We all imagine what an enema is: the benefits and harms of this procedure cause a lot of controversy and doubt. For some, this is a terrible word that recalls unpleasant sensations and a painful condition; for others, it is a familiar procedure, the implementation of which is not difficult and takes place almost daily. The truth, as usual, is in the middle. But the basic information about bowel cleansing, indications and contraindications for it, as well as how often you can do enemas, everyone should know.
What do we know about enema?
The same word - enema - denotes both the procedure for cleaning the intestines and the medical instrument with which this same cleaning is performed.
With the help of the instrument of the same name, a certain amount of liquid is introduced into the large intestine (from 100 ml to 2 liters), which is determined individually depending on the purpose of the procedure. After the introduction of fluid, the intestines are completely emptied, due to which it is cleansed and gets rid of toxins.
How often you can do enemas, the doctor determines individually for each patient. But without special indications, the procedurecan be carried out independently no more than twice a month.
What are enemas?
At first glance, always the same colon cleansing procedure can achieve completely different goals. The technology and features of setting an enema also depend on this.
The following types of procedures are most often used:
- Cleansing enema. This type of procedure is used for chronic constipation, as well as for urgent bowel cleansing, for example, before surgery or examination of the gastrointestinal tract. It is this type of enema that is used for poisoning in order to detoxify, as well as those who want to lose weight. A cleansing enema is carried out with boiled water, the temperature of which ranges from 25 to 27 degrees. The volume of liquid to be infused can vary from 1 to 2 liters.
- Hot enema. A distinctive feature of this procedure is the temperature of the infused liquid. It significantly exceeds body temperature and can reach a maximum of 42 degrees. A similar procedure can be prescribed for spastic constipation, and is best done under the supervision of a medical professional.
- Cold enema. This type of procedure is aimed at activating the work of the intestines and is prescribed for atonic constipation. The water temperature for the enema in this case ranges from 15 to 20 degrees.
What type of procedure is needed, and how often it should be carried out, can only be said by the attending physician after examining the patient.
Indications for appointment
At home, many do not wait for a doctor's appointment and carry out the procedure for cleaning the intestines with an enema on their own. If this is an isolated case after poisoning or constipation due to inappropriate food, an enema will only bring relief. But when its independent use becomes systematic, a mandatory consultation with a doctor is needed to determine the cause of the problem and eliminate it.
Only a doctor prescribes an enema: the benefits and harms of this procedure can be balanced, since such a procedure is only part of a comprehensive treatment for bowel problems.
Most often, the procedure for cleaning it can be included in the treatment of diseases such as chronic constipation of various origins, "lazy" intestines, constipation due to certain medications. Also, this method can be included in the course of cleansing the body during therapeutic fasting.
How often you can do enemas and what to do if the treatment turned out to be ineffective, the attending physician stipulates when prescribing a course of treatment.
How to carry out the procedure correctly?
The enema technique is not at all complicated, and you can do it at home on your own, knowing some of the features.
Before conducting a cleansing enema, you need to prepare an infusion fluid. It is best to use boiled water at a comfortable temperature. If necessary, you can add a little potassium permanganate to obtain a light pink solution or a decoction of chamomile. The maximum allowable volume of liquid is 2 liters, but at home1–1.5 liters is sufficient.
The enema itself is a rubber container resembling a heating pad, a rubber hose with a valve and a tip. All parts of the enema must be clean and sterilized.
A person who needs to cleanse the intestines should take a comfortable position: the most successful is considered to be lying on the left side. The plastic tip of the rubber hose is lubricated with petroleum jelly or other neutral fat and gently inserted into the rectum. This opens the valve on the fluid hose.
If the liquid flows too quickly, causing discomfort, you can adjust its pressure by pinching the rubber hose.
After introducing the entire volume of the enema, it is necessary to hold it in the intestines for 10-15 minutes, then empty it.
If the procedure is carried out correctly, then after it the person should feel lightness and comfort in the stomach.
Enema for children: features
An enema can be indicated for children in case of severe constipation or in case of poisoning. Many women do not dare to do an enema on their own, fearing to harm the baby. If the mother is not confident in her abilities and doubts her ability to carry out the procedure correctly, it is better to entrust her to medical professionals. Children's intestines are more delicate and much easier to injure than an adult.
If an enema is given to children at home, it is important not to overdo it with the amount of liquid infused. It is calculated individually, based on the age of the child.patient. For the smallest, it is better to use rubber bulbs: they allow you to quickly enter a precisely calculated small amount of liquid.
In the case of treating children, it is important not to abuse self-medication and, at the slightest sign of deterioration, urgently seek qualified help.
Frequency matters
It is not for nothing that many people with bowel problems are concerned about the question: how often can enemas be done? The fact is that excessive enthusiasm for this seemingly harmless procedure can lead not only to aggravate the existing problem, but also cause the development of new diseases.
Without damage to the microflora and intestinal motility, an enema can be performed once every 2 weeks.
When using a fasting regimen, diet, or cleansing technique, it is important to remember that an enema should never be used every day. The minimum allowable break between procedures is a day. The maximum course is 7-10 days. When choosing such a technique for yourself, it would not be superfluous to consult a doctor whether it is possible for you to use this amount of enemas: the indications and contraindications of this procedure can be determined by the therapist based on the results of the examination.
What happens if abused?
For people who suffer from chronic constipation, enemas are often the only way to have a bowel movement. And a person can fall into some kind of addiction - you don’t need to change or treat anything, once every two or three days you can do an enema, andproblem solved.
But this approach triggers a cyclical mechanism: the intestines gradually “learn” how to work, emptying becomes more and more difficult, and you can’t do without an enema again.
Therefore, if the need for an enema occurs more than twice a month, you should immediately visit a specialist. He will prescribe a corrective diet, mild laxatives and additional examinations. An enema is not a cure, it is a temporary remedy.
Besides, frequent intervention in the intestine disrupts its natural microflora. The balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria changes, which can lead to the development of intestinal diseases of varying severity. And restoring this balance is very difficult, and it takes a lot of time and money.
Therefore, it is so important to observe the frequency and rules of the bowel cleansing procedure. Do not abuse enemas, it is better to pay more attention to your diet, drinking regimen and physical activity, and then you will forget about the enema for many years!
