Clicky

NewLifeWellnessCenter.com

Where wellness and prevention is the key to good health!

by on

Digestive Symptoms and Wellness Services: Questions to Ask Before You Book

By NewLifeWellnessCenter.com Editorial Team

Short answer: Some digestive symptoms need a medical assessment before you book any wellness service. For diarrhea, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says to talk with a doctor right away if you have signs such as blood or pus in your stool, black and tarry stools, severe belly or rectal pain, frequent vomiting, a change in mental state, or dehydration. For adults, it adds diarrhea lasting more than 2 days, a high fever, or six or more loose stools a day. This article covers diarrhea warning signs only. For other digestive symptoms, ask a clinician.

Separately, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) reports limited clinical evidence for colonic irrigation (also called colon hydrotherapy) and not enough evidence for the uses it is recommended for. It also notes that side effects can be serious. If you still want to book after talking with your health care provider, the checklist below gives you the questions to ask first.

Where colon hydrotherapy fits in the “cleanse” world

NCCIH groups colon hydrotherapy with other “detox” or “cleanse” approaches, including fasting, juice-only diets, laxatives, and enemas (NCCIH: “Detoxes” and “Cleanses”). Studies of detox programs in people are few and of low quality. A 2015 review that NCCIH cites found no compelling research supporting detox diets for weight management or removing toxins.

NCCIH also says the FDA and FTC have acted against several companies selling detox or cleansing products. The reasons included hidden ingredients, false claims about treating serious diseases, and, for colon-cleansing medical devices, marketing for unapproved uses. None of this means every provider is unsafe. It does mean that questions about claims and equipment are fair.

Who should be extra careful

According to NCCIH, harmful effects of colon cleansing are more likely in people with a history of:

  • gastrointestinal (digestive tract) disease
  • colon surgery
  • severe hemorrhoids
  • kidney disease
  • heart disease

If any of these apply to you, talk with your doctor before booking. Say so plainly on any intake form, too.

Symptom red flags: get medical help first

NIDDK describes diarrhea as loose, watery stools three or more times a day, or more often than is normal for you. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malabsorption (trouble absorbing nutrients). The warning signs below come from NIDDK's guidance on diarrhea. Other digestive symptoms have their own warning signs that this article does not cover, so a clinician is the right person to ask.

Talk with a doctor right away if you have:

  • a change in mental state, such as irritability or lack of energy
  • frequent vomiting
  • severe pain in the abdomen or rectum
  • black, tarry stools, or stools with red blood or pus
  • symptoms of dehydration: extreme thirst or dry mouth, urinating less than usual, dark urine, feeling tired, dizzy, or lightheaded, or sunken eyes or cheeks

For adults, NIDDK adds:

  • diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
  • a high fever
  • six or more loose stools per day

NIDDK says people who are pregnant, over 65, taking antibiotics, or living with a weakened immune system are more likely to have problems from diarrhea and should stay in touch with their doctor. For infants and children, the thresholds are lower, and NIDDK advises calling a doctor for advice without hesitation.

If your diarrhea keeps coming back

NIDDK notes that if diarrhea lasts less than 7 days, a doctor typically won't need to find the cause. If it lasts longer, or comes with other symptoms, a doctor may use your history, a physical exam, or tests to find out why. Chronic diarrhea has many possible causes, including infections, food allergies and intolerances, medicine side effects, and conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. NIDDK also lists weight loss as a symptom of chronic diarrhea.

That is why a diagnosis comes before any wellness service. If you want to read more about this specific question on our site, see our earlier page on colonic hydrotherapy and chronic diarrhea. Read any benefit claims there alongside NCCIH's finding that the evidence is limited.

The booking-question checklist

Ask these before you pay or book. Look for clear, willing answers, ideally in writing. Vague answers or a rush to book are not.

About your health

  • Have I talked with my own doctor about my symptoms and about this service?
  • Does your intake form ask about digestive disease, past colon surgery, hemorrhoids, kidney disease, heart disease, pregnancy, and my medicines?
  • Who reviews my answers, and what would make you decline to treat me?

About training and scope

  • What training do you have for this service, and who provided it?
  • Do you hold a license or certification? If so, which organization issued it? You can confirm this with the issuer or any licensing body they name.
  • Are you a medical professional, or is this a wellness service outside medical care?
  • Will you tell me what this service can and cannot do for my symptoms?

About sanitation and equipment

  • Which parts are single-use and thrown away after each client?
  • Which parts are reused, and how do you clean them between clients?
  • What equipment do you use, and what is it approved or cleared for? Can I have the device name to look up?
  • What is added to the water or the session (such as coffee, herbs, or probiotics), and who decides?

About safety during the session

  • Can I stop at any time, for any reason, with no penalty?
  • What will you do if I feel faint, cramping, or pain?
  • Will anyone be monitoring me throughout?

About emergencies and aftercare

  • What is your emergency plan, and how quickly can you reach emergency services?
  • What symptoms after a session should make me call a doctor, and how do I reach you?
  • How will you handle a complaint or a bad reaction?

About claims

  • Do you claim this service treats or cures any disease? If so, what is the evidence?
  • Can you put the risks in writing, including who is more likely to be harmed?
  • What is the full price, including add-ons, and what is your cancellation policy?

Be cautious if you get vague answers, pressure to buy a package, or promises that a session will treat a medical condition.

What to do next

  1. Write down your symptoms, how long they have lasted, and what makes them better or worse.
  2. If any red flag above applies, contact a doctor first. Do not wait for a wellness appointment.
  3. Bring this checklist to your doctor and ask whether this kind of service is appropriate for you. NCCIH encourages you to tell your health care providers about any “cleanse” you use.
  4. If you decide to book, ask the questions above and keep the answers.
  5. If you notice any of the warning signs listed above after a session, contact a medical professional promptly rather than waiting for a follow-up appointment. NIDDK's list focuses on diarrhea, but it is a sensible place to start. If symptoms are severe, use your local emergency number.

Sources and checks

This article is general educational information from the NewLifeWellnessCenter.com Editorial Team. It has not been clinically reviewed, does not diagnose or treat any condition, and does not recommend any provider or product. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor.

Related guides