Why Enema?

The enema process is a way of cleansing your colon by inserting a bulb, or tube into the rectum and injecting fluid or gas. This process has been practiced for years now as a way of emptying the contents of the colon used for people who are constipated or for those who are in need of rectal and colon cleansing.

An enema is usually done for to help empty the bowels. More so, an enema can also treat certain medical conditions that affect the large intestine or the rectum. Here are some of the main reasons why enemas area used.

Constipation

The most common reason for enemas is to relieve constipation. Doctors prescribe laxatives or suppositories initially. But if and when these treatment methods fail and stools seem to be hard and dry, enemas are the best recourse. Frequent use of laxatives is highly discouraged because it can lead to alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation and electrolyte imbalance. A person can also be highly dependent on laxatives hence making the digestive system more lax. Some examples of enema solutions to be used for constipation are mineral oil or glycerin, warm water, saline solution and sodium phosphate.

IBD or Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Enemas can help treat IBD, including ulcerative colitis. Usually, the colon is inflamed in UC and an enema is an effective way of reducing inflammation. Mesalamine enema is commonly used for UC treatment. In some cases, hydrocortisone and corticosteroid are used.

Colon Cleaning

Enemas are used often times to clean the colon before a medical procedure. This is to ensure that stools will not infect the colon or bowel during surgery. Colonoscopy is another procedure that requires the colon to be clean.

 

Colon Cleaning

 

Lower GI X-ray

In X-rays for the lower intestines called fluoroscopy which creates a real time image of an organ, a barium enema is used as a highlighter. Barium is a chalk-white powder and it is mixed with water. It highlights and outlines the entire structure of the colon in order to detect any form of polyps, ulcers and inflammation in the large intestine.

Enemas can be done with the assistance of a health professional or it can be done at home using an enema kit that can be bought in pharmacies or online.

Consult a medical professional before doing a DIY enema at home. Make sure to take all necessary precautions.

For further information on how to do it yourself, visit our YouTube Channel,