An enema is a special diagnostic and treatment manipulation (procedure). It is the introduction of therapeutic and other fluids into the lower compartment of the colon for treatment or for diagnostic purposes.
Types of enemas
Types of enemas may vary depending on the purpose. It can be administering (with drugs - a nourishing enema) and liberating (for the purpose of purification - a siphon enema and laxative).
The purpose of the enema
The main goal of setting cleansing enemas is to induce the urge to empty the intestines and form normal stools if it has been absent for a long time. They also do an enema in order to avoid negative consequences in order to remove the discomfort and get rid of the feeling of heaviness.
Home exercise
You can carry out a cleansing enema both at home and in a medical facility. But still, you often do not need to use this method of purification at home, so as not to harm the intestinal microflora.
It is important to know that a cleansing enema at home should be carried out according to the rules, because the result of cleansing will directly depend on this. Even minor flaws can prevent you from achieving the desired result.
How does an enema work?
When water begins to gradually fill the stomach, it penetrates through the small intestine and seeps into the large intestine, then gradually exerts pressure on it, and this leads to irritation of its walls. At the same time, intestinal peristalsis intensifies, its walls contract more strongly, after which a person begins to have the urge to defecate, and the fluid washes out feces and all that is unnecessary.
Indications for the setting of cleansing enemas
A cleansing enema is prescribed if poisoning is detected in a person. An enema is also indicated if the patient often has constipation (stool retention more than 48 hours) and discomfort in the intestine. Pregnant women are prescribed cleansing enemas before giving birth, and cleaning is also done before surgery or colonoscopy.
There are contraindications for the appointment of enemas:
- tumor of the rectum;
- prolapse of the rectum;
- inflammatory and other diseases of the rectum and anus;
- hemorrhoids bleeding.
Cleansing enema: execution technique
Photos will help to carry out the process correctly. The setting of an enema contains several stages. First you need to prepare everything you need, and then put the enema itself.
Devices that are necessary for setting cleansing and other enemas:
- Esmarch's mug with a special rubber tube or pear;
- tripod for hanging mugs;
- glass, plastic or ebonite sterile tip;
- clamp;
- vessel, oilcloth (lining), petroleum jelly;
- sterile gloves;
- 1.5-2 liters of boiled water (room temperature);
- thermometer (for water);
- pelvis;
- couch for the patient;
- a special basin or container for used tips.
Cleansing enema. Hospital technique
- Esmarch's mug must be filled with water, 1.5-2 liters (temperature 18-22 degrees). Air is released from the system, a clamp is applied. The mug is suspended on a tripod at the level of one and a half meters above the couch with the patient.
- A sterile tip is put on the end of the rubber tube and lubricated with petroleum jelly.
- Under the patient on the couch lay oilcloth.
- The patient lies on his left side, bends his legs at the knees.
- The medical worker puts on sterile disposable gloves, spreads the patient’s buttocks with his hands and carefully inserts the tip into the rectum with a slight rotational movement to a depth of three to four centimeters towards the navel. Then, with the same movements, they turn the tube up to 8-10 centimeters to the coccyx.
- The clamp on the rubber tube is removed, and gradually water (1-2 liters) is poured through it into the rectum.
- To prevent air from entering the intestines, a little water is left at the bottom of the mug.
- Before removing the tip, a clip is applied to the tube.
- The tip is removed by a slight rotational movement in the reverse sequence (from the coccyx to the navel).
- The patient needs to hold water for ten minutes. To do this, he lies on his back and breathes deeply.
- After the procedure, the used tips are soaked in a special solution.
Is it possible to carry out these manipulations at home? Yes, but one thing to keep in mind. In a hospital or at home, a cleansing enema should be performed after consultation with a doctor. The algorithm execution technique is as follows:
- First you need to ask the patient if he has stool after a cleansing enema.
- If the patient is in the hospital and has bed rest, a cleansing enema is placed in the ward, behind the screen.
- After water has been introduced into the intestines, a vessel is placed under the patient.
- When the intestines are completely empty, the patient is washed.
- If it is difficult for the patient to turn on his side, then the enema is placed when he lies on his back with bent knees and legs apart.
- A basin is placed on the edge of the couch if the patient cannot retain water in himself.
- If a medical worker detected a hemorrhoid when inserting the tip, then the tip must be carefully inserted so as not to injure the nodes.
The method of conducting a cleansing enema at home
In principle, a cleansing enema can be done on its own, the technique at home should be strictly observed in this case:
- It is necessary to prepare a solution for introduction into the intestine. It can be ordinary water, or it can be vegetable oil. It is important to maintain the temperature of the water, it should be at least 38-39 degrees, if the patient has severe cramping and pain.
- Instead of Esmarch’s mug, you can take a regular heating pad or a simple rubber bulb with a tip. Do not forget about petroleum jelly to lubricate the tip to avoid injury.
The cleansing enema, execution technique and the process itself are quite simple:
- You need to lie in the bath, spread your legs and put them to the wall shoulder width apart. This is necessary in order not to experience pain and discomfort with the introduction of the solution.
- Then the pelvis must be raised, while the legs should be at an angle of 90 degrees.
- The tip is lubricated with petroleum jelly and carefully inserted into the anus for 5-6 centimeters.
- The faucet opens or, if it is a clamp, is removed, and the liquid flows into the intestine.
- To retain water in yourself, you need to lie in the bathtub on your back.
- When the urge to bowel movements begins, you need to lie on your right side. It is recommended to retain water within yourself for up to 10 minutes.
- Carefully rise to your feet.
- After all the manipulations, you can go to the toilet.
- If during the enema, a person begins to experience pain and pain, you need to stop the flow of solution into the rectum. You can deeply breathe, lower the pelvis or raise it. This is necessary to reduce fluid pressure on the intestines.
- When the intestines are completely cleaned, it is necessary to disinfect all instruments, rinse with soap and water, boil, only after that the enema can be used the next time.
Performing an enema for children
A cleansing enema can be given to people of any age. The technique for children is the same as for adults. It is important to do this as carefully as possible so as not to harm the baby.
Tools for an enema for a child are the same as for an adult (Esmarch's mug or pear, water of a certain temperature, gloves, oilcloth or diaper, petroleum jelly, baby potty).
- Spread a diaper or oilcloth on the couch.
- Handle and wear sterile gloves.
- Lubricate the tip with Vaseline.
- Release the air from the pear and fill it with a solution.
- Carefully push the buttocks of the child and insert the tip inwards by 5 cm, filling with water with a gentle rotary movement. If the child is younger than a year, then it is better to put him on his back and raise the legs up. If the child is older than a year, then the manipulations are carried out when he lies on his left side.
- Remove the pear and try to hold the water inside the intestines of the child, while holding the buttocks with your hands. After 5-6 minutes, lay the baby on his back and wait for the urge to defecate.
- After emptying the baby’s intestines, wash and lubricate the perineum with baby cream or powder.
Often it is not recommended to use cleansing enemas, as this can lead to disruption of the normal intestinal microflora, as well as to disable the independent work of the rectum.
You can not self-medicate and prescribe an enema on your own. Before resorting to treatment and prevention, you must always consult a doctor.