Interesting article on constipation, but no mention of an enema as treatment

Article by an MD, but no mention of a thorough enema as a treatment

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2025/08/29/chronic-constipation-causes.aspx?ui=30f36914a6cca0a7b2b2b144f59a63cce59314e16bcd9ee1b04f34b1f3921ce4&sd=20090801&cid_source=dnl&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1HL&cid=20250829&foDate=false&mid=DM1799464&rid=375752348

I truly don't understand this, since a good enema, while not a permanent cure, almost never fails.

I remember seeing a girl many years ago, telling her she was getting an enema, giving her a two quart enema, and having her comment later that she had gone to the E.R. for her constipation, getting a Fleet enema (which didn't work), and being sent home. The enema I gave her certainly DID work, and she told me, "You really helped me. The water went all the way up inside me..." and then she told me about her ER visit. I could tell it was pretty unpleasant for her, but was definitely a success. Enemas (real ones) still seem to be an "underground treatment," much as natural foods in a preceding generation. While YT & other places have an abundance of info, & "transanal irrigation" (hi-tech enema) has gotten some attention after rectal/colon surgery, apparently MD's are often still prejudiced against enemas...pretty amazing.

Like you, I’ve seen several articles recently by medical professionals highlighting the prevalence of chronic constipation and its health risks. Not a one mentions enemas. You also can’t watch more than a half hour of commercial television without seeing ads about constipation and touting some laxative or another. Boggles the mind why people haven’t re-discovered enemas as an effective, reliable, predictable solution (no pun intended).

I think it is because of the word “chronic”. Which an enema may physically correct taking it every day or every other day but it doesn’t get to the underlying issue of why it keeps happening

An enema is such a simple procedure that can easily be done by one's self. I don't understand why someone would allow themselves to become so constipated that they need to go to the ER for relief. Even a small volume enema, say a quart held for a few minutes will normally take care of the problem if not left go to the point of impaction.

I use enemas when i need to, real ones, also use the little phosphate ones also when i need to , Asked bythe parkinsons nurse what i did to clear my blockage, oh she said , where did you buy them, out of the tap i said, and that was end of that conversation. think she didnt know what areal enema was ., Another time i tried asking my dr about getting a supply of the little enemas, oh no he said , it needs to be a skilled, tained nurse to give those..........bullshit, ivebeen doing enemas foraround 60 years !

@sirwilliam55 Unfortunately we live in a strange, controlling world. I find it interesting that the NHS has now "discovered" rectal or trans-anal irrigation when in effect this is the classic enema as given for thousands of years! And, guess what, to give yourself TAI you require a prescription and that means you have been trained. Thank goodness we have Kristina Amelong and OHN.

But...my wonderful Nurse Practitioner at our GP Surgery was totally understanding when I went to see her about having a defecography for my chronic constipation and even offered to supply Microlax mini enemas for travel.

Maybe it’s just my “old fashioned “ upbringing where I learned about enemas but I am just flabbergasted by all of the adds on tv for laxatives and stool softeners. And like the earlier referenced article on constipation the obvious answer is nowhere to be found. Many online articles discourage enemas because they say frequent enemas may lead to dependency, but isn’t it the same for the chemical solutions they are promoting? Is it really all about the drug company profits? Instead of a one time purchase of an enema bag that will last for years, they want you to spend $20 per month or week on all sorts of supplements and laxatives. Not me. I will take an enema over any of the alternatives.

@Cheryl77177 maybe the dependency depends on one's system, but I can report that I recently went for over a year before starting enemas again and never had a problem needing an enema in order to be able to "go". I suspect, as you stated, it's the drug companies manipulating people for maintaining their ungodly profits.

Many online articles discourage enemas because they say frequent enemas may lead to dependency, but isn’t it the same for the chemical solutions they are promoting? Is it really all about the drug company profits?

Looks like someone figured this one out. And I'd like to see RFK Jr. attack this one.

@Cheryl77177 said,

Is it really all about the drug company profits? Instead of a one time purchase of an enema bag that will last for years, they want you to spend $20 per month or week on all sorts of supplements and laxatives. Not me. I will take an enema over any of the alternatives.

Is it really all about the drug company profits? Sure, it is.

The drug companies poured money into Medical School for years helping to eliminate enemas, so they could push their laxatives. Enema equipment was cheap and lasted for years. Your only cost afterwards was negligible for Vaseline, warm water, soap, salt, and baking soda. When done properly, enemas worked every time, no waiting around. With laxatives, that’s a different story, you wait around for eight to twelve hours. Just to see if they even work. Like you, I’m old fashion. If I get constipated, I do as my RN grandmother taught me as a preteen, I give myself an enema. Works every time, no waiting around.

I am a true believer in the efficacy of an enema when constipation becomes an issue. Mom and grandma, along with our family doctors (pediatrician and general practitioner) sure believed in enemas rather than laxatives. Some warm water, and not the chemical types, were very adequate to trigger a BM. I bristle at all of the TV ads promoting laxatives and other meds.

I had constapation issues from birth. My mother managed them with occasional enemas when needed. Later I learned to enjoy enemas, and took them often. So constapation wasn't an issue most of my middle years. At some point about 8 years ago, I was working at a job that didn't give me the needed time to take an enema when necessary. I started taking Miralax, Dollar General brand. At first a half dose worked fine along with an occasional enema clean out. As years went on, I had to increase the doss as well as the enemas. Now that I'm retired The Miralax hasn't given me much relief. I decided to stop the Miralax and just rely on enemas. Some days Just a couple bulbs full will do fine. Some days I will have a natural bile movement. Every few days I may take a two or three quart cleanout/enjoyment enema. Which normally gives me about a 48 hour window wi5hout having to go. I'm feeling better and enjoying my enema time again with no chemicals.

Ok so my sister in law early 60s “heavy “ a fast food eater by preference and profession, reports “Diverticulitis,” colon restrictions; via sonograms, I would like to recommend to her that she regularly get a Colonic.

What have the folks here have to comment on that?

The US insurance- and billing-code driven medical system tries to wring every second out of providers and keep their volume up. It’s also liability averse. In that universe, a 20-30 minute procedure that requires education and common sense around understanding when it’s contraindicated, proper water temperature, safe solutions, safe volumes, not perforating yourself, and not catching a bug from improperly cleaned equipment doesn’t make sense.

But if you can master these things on your own, it’s a fantastic constipation-relieving tool. By practicing moderation I’ve never developed a dependency and am often regular by the next day.

Speaking of when it’s contraindicated @Unknown_Jerome, I would use an enema or colonic with reasonably gentle volumes for diverticulosis (colon wall pockets) but NOT EVER diverticulitis (actively infected colon wall pockets that could weaken and burst, spreading potentially fatal infection throughout the abdominal cavity and into the bloodstream.) That’s a doctor visit for tissue-penetrating antibiotics or possibly even surgery.

I lay off the enemas and seek medical advice if I have localized belly pain and am running a fever, even a low-grade one, because I never want to mess with the risk of peritonitis.