Types of Enemas

Enemas are used to cleanse the rectum, relieve constipation and detoxify the body, and for diagnostic procedures. Enemas are also used as a form of alternative medicine and as an effective home remedy.

Sodium Phosphate

• Disposable enemas are often sodium phosphate-based. Sodium phosphate enemas are used to relieve constipation and cleanse the rectum before medical examinations.

Coffee

• Coffee enemas are used to detoxify the body. Many terminally ill patients, including those with cancer, have used coffee enemas as an alternative medical treatment.

Mineral Oil

• Mineral oil enemas treat fecal impaction. Follow a mineral oil immediately with sodium phosphate enemas or soapsuds enemas to relieve fecal impaction and constipation, which is an underlying cause of fecal impaction.

Yogurt

• Yogurt enemas are recommended for treating irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal parasites and mild constipation. Plain yogurt contains live bacteria that regulate the digestive system and other parts of the body in cases of disease such as cancer and conditions including hemorrhoids.

Barium

• Barium enemas are used to improve colon visibility on X-rays during medical examinations. Single-contrast barium enemas utilize, barium while double-contrast barium enemas involve administering barium, draining most of the barium, and filling the colon with air to see narrowed areas, diverticulitis and other inflammations in the colon.

Soapsuds

• Soapsuds enemas provide relief of constipation and cleanse the rectum before intimate interpersonal relations involving the anorectal region. Use three drops of gentle hand soap in two quarts of water. Pour the solution in an enema bag or disposable enema bottle. Administer the solution into the rectum.