Description

An enema, also known as a clyster, is an injection of fluid into the lower bowel by way of the rectum. Also, the word enema can refer to the liquid so injected, as well as to a device for administering such an injection.

In standard medicine, the most frequent uses of enemas are to relieve constipation and for bowel cleansing before a medical examination or procedure; also, they are employed as a lower gastrointestinal series (also called a barium enema), to check diarrhea, as a vehicle for the administration of food, water or medicine, as a stimulant to the general system, as a local application and, more rarely, as a means of reducing temperature, as treatment for encopresis, and as a form of rehydration therapy (proctoclysis) in patients for whom intravenous therapy is not applicable.

Enema instructions

• Choose a quiet place with space to lie down, ideally a bathroom, and have towels, a timer, and the enema kit ready.
• Remove all clothing from the lower half of the body.
• Wash the hands with soap and hot water and dry them thoroughly.
• Lay a towel on the floor and lie on the left side of the body if right-handed or on the right side of the body if left-handed.
• Bend the knee of the topmost leg, and place a rolled towel underneath the knee to support it.
• Remove the cap from the nozzle of the enema.
• Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into the anus, and continue inserting it 10 centimeters (3–4 inches) into the rectum.
• Slowly squeeze the liquid from the container until it is empty, then gently remove the nozzle from the rectum.
• Wait for the enema to take effect. This can take anywhere from 2 minutes to 1 hour, and the kit’s instructions should give a more specific estimate.
• Go to the toilet as usual to empty the bowels.

It is also used for vagina cleansing / douche