What are enemas and how do they work. Are enemas safe for treating constipation. What are the different types of enemas available. Can enemas have side effects or risks. How effective are enemas compared to other constipation treatments.

Understanding Enemas: Purpose and Function

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid designed to cleanse the colon and stimulate bowel movements. They have been used for centuries as a remedy for chronic constipation and to prepare patients for certain medical procedures. But what exactly are enemas and how do they work?

An enema involves introducing liquid into the rectum and lower colon through the anus. This liquid helps to soften stool, stimulate muscle contractions in the bowels, and flush out accumulated waste. The fluid is typically retained for a short period before being expelled along with loosened stool and debris.

Enemas can be administered by medical professionals in clinical settings or self-administered at home using over-the-counter kits. They are generally used for two main purposes:

• Treating constipation and promoting bowel movements
• Cleansing the colon before diagnostic tests or surgeries

Do enemas provide relief for chronic constipation? For many people struggling with ongoing constipation issues, enemas can offer temporary relief by softening hardened stool and stimulating evacuation. However, they are not typically recommended as a long-term solution and should be used sparingly under medical guidance.

Types of Enemas: Cleansing vs. Retention

There are two main categories of enemas – cleansing enemas and retention enemas. Understanding the differences can help you choose the most appropriate option for your needs.

Cleansing Enemas

Cleansing enemas are designed to be held briefly in the rectum, usually for just a few minutes. Their primary purpose is to flush out the colon quickly. Common types include:

• Water or saline enemas
• Epsom salt enemas
• Sodium phosphate enemas
• Lemon juice enemas
• Apple cider vinegar enemas
• Soap suds enemas

Retention Enemas

Retention enemas are meant to be held in the bowel for an extended period, typically at least 15 minutes. They often contain ingredients that soften stool or provide other purported benefits. Examples include:

• Coffee enemas
• Mineral oil enemas
• Probiotic enemas
• Herbal enemas

How do you choose between cleansing and retention enemas? Cleansing enemas are generally better for quick relief of constipation, while retention enemas may be used for more specific therapeutic purposes. Always consult a healthcare provider before trying any new type of enema.

The Science Behind Enemas: How They Affect Your Body

To understand how enemas work, it’s important to examine their effects on the body. When fluid is introduced into the rectum and colon, it triggers several physiological responses:

1. Mechanical stimulation: The presence of fluid stretches the colon, stimulating nerve endings that trigger peristalsis (muscle contractions that move stool).
2. Osmotic effect: Some enema solutions draw water into the colon, softening stool and increasing its volume.
3. Lubrication: Oil-based enemas can help lubricate the colon, making it easier for stool to pass.
4. Chemical stimulation: Certain enema ingredients may irritate the colon lining, promoting faster evacuation.

Are enemas more effective than oral laxatives? While enemas can provide faster relief in some cases, they are generally not recommended for regular use. Oral laxatives are often preferred for ongoing constipation management due to their convenience and lower risk of complications.

Potential Benefits of Enemas Beyond Constipation Relief

While the primary use of enemas is to alleviate constipation, some proponents claim they offer additional health benefits. These purported benefits include:

• Detoxification of the colon
• Improved digestion and nutrient absorption
• Enhanced immune function
• Relief from headaches and allergies
• Increased energy and mental clarity

Can enemas really detoxify your body? It’s important to note that while enemas can help remove waste from the colon, there is limited scientific evidence supporting claims of broader detoxification effects. The human body has its own sophisticated detoxification systems, primarily the liver and kidneys.

Do enemas improve overall health and well-being? Some individuals report feeling better after using enemas, but these effects may be largely due to the relief of constipation rather than any systemic benefits. More research is needed to substantiate claims of wide-ranging health improvements from enema use.

Risks and Side Effects: What You Need to Know

While enemas can be helpful in certain situations, they also carry potential risks and side effects that should be carefully considered:

• Electrolyte imbalance: Frequent or improper use of enemas can disrupt the body’s delicate balance of electrolytes, potentially leading to serious health issues.
• Dehydration: Some types of enemas can cause excessive fluid loss, leading to dehydration if not properly managed.
• Bowel perforation: Improper insertion of enema equipment can, in rare cases, cause injury or perforation of the bowel wall.
• Infection: Using unclean equipment or contaminated solutions can introduce harmful bacteria into the colon.
• Dependency: Regular use of enemas may lead to dependency, making it difficult for the bowels to function normally without them.
• Disruption of gut microbiome: Frequent enemas can flush out beneficial gut bacteria, potentially impacting digestive health.

How can you minimize the risks associated with enema use? If you choose to use enemas, follow these safety guidelines:

1. Use only as directed by a healthcare professional
2. Maintain strict hygiene when preparing and administering enemas
3. Use appropriate equipment designed for enema administration
4. Avoid overuse or frequent administration of enemas
5. Stop use and seek medical attention if you experience pain, bleeding, or other concerning symptoms

Alternatives to Enemas for Constipation Management

While enemas can provide relief for occasional constipation, they are not recommended for long-term use. Consider these alternative approaches for managing constipation:

• Dietary changes: Increasing fiber intake and staying well-hydrated can promote regular bowel movements.
• Regular exercise: Physical activity helps stimulate digestive function and promote bowel regularity.
• Over-the-counter laxatives: Various oral laxatives are available for occasional constipation relief.
• Stool softeners: These products help moisten and soften stool, making it easier to pass.
• Probiotics: Beneficial gut bacteria can support digestive health and regular bowel movements.
• Biofeedback therapy: This technique can help retrain the muscles involved in bowel movements.

Which constipation management approach is right for you? The best method depends on your individual situation, underlying causes of constipation, and overall health. Consult with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan.

When to Seek Medical Advice About Enema Use

While enemas can be purchased over-the-counter, it’s important to know when professional medical guidance is necessary. Consult a healthcare provider before using enemas if:

• You have chronic constipation or other ongoing digestive issues
• You’re considering using enemas regularly
• You have a history of colorectal problems or surgery
• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have a heart condition or kidney disease
• You’re taking medications that may interact with enema use

Is it safe to use enemas without medical supervision? While occasional use of gentle, water-based enemas may be safe for most healthy adults, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen, including enemas.

When should you seek immediate medical attention? If you experience severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fever, or signs of an allergic reaction after using an enema, seek medical care promptly.

The Future of Digestive Health: Beyond Traditional Enemas

As our understanding of digestive health evolves, new approaches to managing constipation and promoting colon health are emerging. Some promising developments include:

• Targeted probiotic therapies
• Personalized nutrition plans based on gut microbiome analysis
• Advanced biofeedback techniques for pelvic floor dysfunction
• Novel pharmaceutical interventions for chronic constipation
• Microbiome transplantation for restoring gut health

How might these advancements change the way we approach digestive health? As research progresses, we may see a shift towards more personalized, holistic approaches that address the root causes of digestive issues rather than relying on symptomatic treatments like enemas.

Will enemas become obsolete in the future? While enemas may continue to have a role in certain medical situations, ongoing research into gut health and new treatment modalities may reduce reliance on traditional enema use for managing constipation and other digestive concerns.

In conclusion, enemas can provide short-term relief for constipation and are useful in preparing for certain medical procedures. However, they should be used judiciously and under appropriate medical guidance. As our understanding of digestive health continues to grow, we may see new, more targeted approaches to managing bowel health that reduce the need for traditional enema use. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment options for your individual digestive health needs.

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Enemas are used to relieve constipation and cleanse the colon. Water- or saline-based enemas tend to carry the least risk. However, enemas can have side effects, such as disturbing your gut bacteria and affecting your body’s electrolyte balance.

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid intended to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of your bowel.

They have been used for hundreds of years to treat chronic constipation and prepare people for certain medical tests and surgeries (1).

Enemas can be administered by a medical professional or self-administered at home.

This article reviews different types of enemas, as well as their potential benefits and health concerns.

Constipation is a condition in which the natural movement of your stool slows down, making them hard, dry, and difficult to excrete. For many people, this can be a chronic problem that requires an intervention like an enema — or a laxative inserted rectally.

Enemas may also be prescribed to flush out your colon before certain diagnostic tests or surgeries. Your bowel needs to be empty before these procedures to reduce infection risk and prevent stool from getting in the way.

According to some enema advocates, when waste builds up in your colon over time, it leads to ailments like depression, fatigue, headaches, allergies, and irritability, and using enemas can provide relief.

While it’s true that many people with chronic constipation experience depression and other psychological symptoms, evidence is lacking to suggest that waste buildup directly leads to the other aforementioned effects (2, 3).

There are two main types of enemas — cleansing and retention.

Cleansing enemas

Cleansing enemas are water-based and meant to be held in the rectum for a short time to flush your colon. Once injected, they’re retained for a few minutes until your body rids itself of the fluid, along with loose matter and impacted stool in your bowel.

Some of the most common cleansing enemas include (3, 4):

• Water or saline. The least irritating of all options, water or saline — salt water that mimics your body’s sodium concentration — are used primarily for their ability to expand the colon and mechanically promote defecation.
• Epsom salt. This is similar to a water or saline enema, but magnesium-rich Epsom salt is said to be more effective at relaxing bowel muscles and relieving constipation.
• Sodium phosphate. This is a common over-the-counter enema that works by irritating your rectum, causing it to expand and release waste.
• Lemon juice. Lemon juice mixed with warm, filtered water is said to balance the pH of your body while cleansing your colon.
• Apple cider vinegar. Advocates say that mixing apple cider vinegar with warm, filtered water can quickly clear the bowel and may have other antiviral healing effects on your digestive system.
• Soap suds. Adding castile soap, or another mild soap with minimal additives, to water mildly irritates the bowel, which encourages the rapid excretion of stool.

Retention enemas

Retention enemas are designed to be held in your bowel for an extended period — usually a minimum of 15 minutes — before being released. Retention enemas may be water- or oil-based, which softens the stool and makes it easier for your body to expel.

Some of the most common retention enemas include (5, 6, 7):

• Coffee. Coffee enemas are a mixture of brewed, caffeinated coffee and water thought to promote bile removal from the colon. They were popularized by Max Gerson, a physician who used them to help treat people with cancer.
• Mineral oil. This type of enema works primarily by lubricating waste inside of your colon, sealing it with water, and promoting its removal.
• Probiotic. Mixing probiotics with water may cleanse your bowel while helping colonize your good gut bacteria. Lactobacillus reuteri enemas have been shown to reduce inflammation in children with ulcerative colitis.
• Herbal. Some people use herbs like garlic, catnip tea, or red raspberry leaf mixed with water to make herbal enemas with purported nutritional, infection-fighting, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Summary

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid that are intended to cleanse your bowel or treat chronic constipation. The two main types — cleansing and retention enemas — come in a variety of solutions and can be injected at home.

Enemas can treat constipation and clear out your bowel. However, many people choose to use enemas for other purported health benefits (8, 9).

Some advocates claim that enemas can support weight loss, remove toxins and heavy metals from your body, and improve your skin, immunity, blood pressure, and energy levels.

Still, evidence is limited to suggest that enemas are effective for these purposes or that they benefit everyone who uses them. Most evidence in support of their effectiveness is anecdotal, despite their widespread use in modern medicine (10).

Enemas appear to be most effective when used to relieve chronic constipation in a medical setting, though they come with many risks, especially when self-administered at home (11, 12).

Summary

Enemas can be effective in cleansing the bowel and treating chronic constipation, but most evidence in their favor is anecdotal rather than science based.

Though enemas can clean out your bowel, you should consider their risks and take certain precautions before using one.

May interrupt your body’s natural balances

Enemas may disturb your gut bacteria and throw off your body’s electrolyte balance.

Research shows that enemas used in preparation for medical procedures significantly disrupt gut bacteria, though the effect appears to be temporary. However, enemas that are split and administered in two doses seem to have fewer effects on the microbiome (13, 14).

Electrolyte disturbances have been observed with various types of enemas, such as large-volume soap suds enemas and those containing minerals.

For instance, there have been reports of Epsom salt enemas causing death from magnesium overdose. In another case, an older man died from severe electrolyte disruption caused by taking two sodium phosphate enemas (3, 15, 16).

Other reports note that the overuse of enemas to flush out the colon may lead to severe dehydration, which can be fatal (17).

Enema solutions can harm your bowel

Lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and coffee enemas are highly acidic, and scientific evidence to suggest their effectiveness or safety is lacking.

What’s more, the evidence shows that their acidity and makeup can harm your bowel and lead to rectal burns, inflammation, infections, and even death (1).

Similarly, there are reports of children being given acidic hydrogen peroxide enemas, which resulted in an inflamed colon, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and long-term complications (18).

Furthermore, in some people, herbal enemas have caused internal bleeding that required a blood transfusion and removal of the colon (1).

Dirty or improperly used tools can cause infection and damage

If you self-administer an enema at home, it’s critical to make sure that the tools you use are sterile, meaning they’re free of harmful germs. The use of dirty tools increases your risk of contracting a potentially dangerous infection.

Improper tool use may also cause physical damage to your rectum, anus, or colon. Studies indicate that perforation of the bowel is not a rare complication of frequent enema use that could put your internal organs at risk of infection (3, 12, 19).

Sterile enema injection kits, which usually include a bucket, tubing, solution, and sometimes a bulb, can be found online or at many local drug stores. They come with directions for cleaning and safe use.

Summary

Though enemas can be safe and effective, they come with many risks, especially when administered at home. Improperly used enemas can cause potentially life-threatening physical and chemical damage to your rectum or colon.

If you’re mainly considering an enema to stimulate and clean out your digestive system, there may be other, less invasive options.

Some potential alternatives to enemas, which can promote waste excretion and bowel regularity, include (20, 21, 22, 23):

• drinking caffeinated coffee, which is known to stimulate defecation
• staying well hydrated with water
• getting regular exercise like walking, running, biking, or aerobics
• trying an over-the-counter oral laxative like magnesium
• increasing your fiber intake by eating whole plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

If you have severe constipation or other medical issues, speak to your medical provider to determine whether an enema would be a safe and appropriate treatment.

Summary

Less risky alternatives to enemas that can help stimulate bowel movements include staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and following a healthy, high-fiber diet.

Enemas are used to relieve constipation and cleanse the colon. Water- or oil-based solutions are injected into the bowel through your rectum to expel impacted waste.

Mild enemas like water or saline carry the least risk, but you should consult your healthcare provider before using one at home. Furthermore, ensuring the proper use of sterile injection tools is very important for safety.

Many people swear by enemas to promote regularity and prevent constipation, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited.

Other, less risky alternatives may be a better option in most cases.

Enema Constipation | Everyday Health

Some common steps in administering an enema include:

• Drink one or two glasses of water prior to the enema, as it can cause you to become dehydrated.
• Lie on your stomach with your knees pulled under you.
• Lubricate the enema tube and gently insert it into your rectum.
• If you’re using a disposable enema, gently squeeze the contents into your rectum. If you’re using an enema bag with a homemade solution, hold the bag up and allow gravity to deliver the contents.
• Once the bag is empty, remove the tube from your rectum.
• Wait in that position until you feel the need to move your bowels. You should feel a powerful urge within 2 to 10 minutes. Try to hold the enema in for at least 5 minutes to achieve maximum benefit.

Health Concerns Regarding Enemas

Because enemas can cause dehydration, overuse of enemas can create serious health problems. Use of enemas for constipation on a regular basis can lead to an electrolyte imbalance in the body called hyponatremia, in which the blood becomes diluted and its salt content becomes lower than normal. Hyponatremia can cause muscle spasms and swelling of the brain that leads to mental impairment. This is a particular concern when using enemas with plain tap water.

On the other extreme, overuse of phosphate enemas for constipation can lead to a condition called hyperphosphatemia, in which the blood levels of phosphate salts become elevated.

Be sure to consult with your doctor before using an enema, and exhaust all other possibilities first.

Learn more in the Everyday Health Digestive Health Center.

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Contrast enema | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

This information will help you prepare for your contrast enema at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK).

A contrast enema is an x-ray examination of the colon. It is done with a contrast agent such as barium or iodine solution, also called iohexol (Omnipaque ^® ), with air, or a combination of the two. The contrast agent makes it easier to examine the colon during x-ray examination.

Most people need to have their colon cleansed (prepare the intestines) before a contrast enema. Please check with your healthcare provider prior to your procedure to determine what preparation you need.

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Before your procedure

If you are hospitalized before your contrast enema, your ward nurse will give you everything you need to prepare your bowels. If you are coming to the hospital from home for the contrast enema, check with your doctor about preparations. Most people need to purchase everything listed below a few days before the procedure.

• Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX®). You will need 1 vial (238 g).
• Gatorade® (light in color, not red or purple). You will need 2 bottles (32 oz. (950 ml) each).
• Bisacodyl (Dulcolax®), 5 mg tablets. You will need 4 tablets.

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The Day Before Your Procedure

Follow the No Treatment Diet

Follow the No Treatment Diet the day before your procedure. Drink plenty of other fluids besides water, coffee, and tea. You need to get calories from these liquids so that you don’t get weak.

Bowel Preparation Instructions

At 3:00 pm , take 2 bisacodyl (Dulcolax) tablets.

At 17:00:

• Divide MiraLAX into two halves. Pour half MiraLAX into each bottle of Gatorade (32 oz. (950 ml) each).
• Shake until completely mixed.
• Drink a glass (8 ounces (240 ml)) every 30 minutes until you have finished both bottles.

At 7:00 pm , take the remaining 2 bisacodyl (Dulcolax) tablets.

Instructions for eating and drinking before the procedure

• Do not eat after midnight the night before your procedure. This also applies to lozenges and chewing gum.
• Between midnight and two hours before your scheduled arrival time at the hospital, you can drink no more than 12 ounces (350 ml) of water (see picture).
• Refrain from eating and drinking two hours before your scheduled arrival time at the hospital. This also applies to water.

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Day of procedure

Things to remember

• Take only the medicines your doctor has told you to take on the morning of your procedure. Wash them down with a few small sips of water.

What to bring

• List of medications you are taking.
• Medications for breathing problems (such as an inhaler), if needed.
• Medicines for chest pain, if you use them.
• If you have a stoma, bring an extra bag and supplies with you.

Where to Park

The MSK Garage is located on East 66 ^th Street between York Avenue and First Avenue. For parking pricing, call 212-639-2338.

To access the garage turn onto East 66 ^th Street off York Avenue. The garage is located about a quarter of a block from York Avenue, on the right (north) side of the street. A pedestrian tunnel leads from the garage to the hospital.

There are other garages located on East 69 ^th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, East 67 ^th Street between York Avenue and First Avenue, and on East 65 ^th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue .

Where to go

You need to come to the MSK main building. Enter through the entrance at 425 East 67 ^th Street, between First Avenue and York Avenue, and take elevator A to the 2nd floor ^.

What to expect on the day of your procedure

When you arrive at the hospital, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff will ask you several times to spell and spell your name and date of birth. This is necessary for your safety. People with the same or similar names can have the procedure on the same day.

After you change into a hospital gown, the technologist and radiologist will talk about the procedure and answer your questions. You will be helped to lie flat on your back on the X-ray table.

You will have an x-ray of your abdomen to make sure there is no stool (feces) in your colon. The radiologist will insert a small tube into the rectum so that the contrast agent can flow into the large intestine. At this point, you may feel spasms. The radiologist will monitor the passage of the contrast agent through the colon on a monitor screen while the machine takes x-rays.

During the procedure, the top of the table may be tilted up or down and you may be assisted in different positions. This will help the contrast agent cover the entire surface of the colon.

The technologist will remove the tube from your rectum and take you to the bathroom where you can release the contrast material and air. After that, one or more x-rays will be taken. After the radiologist has reviewed all x-rays, you can leave.

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After your procedure

You can return to your normal diet and lifestyle unless your doctor or nurse tells you otherwise.

If you have been given a barium enema, your stools will be white for the next few days until all of the barium has been eliminated. Barium can cause constipation, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to help move it out of the intestines. Some people will need to take a laxative such as magnesium hydroxide or an enema to get all the barium out of the body. If your stool color does not return to normal within a few days of the barium enema, ask your doctor if you need to take a laxative.

Test results are available from your doctor after 2 business days.

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Contact Information

If you have any questions about the contrast enema, talk to your doctor, nurse, or another member of your healthcare team at the Department of Radiology. You can call them Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at 212-639-7298.

After 8:00 pm, on weekends and public holidays, call 212-639-2000 and ask the doctor on duty.

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Coprogram, general analysis of feces, rules for preparing for the delivery of analysis, interpretation of the results and indicators of the norm.

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We remind you that independent interpretation of the results is not allowed, the information below is for reference only.

Coprogram, general analysis of feces: indications for the appointment, rules for preparing for the delivery of the analysis, interpretation of the results and indicators of the norm.

Indications for study appointment

Coprogram is a laboratory study of feces, which evaluates its various characteristics and identifies some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including inflammation and dysbacteriosis of the intestinal microflora.

In the absence of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, all food that a person consumes while passing through the gastrointestinal tract is subjected to intense action of gastric juice, bile, digestive enzymes, etc. As a result, food products are broken down into simple substances that are absorbed through the intestinal mucosa into the blood and lymph. Undigested food residues enter the large intestine, where water is partially absorbed from them. Normally, fecal masses enter the rectum, approximately 70% water and 30% dry food residues.

If any function of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed, failures begin in the process of absorption of food products, which is reflected in the characteristics of feces.

Thus, a general analysis of feces is prescribed for the diagnosis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (pathology of the liver, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, small and large intestine, gallbladder and biliary tract), if intestinal infections are suspected, to evaluate the results of therapy for gastrointestinal diseases , during the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms and genetic pathologies, as well as to establish intolerance to various products.

Preparing for procedure

Preparation for the coprogram requires compliance with some recommendations that allow you to get the correct result of the study.

• Avoid taking laxatives, enzymatic preparations, sorbents, rectal suppositories, oils.
• If possible, have a complete stool test no earlier than seven days after you stop taking antibiotics.
• Limit the intake of drugs and products that can change the color of feces three days before the test.

• On the eve of the study, do not carry out diagnostic procedures that irritate the anus and rectum (enemas, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy).

• After an x-ray examination of the stomach and intestines, fecal analysis should be taken no earlier than two days later.
• If it is necessary to detect hidden bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, a 4-5-day diet is required with the exception of meat, fish, eggs and green vegetables, as well as iron, magnesium and bismuth preparations.

Stool collection in a special container

You can take a special container for collecting feces at any INVITRO medical office or buy it at a pharmacy. Its use will prevent contamination of the collected biomaterial.

Stool collection can be performed independently at home after an independent act of defecation (and not after an enema). To do this, it is better to use a medical vessel or pot, thoroughly washed beforehand, or a disposable diaper.

Immediately after the act of defecation, the stool should be collected with a spatula into the container, filling it by about 30%. It is important that no traces of urine, menstrual flow or toilet water get into the collected biomaterial.

The resulting biomaterial must be delivered to the laboratory on the day of collection, the container can be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of +4 to +8°C for no more than 6-8 hours.

Biomaterial collection container

Deadline

Up to 4 working days (not including the day of taking the biomaterial).

What can affect the results

1. Failure to follow dietary recommendations, use of an enema, fluoroscopic or endoscopic examination performed shortly before the analysis.
2. Stool collection violation involving the use of a non-sterile biomaterial collection container or collection directly from the toilet bowl, resulting in the introduction of foreign microorganisms from urine, genital secretions, toilet water, etc.
3. Non-compliance with the conditions of storage and transportation of feces (the biomaterial was delivered to the laboratory later than the maximum set time from the moment of collection).

If the result of the coprogram seems incorrect to you, it is better to take the analysis again, following all the recommendations for preparation and collection rules.

Coprogram, general fecal analysis

You can submit a coprogram at the nearest INVITRO medical office. The list of offices where biomaterial is accepted for laboratory testing is presented in the “Addresses” section.

Interpretation of test results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. An accurate diagnosis is made by the doctor, using both the results of this examination and the necessary information from other sources: history, results of other examinations, etc.

Normal values ​​

Explanation of indicators

Consistency

Liquid feces may indicate excessively active intestinal motility, colitis, the presence of protozoal invasion.

Too tight stool indicates excessive absorption of fluid in the intestines, constipation, dehydration.

Foamy stool occurs when pancreatic insufficiency or violation of the secretory function of the stomach.

Mushy stools may indicate dyspepsia, colitis, or accelerated evacuation of feces from the large intestine.

Form

Pea-shaped feces are associated with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, ulcers, starvation, myxedema (mucous edema).

Feces in the form of a thin ribbon is noted in case of stenosis of the small intestine, as well as in the presence of neoplasms in it.

Color

Black color (tar color) can be caused by eating certain foods (currants, chokeberries, cherries), taking drugs with bismuth or iron, as well as bleeding in the stomach or duodenum, cirrhosis of the liver.

Red tint appears when bleeding in the large intestine.

Light brown stools occur in liver failure or blockage of the bile ducts.

Light-yellow color of feces occurs in pathologies of the pancreas and due to excessive consumption of dairy products.

Dark brown color indicates an excess of meat in the diet, as well as an increase in secretory function in the large intestine.

Green stool is a sign of typhoid fever.

Smell

A putrid odor occurs due to the formation of hydrogen sulfide in the intestines and indicates the presence of ulcerative colitis or tissue breakdown, tuberculosis, putrefactive dyspepsia.

A sour smell indicates an intensification of fermentation processes.

A fetid odor indicates a violation of the pancreas, a lack of bile entering the intestines.

Acidity

An increase in pH is observed in breastfed infants, in adults with putrefactive dyspepsia, as well as with high activity of the intestinal microflora.

Decreased pH occurs in case of violation of the absorption process in the small intestine, with excessive consumption of carbohydrates, with increased fermentation processes.

Mucus

Mucus can be found both on the surface of the feces and inside it, found in ulcerative colitis and constipation.

Blood

Blood in the feces is determined by bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract caused by neoplasms, polyps, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory processes.

An excess of bacteria and fungi may cause a false positive response.

Undigested food

Undigested food in the feces (lientorrhoea) indicates a violation of the function of the pancreas, chronic gastritis, accelerated peristalsis.

Undigested dietary fiber in stool analysis

Protein

The presence of protein in the feces indicates pathologies of the duodenum or stomach, colitis, enteritis, hemorrhoids and some other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Stercobilin

The absence or significant decrease in stool stercobilin (negative reaction to stercobilin) ​​indicates a blockage of the bile duct or a sharp decrease in the functional activity of the liver. An increase in the amount of stercobilin in the feces is observed with increased bile secretion, hemolytic jaundice.

Bilirubin

The detection of bilirubin in the feces of an adult indicates a violation of the process of its restoration in the intestine under the influence of microflora. This indicates intestinal dysbacteriosis, increased peristalsis, or taking antibacterial drugs during preparation for the test or shortly before.

Connective tissue and muscle fibers

They are underdigested remains of meat and occur with a lack of pancreatic enzymes.

Fat

Fat in the stool is one of the signs of insufficient pancreatic function or impaired bile secretion.

Excess fat in feces (steatorrhea)

Vegetable fiber

A large amount of digested vegetable fiber in the feces indicates a rapid passage of food through the stomach due to a decrease in its secretory function, the absence of hydrochloric acid in it, as well as an excess amount of bacteria in the large intestine and their penetration into the small intestine. Undigested fiber has no diagnostic value, since there are no enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract to break it down.

Starch

The increased content of starch in the feces, which appears with a lack of digestion processes in the stomach, small intestine and dysfunction of the pancreas, is called amylorrhea. In addition, a lot of starch can be found during diarrhea.

Intracellular starch granules in fecal analysis

Iodophilic flora (pathological)

The presence of pathological microflora (staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli, etc.) indicates a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine and, accordingly, dysbacteriosis. With the consumption of a large amount of carbohydrates, clostridia begin to multiply intensively, causing fermentative dysbiosis.

Crystals

Calcium oxalate crystals in feces indicate insufficiency of stomach function, helminthic invasions, allergies.
Tripelphosphate crystals indicate an increased putrefaction of proteins in the colon.

Epithelium

A significant amount of columnar epithelium in feces is found in acute and chronic colitis. The presence of squamous epithelial cells has no diagnostic value.

Leukocytes

Leukocytes in the feces appear in colitis and intestinal enteritis, dysentery, intestinal tuberculosis.

Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes appear in the stool with hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, ulcerative processes in the large intestine, with the decay of tumors.

Protozoa

Non-pathogenic protozoa are present in healthy individuals. Pathogenic can be detected in feces delivered to the laboratory no later than two hours after the collection of the biomaterial. Their presence indicates an invasion.

Helminth eggs

Helminth eggs in feces indicate helminth infestation.

Roundworm larvae of the genus Strongyloides in feces

Yeasts

May be present in feces during corticosteroid or antibacterial therapy. The presence of the fungus Candida albicans indicates intestinal damage.

Sources

1. Nomenclature of medical services (new edition). Approved by order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated October 13, 2017 No. 804n. Valid from 01.01.2018. As amended by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Russia dated March 5, 2020 N 148n (including as amended, entered into force on April 18, 2020).
2. Shakova Kh.Kh. Evaluation of the reliability of scatological research depending on the storage time of the material. Successes of modern natural science, journal. 2003. No. 8. S. 131-131.
3. Clinical guidelines “Gastritis and duodenitis”. Developed by: Russian Gastroenterological Association, Association “Endoscopic Society “RandO””. – 2021.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests.