Enema for constipation
The content of the article:
- How does
- Enema for constipation at home: advantages and disadvantages
- Kinds
-
How to do an enema correctly
- Cleansing
- Microclysters
- Ready micro enema
- Features of use in a child
- Video
Enema is a colon cleansing method that is used for many diseases. The procedure allows you to loosen the feces, facilitates their excretion. Enema with cold water helps to strengthen peristalsis, warm water - relieve spasms. For the procedure, you can use not only water, but also glycerin, soap and salt solutions, vegetable oils, herbal decoctions.
Enema is an effective remedy for constipation, but it cannot eliminate the cause of the problem
How does
The essence of the procedure is the introduction of liquid or drugs into the lumen of the rectum through the anus. The mechanism of action depends on the type of enema (composition, quantity). The method allows you to achieve the following effects:
- The ingress of liquid into the lumen of the rectum softens the stool.
- Cool water stimulates intestinal motility, warm water has an antispasmodic effect.
- Oil enema for constipation has a softening effect. Glycerin and castor oil lubricate the walls of the rectum and facilitate the excretion of feces.
- Some drugs that are injected into the intestines stimulate peristalsis.
- Decoctions of herbs (chamomile, calendula) reduce inflammation and soothe the intestinal mucosa.
- Bowel cleansing is often carried out in a hospital setting, but you can put an enema at home.
Enema for constipation at home: advantages and disadvantages
Enema is just one way to relieve constipation. Like any other treatment, it has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages include the simplicity and affordability of the procedure:
- the patient can put an enema himself, it is not necessary to visit the hospital;
- the main components for the procedure are always at home;
- enema allows you to quickly get rid of constipation.
This type of treatment also has disadvantages. Frequent injection of water or other liquid into the rectal lumen irritates the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the procedure is not suitable for long-term use. In addition, frequent enema is addictive, and the patient is no longer able to empty himself. Older people often experience this side effect.
Kinds
In most cases, a cleansing enema is prescribed to treat constipation, in which about 1.5 liters of liquid (for an adult) is injected into the rectum. Less commonly, microclysters are used, in which 10–100 ml of drugs are injected. Depending on the composition of the injected solutions, water, hypertensive, oil, glycerin, soap, and medicinal enema are isolated.
| Variety | Composition, features | What is needed for the procedure |
| Simple (water) |
This is the most common type of procedure. Boiled water is injected into the rectum: • cool - with atonic constipation; • warm - for spasms. In no case should hot water (40 ° C) be injected, as this can lead to burns of the intestinal mucosa. |
Warm or cool boiled water. |
| Hypertensive | A hypertonic saline solution is injected inside. It is prescribed for constipation when water load is contraindicated. For example, with heart failure, kidney disease, peripheral edema of another genesis. The amount of hypertonic saline solution is 50-100 ml, the liquid is injected using a pear. |
Hypertonic saline solution. Cooking recipe: 90 g of salt must be dissolved in 1 liter of water, stir thoroughly. |
| Oil | Castor oil or liquid paraffin is injected into the rectum. Oil enema has a softening effect and is used for chronic constipation. Its advantage is that the oils do not irritate the intestinal mucosa. | Castor oil or liquid paraffin. |
| Glycerin | You can use enemas with pure glycerin or an aqueous solution. Glycerin stimulates intestinal peristalsis, therefore it can be used for atonic constipation. | Glycerol. |
| Soapy | Soap solutions also stimulate peristalsis. The disadvantage is their irritating effect on the intestinal wall. |
Soap solution. Recipe: grate baby soap, 1 tbsp. l. Dissolve soap in 1 liter of water. |
| Medicinal |
Medicinal substances can also be injected into the rectum, since the intestinal mucosa has a high absorption capacity. A decoction of chamomile or calendula is often used. |
Chamomile decoction. It will be needed for cooking: 4 tbsp. l. dry chamomile flowers, 1 liter of water. |
How to do an enema correctly
Before proceeding with the procedure, you need to read the instructions, prepare the necessary components.
Cleansing
For the procedure, you will need an Esmarch mug, water or broth, petroleum jelly. Step-by-step instruction:
- fix the mug with water at a height of 1.5 m;
- grease the tip with petroleum jelly, put on the hose;
- get on all fours or lie on your left side, bending your right leg;
- insert the tip into the anus;
- open the valve, release the water;
- hold the liquid for 2 minutes;
- empty the intestines.
Microclysters
For setting microclysters, you will need a pear, saline solution or other liquid, petroleum jelly. How to put a micro enema:
- collect liquid into a pear;
- grease the tip with vaseline;
- lie on your left side with your right leg bent;
- insert the tip into the anus to a depth of 3-3.5 cm;
- introduce the contents of the pear into the intestines;
- hold for 3 minutes;
- empty the intestines.
Ready micro enema
For the treatment of constipation, you can use ready-made microclysters, which are sold in the pharmacy: Norgalax, Mikrolax, Normakol.
Mode of application:
- remove the protective cap;
- insert the pointed part of the cannula tube into the anus;
- squeeze the tube and release the contents into the intestines;
- remove the cannula tube.
Pharmacies sell ready-made preparations in the form of microclysters
Features of use in a child
Constipation is a common problem not only in adults but also in children. An enema can also be used to treat babies. There are some peculiarities - the volume of liquid and the depth of insertion of the tip change. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the rectum in children. So, the volume of fluid depends on the age of the child:
- newborns - 25 ml;
- up to 2 months - 40 ml;
- up to 4 months - 60 ml;
- up to 9 months - 120 ml;
- up to a year - 180 ml;
- 1-2 years - 250 ml.
The procedure is carried out with a pear, you can use water or a decoction of chamomile. For a child under 1 year old, the tip of the pear is inserted to a depth of 2 cm, over a year - by 3 cm. During the introduction, the child must be laid on his stomach.
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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