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 reminds of unpleasant sensations and a painful condition; for others - the usual procedure, the implementation of which is not difficult and takes place almost daily. The truth is as usual in the middle. But everyone should know the basic information about bowel cleansing, indications and contraindications for it, as well as how often enemas can be done.
What do we know about an enema?
One and the same word - an enema - refers to both the procedure for cleaning the intestines, and the medical instrument with which this cleaning is performed.
Using the instrument of the same name, a certain amount of liquid (from 100 ml to 2 liters) is injected into the large intestine, which is determined individually depending on the purpose of the procedure. After the introduction of the fluid, the intestine is completely empty, due to which it is cleansed and gets rid of toxins.
How often enemas can be done, the doctor determines individually for each patient. But without special indications, the procedure can be carried out independently no more than twice a month.
What are enemas?
At first glance, always the same bowel cleansing procedure can achieve completely different goals. The technology and features of setting the enema also depend on this.
The most commonly used types of procedures are:
- Cleansing enema. This type of procedure is used for chronic constipation, as well as for urgent cleaning of the intestines, for example, before surgery or examination of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. It is this type of enema that is used for poisoning with the goal of detoxification, 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 infused fluid can vary from 1 to 2 liters.
- Hot enema. A distinctive feature of this procedure is the temperature of the infused fluid. It significantly exceeds body temperature and can reach a maximum of 42 degrees. A similar procedure can be prescribed for spastic constipation, and it is better to carry out it under the supervision of a medical professional.
- Cold enema. This type of procedure is aimed at enhancing the functioning of the intestine and is prescribed for atonic constipation. The temperature of the water for the enema in this case ranges from 15 to 20 degrees.
What kind of procedure is necessary, and with what frequency should it 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 the appointment of a doctor 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 bring only relief. But when its independent use becomes systematic, a mandatory medical consultation is needed to establish the cause of the problem and eliminate it.
An enema is prescribed only by a doctor: the benefits and harms of this procedure can be balanced, since such a procedure serves only as part of a comprehensive treatment of 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 the use of certain medications. Also, this method can be included in the course of body cleansing during therapeutic fasting.
How often can enemas be done and what to do if the treatment is ineffective, the attending physician makes a reservation when prescribing the course of treatment.
How to carry out the procedure?
The enema technique is not at all complicated, and it can be done at home on your own, knowing some features.
Before conducting a cleansing enema, you need to prepare a liquid for infusion. 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 home it is quite enough to use 1-1.5 liters.
The enema itself is a rubber container that looks like a heating pad, a rubber hose with a valve and a tip. All components of the enema should be clean and sterilized.
A person who needs to cleanse his intestines should take a comfortable position: lying on his left side is considered the most successful. The plastic tip of the rubber hose is lubricated with petroleum jelly or other neutral grease and carefully inserted into the rectum. After that, the valve on the hose for fluid supply opens.
If the fluid flows too quickly, causing an unpleasant sensation, you can adjust its pressure by pinching the rubber hose.
After the introduction of the entire volume of the enema, it is necessary to hold it in the intestine for 10-15 minutes, and then empty it.
If the procedure is carried out correctly, then after it a person should feel lightness and comfort in the abdomen.
Enema for children: features
Enema for children can be indicated in case of excruciating constipation or poisoning. Many women hesitate to do an enema on their own, fearing to harm the baby. If the mother is not confident in her abilities and doubts the ability to carry out the procedure correctly, it is better to entrust her to medical personnel. Children's intestines are more tender, and it is much easier to injure them than adults.
If an enema is performed for children at home, it is important not to overdo it with the volume of fluid injected. It is calculated individually, based on the age of the small patient. For the smallest, it is better to use rubber pears: they allow you to quickly enter a precisely calculated small volume of liquid.
In the case of treatment of children, it is important not to abuse self-medication and, at the slightest sign of deterioration, urgently seek qualified help.
Frequency is important!
No wonder many people who have problems with the intestines 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 aggravation of the existing problem, but also cause the development of new diseases.
Without prejudice to microflora and intestinal motility, an enema can be performed every 2 weeks.
Using a fasting regimen, diet, or body cleansing technique, it is important to remember that an enema should never be used every day. The minimum allowable break between procedures is one day. The maximum course is 7-10 days. Choosing a similar technique for yourself, it will not be superfluous to consult a doctor whether you can specifically apply an enema in this amount: the therapist can determine the indications and contraindications of this procedure by the results of the examination.
What will happen if abused?
For people who suffer from chronic constipation, using an enema is not rarely the only way to empty the intestines. And a person can fall into some kind of addiction - you don’t need to change anything and treat, once every two or three days you can make an enema, and the problem is solved.
But this approach triggers a cyclic mechanism: the intestine is gradually “unlearned” to work, emptying is becoming more difficult, and an enema again can not do.
Therefore, if the need for an enema occurs more often than twice a month, you should immediately visit a specialist. He will prescribe a corrective diet, soft laxatives and additional examinations. Enema is not a cure, it is a temporary remedy for the problem.
In addition, frequent intervention in the intestine violates its natural microflora. The balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria changes, which can lead to the development of intestinal diseases of varying severity. And to restore 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 enemas for many years!