Cleansing Reactions

Have you ever heard of or maybe even experienced a detox or cleansing reaction?

When you make sudden healthy changes in diet and supplements or undergo a cleanse or detoxification program, you might get the joy of experiencing a cleansing reaction.

A cleansing reaction, also known as die-off, Herxheimer reaction, Herxing, a healing crisis, is usually a sudden uncomfortable reaction.

A cleansing reaction happens for a few reasons:

1. Toxins are rapidly coming out into the bloodstream, often faster than the body can eliminate them and they are experienced as they are leaving.

2. As certain organisms die (such as yeast or parasites), they release toxins in the process which adds to the load.

One may experience short-term (a few days to a couple weeks) return or exacerbation of mild symptoms such as headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, acne, itchy skin or mild rashes, skin flushing, sore throat, general malaise, body odor, sweating, chills, nausea, or other symptoms. This mild and temporary response may be likened to what is known as a Herxheimer reaction.

These symptoms are normal – and even healthy to a point. Questions should be directed to your health professional and your intake level may need to be lessened. Often cutting back or stopping the current regimen and drinking plenty of water for a couple days will usually ease symptoms.

Warning: Any serious symptoms such as cardiac irregularity; breathing difficulties; chest, lung or throat constriction; significant swelling; severe fatigue or other severe symptoms should be given immediate medical attention.