Enema Administration: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks

An enema is a technique used to stimulate stool evacuation, usually to relieve constipation. How it’s done depends on the type of enema and whether you can do it at home or at the hospital.

The enema process helps push waste out of the rectum when you cannot do so alone. Enemas are available for purchase at pharmacies for home use, but you should ask a doctor or nurse for specific instructions to avoid injury.

Other types of enemas are administered to clean out the colon and better detect colon cancer and polyps. If you have concerns or worsening symptoms after an enema, ask a doctor right away.

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition. It occurs when the colon is unable to remove waste through the rectum. People with this condition have three or fewer bowel movements over a seven-day period. Mild constipation often occurs when you don’t eat enough fiber or drink enough water on a regular basis. Daily exercise also helps to prevent constipation.

An enema administration is most commonly used to clean the lower bowel. However, this is normally the last resort for constipation treatment. If diet and exercise are not enough to keep you regular, your doctor might recommend a laxative before trying an enema. In some cases, laxatives are used the night before an enema administration to encourage waste flow.

Enemas may also be used before medical examinations of the colon. Your doctor may order an enema prior to an X-ray of the colon to detect polyps so that they can get a clearer picture. This procedure may also be done prior to a colonoscopy.

Learn more: Colonoscopy »

There are several common types of enemas.

The purpose of a cleansing enema is to gently flush out the colon. It may be recommended prior to a colonoscopy or other medical examination. Constipation, fatigue, headaches, and backaches may be relieved by a cleansing enema. During a cleansing enema, a water-based solution with a small concentration of stool softener, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar is used to stimulate the movement of the large intestine. A cleansing enema should stimulate the bowels to quickly expel both the solution and any impacted fecal matter.

A retention enema also stimulates the bowels, but the solution that is used is intended to be “held” in the body for 15 minutes or more.

You may be asked to fast or follow special dietary instructions in the days prior to having an enema. Instructions may vary, depending on your doctor and your personal health needs.

If you plan to administer an enema at home, make sure that all of the equipment you are using has been sterilized and that you have a lubricant on hand. Pay careful attention to the way that you prepare the enema solution. You may have to mix it yourself with medicinal components.

To lessen the pressure felt in your colon, empty your bladder before you begin the enema. You may also want to place a towel or cloth down in the area between your bathtub and your toilet, in case fluid leaks out of your bowels when you get up to empty your colon. It’s important to measure and mark your enema tube the first time you use it so that you do not insert the tube more than 4 inches into your rectum.

At a medical office

If you are unfamiliar with enemas, you should consider having a medical professional administer one for you. They can also offer instructions for home kits that are available over the counter at pharmacies. Check with your doctor before use.

Some types of enemas are exclusively administered at medical offices. A barium enema, for example, uses a liquid compound that highlights certain areas of the gastrointestinal tract. This increases the amount of the tract that your doctor can see during an exam. Barium enemas are not used to treat constipation.

Read more: Barium enema »

At home

Enemas can be administered in the comfort of your own home. This way can be less expensive, but you should ask your doctor for detailed instructions beforehand. Due to the delicate nature of the procedure, a loved one should help.

Enemas utilize a solution of salt water that is placed into a bag on one side of the tube. The other portion is lubed and placed directly into the rectum. In order for the solution to reach the colon properly, hug your knees to your chest while lying on your stomach or on your side. Here are the standard instructions:

1. Fill the enema bag with your desired solution, using warm water. Make sure the clamp is shut. Hold the bag with the hose end down and open the clamp for a moment or so to get rid of any air bubbles, which you do not want to introduce into the colon.
2. Hang the bag alongside the bathtub so that you can access it while lying on your left side.
3. Lubricate the end of the tube to make insertion more comfortable before inserting the tube, no more than 4 inches into your rectum. Bear down and push the anus out as you insert the tube to make it more comfortable. Lie on your left side and pull your knees to your chest.
4. Wait for the fluid to enter your rectum, breathing deeply and watching the bag until it is empty.
5. Remove the nozzle from your rectum slowly.
6. You will probably feel the urge to use the bathroom (“evacuate”) immediately. If you are doing a cleansing enema, carefully stand up and move to the toilet. If you goal is retention, follow the instructions of your desired enema.

Once all of the solution is emptied into the colon, a bowel movement is expected within the hour. If you fail to expel any waste, call your doctor. You may be ordered to perform the procedure at a later time. Successful administrations result in the expulsion of waste from the rectum.

There are plenty of holistic and nontraditional advocates for enemas as a beneficial method for internal cleansing. For Western medicine at large, the verdict is still out on whether regularly administered home enemas have proven benefits. Not much conclusive research has been done into their long-term health benefits. The occasional use of enemas for “colon irrigation” and relief of constipation will most likely not harm you, as long as your equipment is sterile and you follow directions carefully. But keep in mind that administering enemas has risks.

When conducted properly following a doctor’s instructions, enema administrations are generally considered safe. A barium enema can cause waste to take on a white color for a few days afterward. This is the normal effect of barium and should clear up on its own. If you can’t produce waste, talk to your doctor about ways to loosen your stool.

Forcing an enema into the rectum can cause irritation and damage to surrounding tissue. Never force the tube into the rectum. If problems persist, try administration at a later time or call your doctor. Blood that is present in the stool after the enema may mean there is rectal damage or an underlying medical problem. Consult with a physician immediately regarding any rectal bleeding.

Your risks for enema-related complications are greater if you administer the tubes multiple times a day. The best course of action is to use the enema once a day, and around the same time every day, as directed by a doctor. This not only reduces side effects, but will also help to train your body to release waste regularly. If constipation continues for more than a few days, call your physician.

In extremely rare cases, the incorrect administration of an enema can cause an embolism (or blockage) to form. Pulmonary embolisms, which occur in the lungs, can be fatal. In other rare cases, an incorrectly administered barium enema can result in perforation of the rectum.

Older adults should avoid the over-the-counter “Fleet” enema, which contains sodium phosphate. A small study in JAMA Internal Medicine linked it to serious complications such as kidney failure.

Some people find that they have several additional bowel movements in the hours after an enema. For this reason, many plan to stay home for the rest of the day after an enema is administered. But for the most part, you may carry on with your regular routine after the enema process is complete.

A:

Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Was this helpful?

Enema Administration: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks

An enema is a technique used to stimulate stool evacuation, usually to relieve constipation. How it’s done depends on the type of enema and whether you can do it at home or at the hospital.

The enema process helps push waste out of the rectum when you cannot do so alone. Enemas are available for purchase at pharmacies for home use, but you should ask a doctor or nurse for specific instructions to avoid injury.

Other types of enemas are administered to clean out the colon and better detect colon cancer and polyps. If you have concerns or worsening symptoms after an enema, ask a doctor right away.

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition. It occurs when the colon is unable to remove waste through the rectum. People with this condition have three or fewer bowel movements over a seven-day period. Mild constipation often occurs when you don’t eat enough fiber or drink enough water on a regular basis. Daily exercise also helps to prevent constipation.

An enema administration is most commonly used to clean the lower bowel. However, this is normally the last resort for constipation treatment. If diet and exercise are not enough to keep you regular, your doctor might recommend a laxative before trying an enema. In some cases, laxatives are used the night before an enema administration to encourage waste flow.

Enemas may also be used before medical examinations of the colon. Your doctor may order an enema prior to an X-ray of the colon to detect polyps so that they can get a clearer picture. This procedure may also be done prior to a colonoscopy.

Learn more: Colonoscopy »

There are several common types of enemas.

The purpose of a cleansing enema is to gently flush out the colon. It may be recommended prior to a colonoscopy or other medical examination. Constipation, fatigue, headaches, and backaches may be relieved by a cleansing enema. During a cleansing enema, a water-based solution with a small concentration of stool softener, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar is used to stimulate the movement of the large intestine. A cleansing enema should stimulate the bowels to quickly expel both the solution and any impacted fecal matter.

A retention enema also stimulates the bowels, but the solution that is used is intended to be “held” in the body for 15 minutes or more.

You may be asked to fast or follow special dietary instructions in the days prior to having an enema. Instructions may vary, depending on your doctor and your personal health needs.

If you plan to administer an enema at home, make sure that all of the equipment you are using has been sterilized and that you have a lubricant on hand. Pay careful attention to the way that you prepare the enema solution. You may have to mix it yourself with medicinal components.

To lessen the pressure felt in your colon, empty your bladder before you begin the enema. You may also want to place a towel or cloth down in the area between your bathtub and your toilet, in case fluid leaks out of your bowels when you get up to empty your colon. It’s important to measure and mark your enema tube the first time you use it so that you do not insert the tube more than 4 inches into your rectum.

At a medical office

If you are unfamiliar with enemas, you should consider having a medical professional administer one for you. They can also offer instructions for home kits that are available over the counter at pharmacies. Check with your doctor before use.

Some types of enemas are exclusively administered at medical offices. A barium enema, for example, uses a liquid compound that highlights certain areas of the gastrointestinal tract. This increases the amount of the tract that your doctor can see during an exam. Barium enemas are not used to treat constipation.

Read more: Barium enema »

At home

Enemas can be administered in the comfort of your own home. This way can be less expensive, but you should ask your doctor for detailed instructions beforehand. Due to the delicate nature of the procedure, a loved one should help.

Enemas utilize a solution of salt water that is placed into a bag on one side of the tube. The other portion is lubed and placed directly into the rectum. In order for the solution to reach the colon properly, hug your knees to your chest while lying on your stomach or on your side. Here are the standard instructions:

1. Fill the enema bag with your desired solution, using warm water. Make sure the clamp is shut. Hold the bag with the hose end down and open the clamp for a moment or so to get rid of any air bubbles, which you do not want to introduce into the colon.
2. Hang the bag alongside the bathtub so that you can access it while lying on your left side.
3. Lubricate the end of the tube to make insertion more comfortable before inserting the tube, no more than 4 inches into your rectum. Bear down and push the anus out as you insert the tube to make it more comfortable. Lie on your left side and pull your knees to your chest.
4. Wait for the fluid to enter your rectum, breathing deeply and watching the bag until it is empty.
5. Remove the nozzle from your rectum slowly.
6. You will probably feel the urge to use the bathroom (“evacuate”) immediately. If you are doing a cleansing enema, carefully stand up and move to the toilet. If you goal is retention, follow the instructions of your desired enema.

Once all of the solution is emptied into the colon, a bowel movement is expected within the hour. If you fail to expel any waste, call your doctor. You may be ordered to perform the procedure at a later time. Successful administrations result in the expulsion of waste from the rectum.

There are plenty of holistic and nontraditional advocates for enemas as a beneficial method for internal cleansing. For Western medicine at large, the verdict is still out on whether regularly administered home enemas have proven benefits. Not much conclusive research has been done into their long-term health benefits. The occasional use of enemas for “colon irrigation” and relief of constipation will most likely not harm you, as long as your equipment is sterile and you follow directions carefully. But keep in mind that administering enemas has risks.

When conducted properly following a doctor’s instructions, enema administrations are generally considered safe. A barium enema can cause waste to take on a white color for a few days afterward. This is the normal effect of barium and should clear up on its own. If you can’t produce waste, talk to your doctor about ways to loosen your stool.

Forcing an enema into the rectum can cause irritation and damage to surrounding tissue. Never force the tube into the rectum. If problems persist, try administration at a later time or call your doctor. Blood that is present in the stool after the enema may mean there is rectal damage or an underlying medical problem. Consult with a physician immediately regarding any rectal bleeding.

Your risks for enema-related complications are greater if you administer the tubes multiple times a day. The best course of action is to use the enema once a day, and around the same time every day, as directed by a doctor. This not only reduces side effects, but will also help to train your body to release waste regularly. If constipation continues for more than a few days, call your physician.

In extremely rare cases, the incorrect administration of an enema can cause an embolism (or blockage) to form. Pulmonary embolisms, which occur in the lungs, can be fatal. In other rare cases, an incorrectly administered barium enema can result in perforation of the rectum.

Older adults should avoid the over-the-counter “Fleet” enema, which contains sodium phosphate. A small study in JAMA Internal Medicine linked it to serious complications such as kidney failure.

Some people find that they have several additional bowel movements in the hours after an enema. For this reason, many plan to stay home for the rest of the day after an enema is administered. But for the most part, you may carry on with your regular routine after the enema process is complete.

A:

Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Was this helpful?

Irrigoscopy

This is an X-ray examination of the colon with retrograde injection of a radiopaque agent based on barium sulfate into it.

Preparation

In order to examine the large intestine, it is necessary that there is no stool in its lumen.

The success and information content of the study is determined by the quality of preparation for the procedure.

Refusing laxatives. Drink a sufficient amount of liquid (mineral water, weak tea).

Option 1 – at 19.00 – 20.00 we start doing 3-4 cleansing enemas with warm water or chamomile decoction, 1.5-2 liters in volume. With an interval of half an hour.
On the day of the study, 2-3 hours before the procedure itself, 1-2 enemas.
It is necessary to cleanse the intestines to “clean waters”, get rid of feces.

Option 2 – drug “Moviprep” or “Fortrans” in a pharmacy. We accept instructions. It is necessary to cleanse the intestines to “clean waters”, get rid of feces.

ATTENTION! – PREPARATION IS MANDATORY. WITHOUT IT, THE STUDY WILL BE REFUSED.
We strongly ask you to bring with you: a large sheet, toilet paper. We recommend wet wipes, extra underwear, outpatient card or appointment, doctor’s note.

We don’t go hungry, in the morning we can have a light breakfast.

The day before the test, coarse fiber and foods that cause excessive gas formation (cabbage, fruits, carbonated drinks, black bread, sour-milk products, etc.) should be excluded from the diet. To prevent hungry gases, you can take Espumizan, activated charcoal.

If two complementary procedures have been prescribed – barium enema and colonoscopy. Irrigoscopy can be performed only 3 days after colonoscopy. Endoscopic examination (colonoscopy) can be performed only 3-4 days after barium enema, in the elderly after 7 days.

How the procedure will work:

The most commonly used contrast agent is barium sulphate, which is injected directly through the rectum. It is necessary to take into account the patient’s ability to hold an enema with a barium suspension of at least 1 liter for a successful procedure.

We take out the sheet, take off the clothes below the waist, leave the underwear. You will then be asked to lie down on the X-ray table. A white barium suspension will be injected into the rectum through a special tip (tube). Sensation of overflowing of the intestines with gases, which causes the urge to defecate. Moderate pain as the bowel is distended by barium and air. Also, at the moment the suspension overcomes the bends of the intestinal loops, there is a tension in the folds of the peritoneum.

After the examination – you can drink and eat immediately after the end of the procedure. Rest and bed rest for several hours is desirable, especially for the elderly.

Place of the procedure:

– X-ray room in the reception and diagnostic building, terminal No. 1 (on the 1st floor) – tel. 41-56-25
– X-ray room in the surgical building No. 3 (on the ground floor). No phone number

Free of charge by appointment on weekdays from 8.00 to 10.00
Paid by appointment on Saturday – from 9.00 to 12.00

Registration for the study: Registration of the polyclinic of the Republican Clinical Hospital – 37-11-26

X-ray of the lower gastrointestinal tract in children with cancer

What What is a lower gastrointestinal tract x-ray?

A lower GI x-ray, or contrast enema, is an examination that creates images of the patient’s large intestine, including the colon and anus. This test is sometimes called a barium enema. Its full name is radiography of the lower gastrointestinal tract.

It uses a type of x-ray examination such as fluoroscopy, as well as a contrast liquid – either a milky-white substance barium, or a clear liquid containing iodine. Fluoroscopy allows you to see the internal organs in motion, being a kind of “interactive” x-ray. It provides visualization of the colon and rectum and their functioning. The contrast fluid makes the bowel image on the screen clearer.

A patient may have this test if they have stool problems such as chronic diarrhoea, constipation, blood in the stool, change in bowel frequency, unexplained weight loss, or abdominal pain.

The examination usually takes about 30 minutes.

The lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes the large intestine, appendix, and rectum.

Who does a contrast enema?

The examination is performed by a radiologist and a radiologist.

Is the contrast enema safe?

A barium enema is a type of x-ray that uses a small amount of ionizing radiation to create images. The dose of radiation is very small. The medical benefits far outweigh the risks associated with exposure to this small dose of radiation. Any concerns can be discussed with doctors.

X-ray of the lower gastrointestinal tract (side view) in a child with cancer.

On a lower GI x-ray, a small green arrow points to an area of ​​concern in the colon.

How do patients prepare for an examination?

• Colon Cleanse : The patient’s colon must be empty for examination. If the colon is not empty, the procedure will be canceled .
• No food or drink other than clear liquids : Patient should not eat or drink anything other than clear liquids for several hours before the examination. Instructions vary depending on the center, the age of the patient, and the reason for the examination. Preparation usually includes taking magnesium citrate and drinking plenty of water. A few hours before the examination, the patient’s stool should be watery and transparent.

How can parents help the patient prepare?

Make sure your child:

• Understands why the test was scheduled and what will happen. Child adjustment specialists can help explain this.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and take off.

What should I do before the examination?

• Parents may need to consult their insurance company to find out how much of the cost of the procedure will be reimbursed.
• Parents should tell the doctor the following information:
  • Names of all medications the patient is taking, including over-the-counter medications.
  • Allergy, especially to contrast fluid (usually containing barium or iodine).
• Leave home early. It is important to arrive on time, and preferably a few minutes earlier, in order to have time to check in.
• The parent and patient will need to wait in the waiting room until it is time for the procedure. Bring along toys to keep your child occupied while waiting.

What happens during the procedure?

• The radiology worker will tell the family why the patient needs a barium enema and explain the procedure.
• A staff member will help the patient lie down on the X-ray table. For this examination, the patient will need to lie on their stomach or on their side. When examining infants and young children, a special device can be used to help them lie still.
• The technologist or radiologist will insert a small tube into the patient’s rectum. Tubes come in different sizes to suit different body types and ages.
• The technologist uses a device to hold the tubing in place, such as a band-aid or a small inflated balloon. The tube is connected to a bag with a contrast liquid.
• The radiologist will move the X-ray unit over the patient. The contrast fluid will flow through the tube. As it travels into the colon, the technologist will smoothly turn the patient from side to side to get good images.
• After the examination, the technologist will remove the tube and allow the patient to go to the toilet or put on a diaper until a bowel movement occurs. Doctors can then take additional pictures.