Can enemas be harmful for constipation?

Enema in constipation is very often used as a good remedy for the release of the rectum from fecal masses. And often it is possible for patients. Can enemas harm the body or be addictive?

[1], [2],

Constipation and enemas

Most adults often or sometimes deal with constipation. In most cases, constipation can be defeated without using laxatives and enemas, but instead of starting with lifestyle changes, such as adding fiber to the diet, or putting exercise into the day regimen, drinking more water, people use enemas. After all, it is much easier than working on yourself.

Using an enema or laxative can often help relieve constipation and not cause damage to the anus. However, frequent use of enemas may eventually cause problems with the muscles of the intestines. Regular use of enemas may not allow the intestinal muscles to do their work properly. You do not need to constantly use enemas to cause movement of the rectum to push the stool. You should consult your doctor if you can not defecate without stimulants.

[3], [4], [5], [6]

Enema and water intoxication

You do not wish to harm the muscles of the intestines, but regular use of the enema can bring it into a condition called hyponatremia (or water intoxication). Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance that develops when the body lacks sodium (salt). Acute hyponatremia can be dangerous and may require treatment with medication or fluids prescribed by a doctor.

Never use enemas not authorized by your doctor without a clear indication. If you have recently become dependent on an enema to cure and support your intestines, consult your gastroenterologist.

[7], [8], [9], [10], [11]

When should I use enemas?

Enema can be used for a variety of purposes, including in preparation for colonoscopy, sigmoscopy, surgery, or for the treatment of constipation or fecal stagnation. This may seem like a complicated procedure that is not so easy to do on your own, but in fact an enema can be delivered without difficulty in most cases. Save your time and follow the recommendations of the doctor and the instructions he gives regarding the installation and administration of the enema.

How to install a simple enema?

Difficulty: Easy

Required time: 2 hours

Enema administration method

1. Remove the cap from the enema tip.
2. If you expect discomfort and difficulty, apply Vaseline to the anus to ease the enema.
3. Lie on a couch or on the floor on your left side, your right knee bent.
4. Carefully insert the enema tip into your rectum using your right hand. This may be uncomfortable, but it will not hurt a lot.
5. Push fluid from the enema into the rectum, squeezing the pear in which there is fluid, or, if this is the keypad, the fluid will flow along the hose itself.
6. Wait until the container is completely free of enema fluid.
7. Slowly remove the nozzle from the rectum.
8. Wait the recommended amount of time before evacuating feces from your intestines. It can be from 2 to 15 minutes.

Standard waiting time for results obtained from different enema preparations

• Bisacodyl: from 15 minutes to 1 hour
• Docusate: 2 to 15 minutes
• Glycerin: from 15 minutes to 1 hour
• Mineral oil: from 2 to 15 minutes
• Senna: from 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Sodium: 2 to 5 minutes

Stay close to the toilet for the next 30 minutes - and up to one hour, since you will need to evacuate the masses from your intestines several times.

[12], [13]

Useful tips for an enema

Always use the set of enemas recommended by your health care provider.

Consult a gastroenterologist if you are unable to complete the enema process normally or have severe discomfort or pain.

What you need for enemas

• Enema kit
• Towels
• Large enough hard surface to make you comfortable to lie

Barium enemas

Barium enemas (also used for the lower gastrointestinal tract) are a special type of enema that uses barium sulfate and air to examine the rectal and large intestinal mucosa. Barium sulfate is a water suspension of a chemical that shows portions of the colon on an x-ray film.

Barium sulfate is injected into an enema, this substance is then “retained” inside the colon, while X-rays highlight certain areas of the colon.

Intestinal disturbances may appear as dark silhouettes of the intestine during irrigoscopy. As an additional effect in the diagnosis of the rectum, air can be pumped into it to help show greater sharpness of the contours of the intestinal wall.

Barium enemas can be performed on an outpatient basis, this procedure usually takes about 45 minutes. Enema can be a nuisance, but the procedure is completely painless.

[14], [15], [16], [17]

What are barium enemas used for?

Barium enemas are used to test polyps in the rectum, diverticulum, tumors, and other abnormalities. From the age of 50 years old, barium enemas every 5 to 10 years, including colonoscopy, can be recommended to patients.

People who have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, a history of intestinal polyps or a family history of colorectal cancer should be tested earlier than before the age of 50 years.

Preparation for barium enemas

Your doctor will give specific instructions on how to prepare for this test. To give the best X-ray results, it is necessary that the colon was empty, and this is achieved with the help of enemas. Probably, laxatives will be needed before the procedure, as well as instructions on the amount and composition of the liquid you need to drink.

[18], [19], [20]

Risks

There is a risk of intestinal obstruction from the suspension of barium, if you do not clear the intestines from it after the procedures. This can be prevented by carefully following the instructions of the doctor to completely clear the barium intestine after the procedure. Barium enema is a safe procedure.

Your gastroenterologist will give you additional instructions on how to clean up barium from your intestinal system. These instructions may include certain doses of drinking water, cleaning the colon with an enema, or taking laxatives. Your stools may be lighter in color for those few days while the colon is cleared of barium.

When to call a doctor after applying enemas

Call your doctor if you notice:

• abdominal or rectal pain
• blood in the stool
• nausea
• the chair did not return to normal color
• inability to empty yourself without enemas
• very thin like a pencil stool with blood