title: The physiology of colonic hydrotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colonic hydrotherapy is widely used and many of its practitioners are medically qualified. Nonetheless, the basis of many of their practices requires physiological scrutiny.
  
  
  METHODS
  The claims of colonic hydrotherapy are examined against known physiological facts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hydrotherapy is not entirely physiological.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colonic hydrotherapy may increase the dissemination and absorption of toxins and bacteria into the body.
authors.affiliation: Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore. seowchoen@colorectalcentre.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Seow-Choen
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000502:physiology*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects; D004733:Enema / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects*