The outcome of the modern habit of depending on "convenience foods" is a sluggish digestive system, with many people suffering from constipation, which ultimately needs medical attention. That is when enema normally comes into picture. In medical conditions like severe constipation and encopresis (involuntary evacuation of stool), enema is administered. However, enema can be used to keep your system clean. It is like a servicing for your digestive system. In naturopathic medicine, enema is used extensively.
How is Enema Administered?
Enema is administered in the following way: A liquid is introduced into the rectum and colon through the anus. This solution softens the impacted stool. As the colon fills up with this liquid and softens the stool, it triggers a powerful peristaltic wave leading to urgent and complete evacuation of the stool from the colon. In severe conditions, an enema is more effective than a laxative.
Types of Enema
Most enemas that are used for constipation use a blend of water along with other substances that help dissolve or lubricate impacted stool.
- Phosphosoda Enema: In this type of enema, sodium phosphate salt is used to retain water in the intestine. This enema is very powerful and hence should be used with caution to avoid side effects. It does not require any other equipment as it comes in a disposable squeeze bag with a nozzle.
- Mineral Oil Enema: As the name suggests, a mineral oil is used which lubricates the impacted stool, making it easier for it to slide out, giving patients less trouble.
- Saline Enema: This is a simple homemade solution which can be made by adding 2 teaspoons of salt in warm distilled water. You need to purchase some equipment to administer this at home, such as enema bag, enema tube, and distilled water.
- Milk and Molasses: This is also a homemade enema, which is made by mixing equal amount of molasses and whole milk. The sugar present in the milk and molasses will stay in the intestine and will soften the impacted stool.
Benefits of Enema
Apart from keeping your colon clean and detoxified, enemas have the following benefits:
- If fecal matter stay stuck in the colon for long period of time, the toxins from the them gets reabsorbed into the surrounding tissues, which causes a condition known as toxemia which is obviously very bad for the system and urgent evacuation is warranted by means of enema.
- When you consume more of refined and processed foods high in fat and sugar, these cause the peristaltic movements to become weak, resulting in inefficient disposal of waste, causing waste to get stuck en route. This in turn gives rise to conditions like constipation and IBS(irritable bowel syndrome). This stuck food putrefies and gets fermented, causing the system to become highly toxic, other than giving an uncomfortable bloated feeling. Enema will relieve you from that discomfort and makes your system light, clean, and refreshed once the toxins and waste is removed.
- During cold and flu, the lymphatic system becomes stagnant with the mucus buildup. Enema can help with the release of mucus giving you a much lighter and refreshed feeling. It also prevents the cold and flu from deteriorating.
Caution and Precaution
- While the use of enema is beneficial for the system, improper method of administration of enema could create problem for you. If you are doubtful about the method, take expert advice.
- Overuse of phosphate enemas could lead to a condition known as hyperphosphatemia, due to high levels of phosphate salts in the blood.
- Enemas can cause dehydration.
- Enema can cause hyponatremia, wherein the blood becomes diluted due to lower-than-normal sodium content. This condition could cause muscle spasms or in more severe cases cause swelling in the brain and mental impairment. The risk of this is big when you use tap water instead of distilled water.
Inside our digestive system lies the root cause of many diseases. As much as we should pick and choose carefully what we put inside our stomach, how well we maintain our digestive tract also matter a lot.
