Why is enema administered

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. This is because the network of blood vessels in the rectum can transport medicine quickly to other parts of the body.

An enema can help treat certain health issues and they are a necessary step for some medical procedures. However, regular use can cause long-term problems, and a person should always follow professional advice when using an enema.

The bowel is delicate, and a person should take care when using an enema. Bacteria can upset the balance of the gut and cause infection, and it is possible to injure the rectum. Follow the instructions carefully, and make sure to be gentle. A fecal impaction, or impacted bowel, is a serious bowel condition that will require medical treatment.

It occurs when a hard, immobile mass of stool…. For a couple of days after the procedure, people will need…. We look at some possible natural alternatives to laxatives for people looking to have a bowel movement. We also look at when to see a doctor. Liver cleanses promise to rid the body of toxins and impurities, but are controversial because there is little science to support their use. What to know about enemas. Daily exercise also helps to prevent constipation.

An enema administration is most commonly used to clean the lower bowel. However, this is normally the last resort for constipation treatment. If diet and exercise are not enough to keep you regular, your doctor might recommend a laxative before trying an enema. In some cases, laxatives are used the night before an enema administration to encourage waste flow.

Enemas may also be used before medical examinations of the colon. Your doctor may order an enema prior to an X-ray of the colon to detect polyps so that they can get a clearer picture. This procedure may also be done prior to a colonoscopy. Learn more: Colonoscopy ». 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.

Any waste that you eliminate during an enema is from recent meals and would have been eliminated during normal bowel movements in due time. While enemas can be a useful tool in medicine, giving yourself enemas at home can have many complications. Temporary side effects of enemas can include bloating and cramping. Enemas can also affect the balance of microbiota in your gut. However, enemas also negatively affect the good bacteria in the gut probiotics , which can damage the microbiota balance and cause digestive symptoms.

Coffee enemas first became popular in the s, when a German scientist, Max Gerson, claimed that coffee enemas were more effective than standard saline enemas, because the coffee would be absorbed rectally, and could help stimulate the liver. Supposedly, this would detoxify the body and could even help cure cancer. Coffee can offer health benefits — such as antioxidants — when you drink it, but there is no advantage to taking coffee rectally. In fact, it comes with the risk of normal enema complications, and the potential for rectal burns if the coffee is too warm.

It is also possible to take in too much caffeine, if you are using larger amounts of coffee than you would normally drink. If you want to enjoy coffee, it is best to enjoy drinking it in moderation. There are two different types of enema for bowel evacuation, although they are very similar.

Some enemas are given to produce an immediate effect, which is to lubricate, thus facilitating the passage of faeces. The administration of a fluid into the rectum may also induce peristaltic contraction of the rectal walls. Retention enemas, while producing the same effects, are intended to remain in the rectum for a longer period of time penetrating and thus lubricating the faeces further.

Retention enemas tend to be oil based. Medicines can be administered rectally in enema form. This may be carried out for local effect, such as steroids and agents that reduce inflammation in the colonic mucosa. In addition, drugs may be absorbed for systemic effect by the vascular network surrounding the rectum. The administration of enemas should be avoided in patients following colonic surgery or patients with injury or obstruction, as the risk of perforation may be increased.