The harmful effects of enemas for detoxification.

Recently, Bach Mai Hospital ( Hanoi ) received an emergency case of rectal rupture due to detoxification using coffee enemas. The patient, a 38-year-old woman, had undergone coffee enemas three times at a private clinic, each time spaced one week apart. On the third occasion, during the procedure, the patient experienced severe lower abdominal pain accompanied by rectal bleeding. At Bach Mai Hospital, the patient was found to have a rupture of the lower third of the rectum causing a retroperitoneal abscess, and underwent emergency surgery and colostomy.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, increasing fiber intake, and drinking water helps promote a healthier digestive system.

The doctor noted that the patient, who was previously a healthy individual, had to endure two major surgeries simply because they believed unfounded advertisements on social media, significantly impacting their current and future health.

UNDERSTANDING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM CORRECTLY

According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Khiem, Department of Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary, and Pancreatic Surgery, Bach Mai Hospital, the digestive system or gastrointestinal tract helps break down and absorb food to provide energy for the body. The digestive tract begins at the mouth, passes through the esophagus, stomach, and then to the small and large intestines. The digestive system helps eliminate waste products from food and drink. The elimination process involves the large intestine, also known as the colon or colon, ending at the rectum. The large intestine, nearly 2 meters long, is home to trillions of bacteria, forming a microbiome whose main function is to break down food.

Additionally, the large intestine absorbs electrolytes, water, and nutrients, including vitamin K and other fat-soluble vitamins. After the food has been "squeezed" to remove nutrients and water, only the waste material (feces) remains, which moves through the large intestine to the final section called the rectum – where special sensors with sufficient pressure will provide a signal to defecate when the volume of stool is large enough.

The microbiome in the digestive system is also an essential part of the immune system and overall health.

Enemas do not cleanse the body.

Based on clinical experience, doctors warn that a popular trend is currently using coffee enemas to cleanse the colon of impurities, bacteria, and accumulated waste. Doctors assert that there is no scientific evidence to prove the effectiveness of this enemas. The colon and other digestive tract structures already have an effective self-cleaning function – which is why the digestive process produces waste (feces).

The doctor further noted: A normal colon will naturally cleanse itself. Typically, the process of digesting and eliminating food takes about 3 days. This process is called transit time. It allows food to be thoroughly digested, with all proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water, vitamins, and minerals being extracted, used, or stored.

When bowel transit time is affected, it can cause several conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Some syndromes can affect the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroparesis (the stomach takes too long to empty), indigestion, and bloating.

Additionally, many people may suffer from chronic constipation (a condition where bowel movements are not frequent enough: about 3 times or fewer per week). Because water is absorbed in the large intestine, the longer stool remains in the large intestine, the more water is drawn out, making the stool drier and more difficult to pass, requiring straining during bowel movements, which can lead to hemorrhoids and bleeding.

Colon cleansing (enema) can be done by taking laxatives orally or by directly irrigating the colon through the rectum. However, enemas must be prescribed by a doctor, in certain cases such as: constipation (when other constipation treatments are ineffective or in certain conditions like megacolon); enemas for barium enema imaging; cleansing before endoscopy or surgery, etc.

Colonic lavage requires a sterile environment, proper tools and equipment, and fluids that meet hygiene, temperature, and non-irritating standards. Unlicensed medical facilities or those that do not follow the correct procedures may introduce harmful bacteria into the patient's digestive tract. Furthermore, the fluids released during colonic lavage can wash away healthy gut bacteria from the large intestine.

The most dangerous risk during an enema is perforating the bowel while inserting the irrigation tube through the anus into the rectum. Early symptoms of bowel perforation include pain, fever, chills, and nausea. Bowel perforation is a medical emergency and can be fatal.

There are many better approaches to sustainable and healthy weight loss, such as: eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing fiber and water intake, getting 6-8 hours of sleep at night, and exercising for at least 150 minutes per week. A healthy lifestyle will lead to a healthier digestive system.

Rectal enemas are not a medical method for weight loss. Calories are primarily absorbed in the small intestine, while enemas only cleanse the large intestine and do not contribute to weight loss. Coffee enemas carry many confirmed serious risks, including dehydration and electrolyte imbalance; burns, ulcers, rectal tears, colonic strictures, and sepsis, leading to emergency hospitalization and surgery.

(Source: Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Bach Mai Hospital)

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