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. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. An enema is an alternative healing method said to cleanse the colon. As with colonics , this method involves introducing water into the colon by way of the rectum. Often used to treat constipation and promote bowel movements, enemas are purported to promote weight loss and offer a broad range of health benefits. According to proponents, enemas can remove waste and toxins from the colon.
While most healthy individuals are able to eliminate waste efficiently on their own, some proponents claim that non-eliminated waste can build up in the colon and lead to a host of health issues. These health issues include allergies, bad breath, back pain, depression, fatigue, headache, hemorrhoids, indigestion, sinus problems, and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
In some cases, enemas are used as part of detox regimens. Enemas are also said to enhance mood, improve mental performance, and support weight loss. Some types of enemas involve retaining liquid in the colon for extended periods of time.
If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. An enema involves inserting liquid or gas into the rectum, which is the lower part of the large intestine. The aim is to empty the bowels, allow for an examination, or administer medication.
An enema can be effective in treating certain medical conditions, but regular enema use can cause serious health problems. Many pharmacies sell enema kits, and these are also available online. Choose one that a healthcare provider has recommended. A kit usually includes a bag or another type of container attached to a tube or nozzle. This container holds a liquid, which may contain an oil or laxative.
Anyone with sufficient flexibility in their arms and shoulders to reach behind them should be able to use an enema at home. Each enema kit is slightly different and should come with clear instructions. Reading these instructions carefully can help make sure enema use is safe and effective. Make sure to plan enough time for the enema to work and to take a rest afterward, if needed. Doctors generally recommend having access to a bathroom for 1 hour after using an enema.
An enema can be uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. If there is a pain, stop and seek medical advice. Using petroleum jelly can ease discomfort during insertion. An enema is an invasive procedure, and a person should only use one for medical reasons. Buy an enema kit from a reputable pharmacy — avoid homemade kits.
Using an enema as a regular treatment for constipation can cause health problems. The body can become reliant on enemas to pass stool, and the muscles in the gut may weaken over time. It may become difficult to pass stool naturally, and in some cases, enema overuse could cause incontinence. The two main types — cleansing and retention enemas — come in a variety of solutions and can be injected at home.
Enemas can treat constipation and clear out your bowel. However, many people choose to use enemas for other purported health benefits 8 , 9. Some advocates claim that enemas can support weight loss , remove toxins and heavy metals from your body, and improve your skin, immunity, blood pressure, and energy levels. Still, evidence is limited to suggest that enemas are effective for these purposes or that they benefit everyone who uses them. Most evidence in support of their effectiveness is anecdotal, despite their widespread use in modern medicine Enemas appear to be most effective when used to relieve chronic constipation in a medical setting, though they come with many risks, especially when self-administered at home 11 , Enemas can be effective in cleansing the bowel and treating chronic constipation, but most evidence in their favor is anecdotal rather than science based.
Though enemas can clean out your bowel, you should consider their risks and take certain precautions before using one. Research shows that enemas used in preparation for medical procedures significantly disrupt gut bacteria, though the effect appears to be temporary. However, enemas that are split and administered in two doses seem to have fewer effects on the microbiome 13 , Electrolyte disturbances have been observed with various types of enemas, such as large-volume soap suds enemas and those containing minerals.
For instance, there have been reports of Epsom salt enemas causing death from magnesium overdose. In another case, an older man died from severe electrolyte disruption caused by taking two sodium phosphate enemas 3 , 15 , Other reports note that the overuse of enemas to flush out the colon may lead to severe dehydration, which can be fatal Lemon juice , apple cider vinegar, and coffee enemas are highly acidic, and scientific evidence to suggest their effectiveness or safety is lacking.
Similarly, there are reports of children being given acidic hydrogen peroxide enemas, which resulted in an inflamed colon, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and long-term complications Furthermore, in some people, herbal enemas have caused internal bleeding that required a blood transfusion and removal of the colon 1.
The use of dirty tools increases your risk of contracting a potentially dangerous infection. Improper tool use may also cause physical damage to your rectum, anus, or colon.
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