Common Health Benefits and Risks Associated with Enema

Enema is an alternative medicine/procedure used to stimulate the bowel movement and ease constipation or just to cleanse the digestive tract. The practice of enema is not new and this technique has been prevalent since the ancient Egyptian era not just to ease constipation but also to treat other ailments such as intestinal worms and fever. Before you decide onto the fact that if an enema is good or bad for you, please read on to know about the health benefits and risks associated with it. 

What is an enema?

The process of enema involves the introduction of a saline solution or a medicated enema solution into the colon via the rectum. Once the enema solution is injected, it is meant to be retained for the stipulated time which is most of the times a few minutes. The liquid can then be expelled in the toilet along with any fecal matter. This method helps with pushing the accumulated waste out of the body to relieve constipation and along with that cleanse the digestive tract. 

Enemas are more likely to be used as the last option to treat constipation only after you have made all the necessary changes to your diet and tried laxatives. 

Benefits 

The cleansing claims of enema are still a matter of discussion and are yet to be proven scientifically. But even after that, there are people who swear by the cleansing nature of the procedure. For instance, coffee enema is one of the favorites of people who love to perform an enema regularly. For them, a coffee enema is one of the favorites. For them, coffee enema is very crucial as it increases the energy level, helps with depression, lightens up the mood, etc. 

And these are not the only benefits which enema has. It is also believed that regular enemas also help with excess weight loss as the accumulated excess unprocessed waste is removed from the body. 

Risks

The procedure has amazing benefits but there are also some risks associated with it especially when you are performing an enema session at home in the absence of a professional healthcare expert using an at home enema kit. Some people may experience common side effects of enema such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There are also chances that you might hurt the anal cavity while inserting the nozzle. 

Enemas are less likely to cause any serious damage but performing the procedure too often may disturb the natural capability of the body to expel wastes and it may lead to dependency on frequent enemas for regular bowel movements. 

Things to Keep in Mind Before Performing an Enema

For those looking for a quick detox/cleansing, enema seems like the perfect option to start with. But as with any such therapy, there are some common guidelines that you need to keep in mind before getting started. Below we have mentioned some of the tips to get you started with your first enema.

• Get the right equipment- There are different types of enema equipment such as enema bulb and enema bags or enema buckets available in the market and they are meant to meet different requirements. You need to make sure that the equipment you have selected serves the purpose for you as this will affect the results you get. 
• Get comfortable- Find a comfortable spot for performing the enema session and try to figure out a comfortable position for you by trying out different positions. Some people like to lie down on the floor while some prefer doing it in the bathtub.  
• Do not rush into things- Enema may seem like a daunting task especially if you are attempting it for the very first time. But don’t worry and take as much time as you want. Taking a warm shower before performing the enema may help in soothing your nerves and get you calm. Just keep in mind that you are not the only one performing this procedure, there are millions of people who have performed this procedure and are still using it on a regular basis.
• Use a lubricant- Using a lubricant is a must if you want to avoid any unnecessary pain. Using a lubricant will help the nozzle to glide in easily without causing any discomfort.  
• Sterilize your equipment after every use- Yes, it is an obvious one but we would still like to mention it as it also one of the most important ones. To maintain proper sanity, it is of utmost importance to clean the enema equipment after every single use. Ideally warm soapy water is fine to be used for this purpose.  
• Try to be close to a shower- If you are doing it for the first time or if you are using a large volume of the enema (or even otherwise), try to stay close to the bathroom. In fact, if your bathroom is big enough, it is best to perform the enema in your bathroom only.