Why is enema used

The purpose of a cleansing enema is to gently flush out the colon. It may be recommended prior to a colonoscopy or other medical examination.

Constipation, fatigue, headaches, and backaches may be relieved by a cleansing enema. During a cleansing enema, a water-based solution with a small concentration of stool softener, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar is used to stimulate the movement of the large intestine. A cleansing enema should stimulate the bowels to quickly expel both the solution and any impacted fecal matter. You may be asked to fast or follow special dietary instructions in the days prior to having an enema. Instructions may vary, depending on your doctor and your personal health needs.

If you plan to administer an enema at home, make sure that all of the equipment you are using has been sterilized and that you have a lubricant on hand. Pay careful attention to the way that you prepare the enema solution. You may have to mix it yourself with medicinal components. To lessen the pressure felt in your colon, empty your bladder before you begin the enema. You may also want to place a towel or cloth down in the area between your bathtub and your toilet, in case fluid leaks out of your bowels when you get up to empty your colon.

If you are unfamiliar with enemas, you should consider having a medical professional administer one for you. They can also offer instructions for home kits that are available over the counter at pharmacies. Check with your doctor before use. Some types of enemas are exclusively administered at medical offices. A barium enema, for example, uses a liquid compound that highlights certain areas of the gastrointestinal tract.

This increases the amount of the tract that your doctor can see during an exam. Barium enemas are not used to treat constipation. Read more: Barium enema ». Enemas can be administered in the comfort of your own home. This way can be less expensive, but you should ask your doctor for detailed instructions beforehand. Due to the delicate nature of the procedure, a loved one should help.

Enemas utilize a solution of salt water that is placed into a bag on one side of the tube. The other portion is lubed and placed directly into the rectum.

In order for the solution to reach the colon properly, hug your knees to your chest while lying on your stomach or on your side. Here are the standard instructions:. Once all of the solution is emptied into the colon, a bowel movement is expected within the hour. If you fail to expel any waste, call your doctor. You may be ordered to perform the procedure at a later time. Successful administrations result in the expulsion of waste from the rectum.

There are plenty of holistic and nontraditional advocates for enemas as a beneficial method for internal cleansing. For Western medicine at large, the verdict is still out on whether regularly administered home enemas have proven benefits. Not much conclusive research has been done into their long-term health benefits. An enema is a treatment that people use to flush the contents of the bowel out of the body.

An enema can take a few minutes to begin working, but a person should stay near a toilet for roughly one hour. Enemas can begin to work after a few minutes , but people may need to use the bathroom more than once for the next hour.

An individual uses an enema to inject fluid through the anus into the sigmoid colon. An enema can involve different fluids, depending on the purpose. A person may vary the fluid they inject, the volume of the contents, or the retention period, depending on the reason for the enema. Doctors may prescribe an enema to clear the lower half of the large bowel before a diagnostic test or for other medical purposes.

Some people will use an enema on a regular basis because they believe it enables general health benefits through detoxification.

It is best to check with a doctor before using an enema, as people have varying needs, and different products do not suit everyone. According to the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research , medicinal uses include:.

According to a article , the concept of using an enema comes from the historical theory of autointoxication. This theory suggests that toxins and other waste products of digestion collect in the colon from where they may reabsorb into the body. Some people suggest that using an enema can reduce the time toxins spend in the colon and boost health, as a result. Others believe enemas may play a role in treating conditions such as cancer. However, the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research state that evidence for the health benefits of using an enema for detoxification is limited.

They warn that other than for medicinal purposes, using an enema at home can be dangerous if a person does not do it correctly. If a person chooses to use an enema at home, they should set aside enough time so that they do not rush the process.

It is best not to eat for at least 30 minutes before starting the process. After injecting the fluid, the individual should lie on their back and try to hold it in for as long as they can. They will usually be unable to keep their bowels closed for more than 5 minutes. Regardless of how quickly the enema works, the individual should stay near the bathroom in case they need to pass the contents of their bowels again for the remainder of the hour. A person may find that they are unable to have a bowel movement after using an enema.

If this happens, they must seek medical attention. A doctor can examine the contents of the bowel and may suggest using a second enema. A healthcare professional might perform a barium enema if they want to see the outline of the large intestine. If a person has hemorrhoids , they should take extra care to avoid further discomfort. If a person has had a bowel obstruction or colon surgery, they have an increased risk of bowel perforation and should avoid using an enema.

The use of an enema before giving birth is no longer the standard recommendation. The procedure is invasive and does not benefit a woman in labor. Enemas can help treat some medical conditions. They can also prepare a person for certain medical procedures.

There is no scientific evidence that an enema benefits general health, and using an enema to detox can be harmful. Inserting substances such as coffee or oil into the body can also introduce harmful bacteria. It is usually necessary to have an empty bowel before surgery on the rectum, colon, or gut.

A person may need to use an enema at home before surgery, or a medical professional may give an enema in the hospital. A colonoscopy is the use of a small camera to check the health of the rectum or bowel. The bowel will need to be empty before this procedure.

A person may need to limit their diet for a few days before the procedure. The doctor may also prescribe an enema to ensure that the bowel is empty. A barium enema can help check for bowel or colon cancer. One enema empties the bowel, and another puts liquid barium into the rectum. This shows up on an X-ray to give clear images of the bowels. After the procedure, the barium passes from the body in a bowel movement. An enema can help treat severe constipation.

There are two main types of enema for constipation. The first lubricates the bowels to help stool pass quickly. The second is a retention enema, which stays in the body for longer. A retention enema is usually oil-based, and it soaks the stool to ease its passage from the body. Regular use of enemas to treat constipation can cause health problems. A more lasting way to resolve constipation is with diet and lifestyle changes. Drinking enough water and including plenty of fiber in the diet can keep bowel movements healthy and regular.

People can administer medication using an enema. This can especially help with treating health problems affecting the colon, such as inflammatory bowel disease. In some cases, an enema can deliver other types of medication.