Enema

Image:Combination enema and douche syringe.jpg Image:Rectal bulb syringe.jpg

An enema (plural enemata or enemas) is the procedure of introducing liquids into the rectumand colonvia the anus. Enemas can be carried out for medical reasons, as part of alternative therapies, and also for eroticpurposes, particularly as part of BDSMactivities. In earlier times, they were often known as clysters.

Medical usage

The main medical usages of enemas are:

• As a laxative. The patient expels fecesalong with the enema in the toiletafter administration. Enemas may be used to relieve constipationand fecal impaction, although in many medical settings their use has been largely replaced by oral laxatives and laxative suppositories. Laxative enemas may consist of water, which works primarily as a mechanical laxative; sodium phosphatesolution, which draws additional water from the bloodstream into the colon and increases the effectiveness of the enema; or mineral oil, which functions as a lubricant and stool softener. Other types of solutions are available as well. In the past soapwas a common additive to enemas, but it has largely fallen out of use because of the risk of chemical-induced colitisas well as the ready availability of other enema preparations that are more effective than soap.

• Cleaning the lower bowel prior to a medical or surgical procedure such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Enemas used for this purpose are commonly the sodium phosphate variety.

• The administration of substances into the bloodstream. This may be done in situations where it is undesirable or impossible to deliver a medication by mouth, such as antiemeticsgiven to reduce nausea(although it should be noted that not all antiemetics are delivered by enema). An enema may also be used for hydrationpurposes. See also route of administration.

• The topical administration of medications into the rectum, such as corticosteroidsand mesalamineused in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Administration by enema avoids having the medication pass through the entire gastrointestinal tract, therefore simplifying the delivery of the medication to the affected area and limiting the amount that is absorbed into the bloodstream.

• A barium enemais used as a contrast substance in the radiologicalimaging of the bowel.

Most enemas are packaged in single-use bottles that come with a nozzle attached to the top. Some enemas are administered using disposable bags connected to disposable tubing. In medical settings reusable enema equipment is now rare because of the difficulty and expense of disinfecting it. For home use disposable bottles are common, but reusable rubberor vinylbags or enema bulbs may also be used. In former times, enemas were frequently administered using clystersyringes.

Image:Frenchclister.jpg

In certain countries such as the United States, enema usage went well into the 20th century; it was thought a good idea to cleanse the bowel in case of fever; also, pregnant women were given enemas prior to laborso as to reduce the risk of fecesbeing passed during contractions as well as inducing contractions. This latter usage has since been largely abandoned, in part because the health benefits are unclear and because women generally found the procedure unpleasant.

The water for the enema should be as near as possible to body temperature. At first, the flow of water causes pressure in the rectum and an urge to release. It comes in waves, but is easily held back. Then, there is a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen. It starts gradually, but slowly builds until there is a feeling like a balloon is gradually being inflated. The feeling of inflation gradually moves up the left side up the descending colon and then across the middle in the transverse colon, and then down the right side in the ascending colon. The pressure causes a cramping sensation which gradually becomes more intense. Towards the end of the procedure, there is a feeling of immense inflation and perstalsis. Withholding the enema allows for greater saturation of the water into fecal material, but can be extremely difficult. Most people cannot retain an enema for more than 5 minutes, although 15 minutes is recommended for best results.

Non-medical usage

The paraphiliadirected towards enemas is known as klismaphilia. Enemas are available as a service from many practitioners in the sex industryto cater to klismaphiliac desires, and may be used as part of BDSMactivities.

A small enema may be taken prior to anal sexor annilingusin order to remove feces, thus reducing bacterial transmission and risk of infection.

Colonic irrigation

Colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapyis a large enema which cleanses the whole colon. It was in vogue for hygienic purposes at the beginning of the 20th century(see John Harvey Kellogg) and remains popular as an alternative health therapy in most parts of the world. Advocates believe that, when carried out by trained personnel using sterile equipment, it can be a safe and valuable tool for eliminating toxinsfrom the body and restoring normal muscular activity in the colon.

Ritual use

Ritual enemaswere practiced by the Mayaand many other Central Americanand South American Indiantribes; some tribes have continued the practice to the present day. Substances used in the enemas include alcohol, tobacco, peyote, and other hallucinogenic drugsand entheogens. While the precise nature of the substances used by the Maya are unknown except from pictures of pots containing bubbling liquids, it is presumed these contained alcohol or other drugs.

References and further reading

• M. R. Strict, Intimate Invasion: The Erotic Ins & Outs of Enema Play, Greenery Press, 2004. ISBN 1890159514.de:Einlauf (Medizin)

fr:Lavement nl:Klysma ja:?? ru:?????? (?????????)

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enema Wikipedia article Enema.