To give an enema means you are injecting fluid into the rectum. The fluid consists of pure warm (about 103 degrees Fahrenheit), water to which baking soda or salt can be added to make it isotonic. The amount of water is designed to gently and painlessly fill up the colon. This amount varies from person to person and should not be decided upon before treating the patient. An enema is used to treat constipation and should be used only as a last resort. Some people give an enema as a preventative measure to rid the colon of toxins.

You should not be embarrassed when talking about enemas. This is a great method to relieve constipation. The enema solution is placed in the rectum and then released and the person usually has a complete relief of constipation. This procedure does a good bowel cleaning. An enema should be painless for the person. To give an enema you must follow certain guidelines.

Before giving someone an enema, determine what supplies you will need. The enema bag and solution are the most common supplies needed. Many people decide to make their own solution or purchase it from an outside source. After the enema solution has been prepared, have the person lie down on a flat surface with their right leg bent at the knee. Doing this makes the procedure easier to perform and is more comfortable for the individual.

Next the tube of the enema bag needs to be inserted into the anus. This might be uncomfortable for some people, and so it is advised to lubricate before inserting the tube. After putting the tube into the entrance of the anus, the enema solution is then allowed to slowly enter into the colon. For some people, breathing deeply will help ease any anxiety that anyone might experience.

The most common negative side effect during an enema is dull cramps. If the patient starts to experience cramping, it can be eased by slowing down the amount of enema solution that is going into the anus. After all of the solution in the bag has been introduced into the anus, the enema bag and tube can be removed. The patient should wait for five minutes before expelling the solution.

A barium enema is an x-ray test used to establish normal and abnormal activities of the colon and rectum. In this test, barium, a white liquid substance, is put into the rectum and colon. The barium helps to enhance the x-ray film of the colon making it easier to determine if there are any abnormalities.