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.

How to Select the Perfect Enema Bulb

Enema bulbs or enema syringes are one of the most popular methods of administering an enema. These are much smaller as compared to enema bags and thus are a lot cheaper and more convenient to use as they are easy to hold in just one hand. Since these are so popular, you can find a lot of different types of enema bulbs available in the market. Silicone is completely inert and won’t irritate your skin.

Different types of enema bulb material

 

One of the most important factors to look up to when selecting an enema bulb is its material. Different manufacturers use different materials such as plastics such as TPR and PVC and rubber. You can also find enema bulbs made of silicone as well. If you look at them functionality wise, all of them serve the same purpose. However, if you are allergic to a certain material or you have a sensitive skin, you should use a bulb which is entirely made of silicone.

Enema bulb size

Another important factor to keep in mind is the size of the enema bulb, as it determines the volume of the solution you can administer with it. Different types of enema solutions need to be administered in different dosages in order to be effective. The volume of the enema solution also depends on the bodily needs which differ from person to person. Although you can refill the enema bulb, it is much more convenient if you fill the entire solution in the bulb in one go. 

The shape of the enema nozzle

The last thing you need to be considerate about is the shape of the nozzle part of the enema syringe. The two most common shapes or enema nozzles are either curved or straight, as some people like to use a curved nozzle while others opt for a straight one. Nowadays you can even get enema bulbs which come with a two to three different enema nozzles giving you much more options.

Apart from these three considerations, all the other factors such as the color of the bulb or the manufacturer are more of a personal preference.

Can regular enemas harm your intestines?

A majority of adults deal with constipation on a regular basis. For most people constipation can be eased out without using any laxatives or enemas, just by making some crucial life changes such as working out on a daily basis, consuming a fiber rich diet and drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. If you are looking forward to using an enema, you may have thought about the ill effects it may have and how often can you use it. No matter what, enemas are never recommended to be used as a routine for initiating a bowel movement as it may make constipation even worse and may also lead to other complications.

How enemas can be harmful

If you are using a laxative or an enema on an occasional basis to ease out a bout of constipation it is not going to cause any permanent damage. 

On the other hand, if you are using enemas over an extended period of time to relieve constipation then you are creating more problems for yourself. Using enemas too often may make your intestinal muscles dependent on enemas for passing the stools and lose their original movement entirely. This may make situations worse for you and led to further complications.

If you are experiencing constipation on a regular basis and it does not respond to anything but a stimulant such as enema, then you need to see a doctor immediately.

Along with causing harm to the intestinal muscles, enemas may also lead to a condition called hyponatremia. In this condition, an imbalance of electrolytes occurs in the body due to the lack of sodium. Acute hyponatremia is a serious condition and may need medications to get treated. If you are experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or fever after a session of enema, get in touch with your doctor immediately.

Never ever use an unapproved enema without the clear guidance from your doctor. You can purchase enemas over the counter easily as they only contain salt and water, a mild laxative or mineral oil. The enemas which use other material such as electrolytes, vitamins and coffee are not recommended to be used on your own.

Enemas are a safe and effective option to get rid of constipation easily when used in moderation. The procedure should be left to be performed by a trained professional only and should not be performed at home.

Disadvantages of performing an Enema

When talking about enemas, people would always talk about the positives, the benefits that it has on the human health. But no one really talks about the drawbacks that this procedure has on your health. Today I am going to discuss four main disadvantages of enemas when used on a regular basis. 

• It may lead to muscles loss- Though enemas have an established and fairly long history of use, some medical professionals do not recommend this treatment to their patients for a long time. This is because it may result in the loss of muscle tissue and tone. The tissue is accountable for shaping as well as promoting the normal bowel movement and too many enemas may damage your colon in the long run. Most doctors do not recommend more than three consecutive enemas to their patients. 

• Risk of infections- Regular colon cleaning sessions may leave you exposed to infections from various pathological microorganisms which may enter you via unsanitary equipment. While performing an enema it is important to use enema equipment which is sterile and has not been used by someone in the past. This is the only way to reduce your chances of getting an infection. Cleaning your equipment with disinfectants and antiseptics reduce your chances of getting infections. 

• Enemas treat only a part of the digestive tract- One of the drawbacks of enema is that it only reaches up to a certain portion of the colon. As compared to a full-blown colonic an enema clears only a restricted part of the colon. To put it better, one colonic is equal to 30 enemas. This means that even after performing an enema several parts of the colon would still have the remains of fecal matter encrusted. 

 

• Risk of carcinogenic chemicals- If you use unfiltered water for performing colon cleanses or enema it might be dangerous for your health. Use of unfiltered tap water may hike up your risk of chromium-6, which is a cancer-causing chemical commonly found in tap water. It is recommended to use only filtered water for the process of enema or colonic irrigation.

Enemas vs. colonic irrigation- Basic differences

Both enemas and colonics aim at cleansing the colon by introducing water via the rectum. Though both the treatments have a similar approach and also have the same health benefits, there are still some key differences between enemas and colonics.

For instance, enemas involve a one-time infusion of water into the colon. While in colonics or colon irrigation, water is infused into the colon multiple time.

Another major difference is that enemas aim at cleansing just the lower colon while colonic aim at cleaning a larger part of the colon.

Another major difference between enema and colonics is that to perform colonics you require specialized equipment and need to be administered only by a colon hydrotherapist. On the other hand, enemas can also be performed at home with a DIY enema kit.

Colonics usually last for 45 minutes to an hour and starts with the patient filling up a health history form along with a consultation with the colon therapists. During the colonics session, warm water is released into the colon slowly. The water flow promotes the peristaltic movement of the colon muscles and pushes the waste matter out via the hose.

In several cases, the patient may experience abdominal pain or cramp, the therapist may have to massage the abdominal area gently to provide relief. Once the treatment is finished, he client can go to the toilet and get rid of any residual stools and water. 

Enemas can either be performed at a hospital or in the vicinity of your house. During an enema, a fluid (water, saline solution or any other enema solution) is injected into the colon via the hose of the enema kit. The client then needs to retain the injected solution for a stipulated time and then release it along with the stools.

How to use castor oil to reduce constipation

One of the most common gastrointestinal problems faced by most of us is constipation. We all have at least once been constipated for whatever reason. If you do not know then a person who has 3 or fewer bowel movements a week is considered constipated. Lack of fiber content in the food, dehydration, excessive intake of calcium, medication and lack of physical activities are the common reasons for constipation.

The most common treatment for constipation is the use of over the counter laxatives but the downside of these laxatives is that when used over a period of time they can make the user dependent on them. This is why natural home remedies are the best for treating constipation without any side effects.

Different ways to utilize olive oil for treating constipation:

1.    Olive oil as a laxative drink- Olive oil can be consumed orally in the form of a drink to loosen up the stools.

•    Olive oil with milk- Olive oil can be consumed with warm milk to ease out the firm stools. It also lubricates the colon thus making it easy to pass.

•    Olive oil with coffee- You can also add olive oil in your coffee.

•    Olive oil in juices- If you are lactose intolerant and caffeine does not go well with you then you can take the olive oil with a glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice.

Mix 1 tbsp. of olive oil with milk, coffee or juice and consume it on an empty stomach before going to bed.

2.    Olive oil with fruits- You can also consume olive oil drizzled over fruits. But make sure that you are using fibrous fruits such as pineapple, apple, orange, banana, etc. You can prepare a fruit salad and dress it with olive oil, salt and some black pepper. Make sure to eat it on an empty stomach at night.

3.    Olive oil enema- If the above-mentioned remedies do not work for you then you can try the olive oil enema. An enema is the process of injecting an enema solution in your colon to soften the stool and thus initiate a bowel movement. But make sure to take prior permission from your doctor and follow all the necessary precautions. 

•    Take 1-quart warm filtered water and add 2 tablespoons organic olive oil to it.

•    Transfer this concoction to an enema bag and administer the enema.

•    Hold the solution for 10 minutes and then evacuate the stool.

Enema is recommended for only severe constipation and should not be used very often.

What is Coffee Enema

A coffee enema is a form of colon cleanse used as an alternative medicine for constipation. In this type of enema, brewed organic coffee is inserted into the colon via the rectum. Coffee enemas first originated in Germany by German physicians who were trying to figure out a treatment for cancer in the early 1900s. But it was a German-American doctor who believed that the body can be cleansed and healed with proper diet, nutrition and regular coffee enemas. Coffee enemas are known to encourage the bile flow as well as the production of glutathione which is a detoxifying antioxidant.

Regular coffee enemas are known to flush out heavy metals, bacteria, yeast and fungus from the digestive tract, minimizes inflammation, restores bowel function, shoots up the energy level and gets rid of several other underlying problems.

In the present scenario, doctors are using coffee enemas as a natural treatment to fight cancer, constipation, candida virus, parasites, and other digestive disorders.

The main purpose of coffee enema is to eliminate the accumulated toxins in the liver and getting rid of free radicals from the blood. In fact, according to a study, the amount of caffeine obtained from coffee enema is much more than the caffeine obtained by consuming the coffee orally.

When ingested, the compounds found in coffee act as a cathartic and make the colon muscles contract and expand. This movement helps in moving the stool through the digestive tract, helping you get rid of constipation. Some of the evidences have proved that regular coffee enemas can help with:

•    Cleansing the liver.

•    Repairing the digestive tissue.

•    Increasing immunity.

•    Improving blood circulation.

•    Helping with cell generation.

•    Relieving digestive issues (constipation, cramping, nausea and bloating).

•    Improving low energy levels.

•    Improving gut health.