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This is done prior to a medical or surgical procedure. These enemas commonly contain the sodium phosphate variety.
The administration of the substances and medications into the bloodstream
This is usually done in cases when it is impossible to deliver a medication by mouth. Some medications, usually corticosteroids and other medications used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease could also be very practical.
Radiological purposes
A barium enema is used as a contrast substance in the radiological imaging of the bowel.
The bottom line
Enemas are useful for emptying the rectum, which is the lowest 8 to 12 inches of the colon. Usually, only one or two quarts of water are used in the process. It is easy to understand that colon hydrotherapy is much more effective in cleansing the upper portions of the colon.
Colon hydrotherapy and laxatives
Rectal laxatives are medications or supplements used to produce bowel movements in a short time.
They can be used as enemas or rectal suppositories. The most commonly used are: Bisco-Lax, Ceo-Two, Dacodyl, Deficol, Dulcolax, Fleet Babylax, Fleet Bisacodyl, Fleet Enema, Sani-Supp, Senokot, Theralax, Therevac Plus and many others.
There are several different types of rectal laxatives and they work in different ways.
Some of the most common are:
* Carbon dioxide-releasing
Carbon dioxide-releasing laxatives are suppositories that support bowel movements by forming carbon dioxide, a gas. The gas pushes intestinal stool masses against the intestinal wall, causing contractions.
*Hyper-osmotic
The main purpose of these laxatives is to draw water into the bowel from the surrounding body tissues. This provides a soft stool mass and increased bowel action.
*Lubricant
Laxatives with mineral oils in them surround the bowel mass, which is keeping the moisture in the stool. The stool remains soft and its passage is made easier.
*Stimulants
Stimulant laxatives affect the intestinal wall. They increase the muscle contractions that move the stool mass along the intestines.
*Stool softeners
Stool softeners are helping liquids mix into the stool and prevent dry, hard stool masses.