

Toxins first build up in the bowel and when the bowel becomes toxic, it contaminates the blood, which, in turn, spreads the toxins to the heart, lungs, brain, muscles, etc. as it is delivering nutrients throughout the body.

Overall, cleansing allows you to remove accumulated mucoid plaque in order to rebuild your bowel and your liver and protect yourself from disease. It is also recommended as a good way to deter oncoming cold and/or flu symptoms.

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^17: What is mucoid plaque?

^17: 

Toxins first build up in the body as a result of eating too many foods that are acidic, such as, sugar, caffeine, white flour and alcohol. When the bowel becomes unnaturally acidic, it attempts to protect itself by secreting a mucus substance that lines the entire intestinal wall. In healthy bodies, pancreatic enzymes strip the mucus off the intestinal membranes within a few days and digestion returns to normal.

However, most people ingest decaying foods and stimulants every day. This causes layer upon layer of mucus to be secreted into the digestive tract. The pancreas in unable to keep up with the body’s demand for removing the mucus layers and they eventually become so thick that peristaltic action is inhibited.

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^18: What are the dangers of mucoid plaque?

^18: 

	Slower transit time.
	Bacteria in the intestines begin to ferment this stagnant food, causing gas and bloating.
	Undigested, fermenting waste becomes sticky, and when it passes through the colon, part of it adheres to the walls, creating layer after layer of tough, glue-like feces that cannot be removed by peristalsis. Feces become dehydrated, leading to constipation.
	Feces become trapped in the pockets along the length of the colon wall, known as diverticuli, which can result in stagnation, infection, and inflammation (diverticulitis).
	The toxic process can also lead to colitis or irritable bowel syndrome, and can even contribute to colon cancer.

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^19: Can colon hydrotherapy help with weight loss?

^19: 

A classic sign of colon toxicity in men and women is their potbelly. This condition may be very simple to correct by adopting an improved health regimen. However, a distended abdomen may indicate a more serious problem and the presence of fecal ball in the colon, which gathers more, and more coatings the longer it remains.

You probably did not know that the average person, who is at “normal” overweight for their height and age, might have 10 to 25 pounds of dried fecal matter in their colon. “Virtually all weight challenges can be traced to imbalances in the colon/digestive tract as a primary contributor.”

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^20: How much of the intestines are actually cleansed out during a session?

^20: 

It is possible that the full length of the colon or large intestine be cleansed with colon hydrotherapy. In order to achieve this depth of cleanse, many sessions will be required. The small intestines are not involved in a colon hydrotherapy treatment. However, it is highly recommended that the small intestines are cleansed as well and mucoid plaque is removed. This can be achieved with the help of herbs and/or enzymes taken orally.

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^21: Is there a possibility of contamination from prior use of the colon Hydrotherapy equipment?

^21: 

There is absolutely no danger of contamination if the LIBBE is properly tended. We use sterile, disposable hoses and tubes. These disposables are used only once during a single therapy session. Great care and detailing goes into cleaning the table after each and every client. We use EPA Registered broad spectrum germicide, disinfectant and cleaner. The carbon filter for de-chlorination is frequently changed, and very detailed cleansing of the whole system and pipes is administered once a month.

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^22: Are colonics covered by insurance?

^22: 

Depending on the type of coverage you have, there are situations that your primary physician can prescribe them. In this case, you will pay the full amount due to The Detox Lounge, and we will give you an invoice to turn in to your insurance for reimbursement.

Learn about insurance eligibility and codes.