Cleansing enema solution at home

If you are planning an appointment with a proctologist

, then you need to prepare the rectum accordingly, that is, clean it by giving a cleansing enema. If you have severe pain or quite heavy bleeding, then you do not need to give an enema before the initial medical examination. Do not injure the sore areas again. The doctor will conduct a minimal instrumental examination (anoscopy), and without this preparation it will be enough to have a “chair” before the examination. A cleansing enema is performed no later than 2 hours before examination by a proctologist, usually twice. Also, you should not eat foods that cause flatulence the day before. If you have an appointment in the evening, but there is no way to prepare during the day, then a cleansing enema can be given after the morning “stool”.

Cleansing enema - indications

A cleansing enema is indicated in several cases. The procedure has one goal - to cleanse the intestines of feces.

✔ The procedure is carried out for persistent constipation.

✔ An enema is given to remove toxic substances in case of poisoning.

✔ A cleansing enema is necessary before surgery.

✔ The procedure is prescribed before childbirth.

✔ Before X-ray examinations of the digestive tract.

✔ A cleansing enema is prescribed for endoscopic examinations of the colon.

Cleansing enemas are contraindicated for acute inflammatory and erosive-ulcerative lesions of the colon mucosa. You cannot give a cleansing enema for some acute surgical diseases of the abdominal organs. This is acute appendicitis, peritonitis. A cleansing enema is also contraindicated for gastrointestinal bleeding, disintegrating colon tumors, and in the first days after surgery in the abdominal organs. An enema is also contraindicated in cases of severe cardiovascular insufficiency.

Scheme for colon cleansing with enemas

There is a developed scheme for performing cleansing enemas before starting any treatment or in parallel with it. Cleansing with enemas according to the scheme cleanses the body of toxins. Before starting treatment for any chronic skin disease, a cleansing enema is necessary.

Colon cleansing with enemas is carried out according to the following scheme

Characteristics and classification

Esmarch mug for colon cleansing

Enemas are characterized by a whole set of features, which includes their purpose, composition, volume, temperature and amount of injected solution. Based on these characteristics, there is a certain classification of such a medical procedure, which is as follows:

1. Types of enemas by purpose. These include: cleansing (to cleanse the body of toxic substances); medicinal (a medicinal liquid is injected into the body for a certain time); nutritious (nutrients are introduced into the body to support its vitality); erotic (medical procedure aimed at obtaining sexual satisfaction); psychotropic (causing alcoholic or drug intoxication from the introduction of alcoholic or narcotic substances into the body); ritual (used in various cult sects as a rite of purification).
2. Types of enemas based on the volume of substance administered. They are divided into: microenemas (the volume of the medicinal substance is 10 - 100 ml); cleansing enemas (the volume of the administered substance is approximately 1.5 - 2 liters to cleanse toxic substances); siphon enemas (the volume of the substance per procedure is 15 - 20 liters, which is poured in portions of 1 - 2 liters).
3. Types of enemas according to the composition of the substance. They are:

• Simple
• Soapy
• Glycerin
• Medicinal
• Hypertonic composition
• Oil composition
• Oxygen filling
• With additives of food acids (citric acid).

Types of enemas according to temperature indicator are divided into:

1. Cold enemas (the temperature of the injected substance should be below room temperature)
2. Hot enemas (the temperature of the injected liquid should be 40 - 45°C)
3. Cool enemas (the temperature of the substance should be at room temperature)
4. Warm (the temperature of the injected liquid should be slightly higher than normal human temperature and not exceed 40°C).

It is worth noting that of the types of enemas considered, some are often used in practice and are included in the treatment process as one of the main procedures, while others have become history and are practically not used anywhere. They are only described in medical textbooks and encyclopedias. An example of such a historical enema would be a tobacco or nutritional type.

Esmarch's irrigator

Esmarch's irrigator.
Photo: Social networks A cleansing enema is given using a special rubber or glass Esmarch mug. Esmarch's mug is a special tank with a hole with a volume of one to two liters.

A special rubber tube about one and a half meters long is attached to the mug. At the end of the tube there is a special rubber or plastic tip. There is also a special tap at the end of the tube, with which you can regulate the flow of water from the mug into the rectum.

How much water is required for an enema?

For a cleansing enema, an adult needs from one to one and a half liters of warm water. Recommended water temperature is from 25-35°C.

To stimulate contractions of the colon during atonic constipation, you can use water at a lower temperature - from 12 to 20 °C.

If it is necessary to relax the smooth muscles of the intestines during spastic constipation, you need to use water at a temperature of 37 to 42°C.

To enhance the cleansing effect of the procedure, you can add 2-3 tablespoons of glycerin or any vegetable oil to the enema water. You can dissolve one tablespoon of baby soap shavings in water.

What solutions can be used

The solution for a cleansing enema can be different; in some cases, they take ordinary pre-boiled water, cooled to room temperature. The following liquids are most often used to cleanse the intestines:

• a weak solution of kitchen salt;
• baking soda solution;
• faint pink solution of manganese;
• decoction of chamomile;
• decoction of herbs and yarrow flowers.

Prepare the solution immediately before the manipulation; the water used for the cleansing enema must be boiled.

Any enema solutions should be at room temperature. Very hot liquid will lead to strong absorption of toxins, and cold liquid can provoke an inflammatory process.

How to give an enema at home - algorithm of actions

✔ Pour the required amount of water into Esmarch’s mug, open the tap and fill the rubber tube, displacing the air from it. Lubricate the tip of the tube with Vaseline. Close the tap and hang the mug above the level of the bed on which the patient will lie.

✔ The patient should undress and lie on the bed, turning on his left side. Legs need to be bent at the knees and pulled towards the stomach. In this position, the anus is more accessible for insertion of the tip. A medical oilcloth should be placed under the patient’s buttocks; one edge of the oilcloth should be lowered into the pelvis.

✔ With the first and second fingers of the left hand, spread the patient’s buttocks, and with the right hand, using careful rotational movements, carefully insert the tip of the tube lubricated with Vaseline into the rectum to a depth of 10–12 cm.

✔ At the beginning of inserting the tip, insert the first 3-4 centimeters of the tip towards the patient’s navel. Then turn the tip according to the lumen of the rectum and continue insertion parallel to the coccyx.

✔ After inserting the tip, you need to open the tap and introduce liquid, raising the mug to a height of up to one meter.

✔ If water does not flow, you need to push the tip back a little and increase the water pressure, while raising the mug higher. If the patient complains of pain in the colon, reduce the pressure.

✔ After completing the fluid administration, the patient must be patient and refrain from bowel movements for 5-10 minutes.

Due to the stimulation of colon peristalsis, when administering an enema, the lower intestines are emptied of feces. We can say that a cleansing enema is a simple and painless cleansing of the intestines.

What is anal douche?

Before engaging in anal intercourse, this causes many to worry about hygienic and aesthetic considerations, even if you have previously had a bowel movement after wanting a thorough cleansing of the colon before anal douche.

Even when using a condom, contact with feces is undesirable for many, especially during anal intercourse.

As children, we learned that anything that "comes out the back" is "fluff." Even adults can rarely talk calmly about their discharge. There is a possibility that in the zeal of sexual struggle something of the “pfui” always slips through.

For some it's not a big deal, they wash it off and that's good. However, most users emphasize the fact that the colon (rectum) undergoes a thorough cleansing of the colon before penetration (such as butt plug play or anal chain with its anal beads).

How to give an enema to a child

The algorithm of actions when performing the procedure on a child differs significantly from giving an enema to an adult. A cleansing enema is a useful procedure, but its effect depends on the amount of water introduced, the pressure of the incoming fluid, the temperature of the water and the speed of its administration.

Without consultation with the doctor, in case of acute abdominal pain, an enema is contraindicated for a child. Enema devices are disinfected by boiling after each use.

✘ For children under 3 years of age, an enema is given with a rubber balloon, that is, a medical bulb.

✘ For children in the first months of life, use canister No. 2, it is designed for 50 ml.

✘ For 3-11 month old babies, use a cylinder No. 2.5, it is designed for 100 ml.

✘ For children aged one to three years, balloon No. 4 is used. Its capacity is 170 ml.

✘ For older children, an enema is given using a special device: an irrigator. This is a rubber bag or kettle to which a tube with a rubber or plastic tip is attached for safe insertion into the rectum. The length of the tube is up to one and a half meters. The higher the irrigator is raised during the procedure, the higher the pressure of the injected fluid. The recommended height for lifting is from 0.5 to 1 meter.

Treatment of hemorrhoids at Alan Clinic

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• Most of our patients get rid of hemorrhoids in just 1 - 3 visits to the proctologist. Therefore, out-of-town patients often come to us.
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How much water is needed to give a child an enema?

Medical pears.
Photo: Social networks Infants are given 50 to 100 ml of water. Children from one to five years old: 150 to 300 ml of water. Children aged six to fourteen years tolerate the introduction of 300–700 ml of boiled water well.

Liquid should be injected into the rectum slowly, without a sudden increase in pressure. In accordance with the doctor's recommendations, a cleansing enema may contain additives in the form of table salt and baking soda. The recommended dose is 0.5–1 teaspoon per glass of water.

An enema with only water is most often not prescribed for children. Your doctor may recommend adding vegetable oil: 1–4 tablespoons of vegetable oil per 0.5–1 cup of chamomile tea. The water temperature can fluctuate between 27-38 °C.