We all imagine what an enema is:The benefits and harms of this procedure cause many disputes and doubts. For some, this is a terrible word that reminds of discomfort and painful condition; for others - a familiar procedure, the implementation of which is not difficult and takes place almost daily. Truth as usual in the middle. But the basic information about cleaning the intestines, indications and contraindications for it, as well as how often you can do enemas, everyone should know.
What do we know about enema?
One and the same word - enema - denotes both the intestinal cleaning procedure and the medical instrument with the help of which this same cleaning is performed.
Using the tool of the same name in thickThe intestine is injected with a certain amount of fluid (from 100 ml to 2 liters), which is determined individually depending on the purpose of the procedure. After the introduction of fluid, the intestine is completely emptied, due to which it is cleared and disposed of toxins.
How often you can do enemas, 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, the same bowel cleansing procedure can always achieve completely different goals. The technology and features of statement of an enema also depends on it.
The following procedures are most commonly used:
- Очищающая клизма.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 gastrointestinal tract. It is to this type of enema resorted to with poisoning to detoxify, as well as those who want to lose weight. Cleansing enema is carried out with boiled water, the temperature of which ranges from 25 to 27 degrees. The volume of fluid injected can vary from 1 to 2 liters.
- Hot enema.A distinctive feature of this procedure is the temperature of the infusion 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 best carried out under the supervision of a medical professional.
- Cold enema. This type of procedure is aimed at activating the work of the intestines and is prescribed for atonic constipation. The water temperature for enema in this case ranges from 15 to 20 degrees.
What type of procedure is needed, and with what frequency it should be performed, only the attending physician can say after examining the patient.
Indication for appointment
At home, many do not waitdoctor's appointment and carry out the procedure of cleaning the intestine with an enema. If this is an isolated case after poisoning or constipation due to improper food - an enema will bring only relief. But when its independent application becomes systematic, a mandatory consultation with a doctor is needed to establish the cause of the problem and eliminate it.
Only an enema is prescribed by a doctor: the benefits and harms of this procedure can be balanced, since such a procedure is only part of a comprehensive treatment of intestinal problems.
Most often, the cleaning procedure canto enter into the treatment of diseases such as chronic constipation of various origins, lazy bowels, and constipation due to taking certain medications. Also, this method may be included in the course of cleaning the body during medical fasting.
How often you can do enemas and what to do if the treatment was ineffective, the attending physician stipulates when prescribing a course of treatment.
How to carry out the procedure?
The technique of an enema is not complicated at all, and you can do it yourself at home, knowing some of the features.
Before conducting a cleansing enema you needprepare an infusion fluid. 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 enough to use 1-1.5 liters.
The enema itself is a rubber container that resembles a heating pad in appearance, a rubber hose with a valve and a tip. All components of the enema must be clean and sterilized.
A person who needs to clean the intestines shouldtake a comfortable position: the most successful is lying on the left side. The plastic end of the rubber hose is lubricated with petroleum jelly or other neutral grease and gently inserted into the rectum. After that, the valve on the fluid supply hose opens.
If the fluid enters too quickly, causing discomfort, 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, then empty it.
If the procedure is carried out correctly, then after it the person should feel the ease and comfort in the stomach.
Enema for children: features
Enema can be shown to children in case ofpainful constipation or poisoning. Many women do not dare to do an enema on their own, afraid 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 it to medical workers. The children's intestines are more tender and it is much easier to injure them than an adult.
If the enema is performed at home for children,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 an accurately calculated small volume of liquid.
In the case of the treatment of children, it is important not to abuse self-treatment, and with the slightest signs of deterioration of the condition, urgently seek qualified help.
Frequency is important!
No wonder many people having problems withintestines, worried about the question: how often can you do an enema? The fact is that an excessive fascination with this seemingly innocuous procedure can lead not only to the aggravation of the existing problem, but also cause the development of new diseases.
Without prejudice to the microflora and intestinal motility, an enema can be performed once every 2 weeks.
Using a medical fasting regimen, diet ormethods of cleaning the body, it is important to remember that an enema in no case can not be used every day. The minimum allowed break between procedures is the day. The maximum course is 7–10 days. Choosing for yourself a similar technique, it is not superfluous to consult with your doctor if you can use specifically such an amount of enema: the therapist can determine the indications and contraindications of this procedure based on the results of the examination.
What will happen if abused?
For people who suffer from chronicconstipation, the use of enemas is not rarely the only way to empty the intestines. And a person can become addicted - you don’t need to change anything and heal, you can do an enema once every two or three days, and the problem is solved.
But such an approach triggers a cyclical mechanism: the intestine is gradually “unlearned” to work, emptying is becoming more and more difficult, and again an enema is not enough.
Therefore, if the need for enema arisesmore than twice a month, you should immediately visit a specialist. He will prescribe a corrective diet, mild laxatives and additional tests. Enema is not a cure, it is a temporary remedy.
In addition, frequent intervention in the intestinesviolates 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 important to observe the frequency and rulesbowel cleansing procedures. Do not abuse the enemas, it is better to pay more attention to your diet, drinking regime and physical activity, and then you will forget about the enema for many years!
