Taking Enemas too often

Hello. I have taken daily multiple enemas, fortunate to have the time and a VERY understanding wife, and gone for regular colonics for ten years and feel absolutely brilliant. I am sixty - two and everybody says how well I look. So.....

I have taken enemas on a regular basis for nearly fifty years, occasionally several per day, and on a daily basis for the past ten years. Rare exceptions are generally when I travel and, on those occasions when I miss, my colon function returns to normal within a day or two.

I enjoy excellent health, require no prescription medication of any kind as so many other persons seem to at my age of 70+ and others are always surprised to discover that I'm really older than fifty. I am energetic and live an active lifestyle. My favorite activities are canoe-camping for a week or two at a time and hiking up to ten miles or more over rugged terrain without a break, snack, or even a swallow of water. In winter months, I've done the same on snowshoes.

If enemas are really so harmful as many contend, they simply don't know the subject and, most likely, because it's outside their personal experience. Enemas actually strengthen the colon!

This site is filled with members that do an enema every day. I am not sure if this will cause lazy bowel or not, maybe Susie can chime in on that. Some can't go without one and some have no problem with it. I think a good rule of thumb is no more than 2 a week. I've done more on a trip where we played every night but we laid off the next week. You should have no problems with 1 a week.

This is not an evidence based response, just my intuition mixed with a healthcare background (which i am NOT using to assert any kind of authority here). Okay, disclaimer out of the way.

i typically wonder about doing anything to the body that it is not adapted to. i have studied a bit about the flora that inhabits our gut (i.e., large intestine/colon), the area affected by enema. Latest evidence is we have about 10x more bacteria living in our colon than we have cells that make up our body. We live in symbiosis with bacteria. One of my primary questions/concerns about frequency and types of enema would be: "how this particular type enema affects gut flora?"

That's a complex question. For instance, there is a bacteria in meat eaters colons and the metabolite results in Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a substance that facilitates atherosclerosis. Does regular enemas help wash out the bacteria that creates this? It's just speculation without test evidence.

Something else i wonder about enema/type is the breadth of effect? For instance, we use antibiotics to kill pathogens, but the side effect is antibiotics also kill beneficial bacteria. So, a certain type of enema may have both positive and negative effects.

Bottom line (so to speak), i don't think this question has a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

People who take an enema every day and say they have no problems having a normal bowel movement HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA if and when they have a normal bowel movement because they are always taking enemas.

Some people have a faster transit time than others and may have a bowel movement in two or three days, other people may take a week. The body definitely gets used to having enemas and "recovery time" may be lengthy. The people who say they need one every day have a lazy colon. If there is feces filling the colon, you don't need an enema if your colon is working properly because you will get the urge to defecate.

As I have posted in the past, normal feces (and NO ONE who takes regular frequent enemas has "normal feces") is 20-50% bacteria by weight. Therefore, the enemas are clearing out the normal bacteria by physically washing them out and it takes time for that to build back up also.

I may have more to say later.

On orders of an MD, I take a daily coffee enema and have been doing it for nearly 26 years.

John

On orders of an MD, I take a daily coffee enema and have been doing it for nearly 26 years.

John

Your doctor told you to do an enema for 26 years? Sounds like a Quack. Try getting another one to tell you that, never happen.

Those with actual experience know; others merely speculate.

My mother was a pediatric nurse who believed that enemas should only be given, as needed. According to mom, excessive enemas can destroy the natural bacteria in your colon and affect your digestion and health. Anyone here who says they take a lot of enemas is either a liar or looking for some serious health issues. They can also alter your regular bowel movements and cause dependence on enemas.

@ switchablesusie

Has anyone identified any function for colon bacteria other than methane production?

Myths abound among ignorant people . . . "Mom says . . ." Reminds me of the child's game, "Simon says." After a lifetime of many, many enemas, I have no bowel-related health issues. Quite the contrary!

One of the benefits of frequent bowel cleansing is the lessening of transit time of so many harmful, sometimes toxic, additives to processed foods that "fly under the radar" of health standards, because of minute quantities which would otherwise require them to be listed with food ingredients. Another is removal of toxins sometimes caused by the breaking down of indigestible matter by bacteria.

The enemas I use are coffee enemas that (in addition to colon cleansing) trigger the liver to release accumulated toxins on a daily basis.

On orders of an MD, I take a daily coffee enema and have been doing it for nearly 26 years.

Was that a Naturopathic doctor??

@ switchablesusie

Has anyone identified any function for colon bacteria other than methane production?

You have to be joking.

Read this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9406136

Then do a search for the function of colonic bacteria.

One of the benefits of frequent bowel cleansing is the lessening of transit time of so many harmful, sometimes toxic, additives to processed foods that "fly under the radar" of health standards, because of minute quantities which would otherwise require them to be listed with food ingredients. Another is removal of toxins sometimes caused by the breaking down of indigestible matter by bacteria.

That's the typical colon irrigationist/naturopathic story and sales pitch line.

You have to be joking.

Read this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9406136

Then do a search for the function of colonic bacteria.

and this https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19615307

here's a pretty good one for those who don't like to read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DTrENdWvvM

and this https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19615307

here's a pretty good one for those who don't like to read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DTrENdWvvM

The Youtube was a good one.

I'm not so convinced about the article on obesity. It almost sounds like an excuse fat people can use for their obesity instead of taking responsibility for the consequences of being a pig at the dinner table or snacking all day long.

The Youtube was a good one.

I'm not so convinced about the article on obesity. It almost sounds like an excuse.

lol, yeah, i can see where some would jump at that. i'm a holistic nurse, but am obsessed with being evidence based. i got certified through Cornell University on reversing different disease processes through diet, specifically, whole food plant based diet (WFPBD). my conservative guess is 85% of the people i care for in critical care are suffering from disease related to diet and/or lack of exercise.

Here's a review of the study (and a few others on topic) that focuses in on it, basically proposes that it is what we eat that facilitates a gut biome that can lead to obesity, but still puts the responsibility squarely on the consumer.

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/gut-flora-obesity/

Regarding vegetarians, their caloric intake is much lower than omnivores or carnivores, so they stay slimmer. I really don't think the different in gut bacteria makes much of a difference.

That's the typical colon irrigationist/naturopathic story and sales pitch line.

Works for me.

To me it looks like there are a lot of"could bes, might be and may bes" in the data. So, I guess some of us "might be" taking too many enemas and antibiotics for our own good. I'll come back in a hundred years and see how things are progressing.

I don't take every day unless for some reason I'm very uncomfortable. Has happened now and then, but is rare.

Regarding "toxins"... Enemas are not going to make a difference. The body deals with stuff that is generated inside reasonably well (well, except for say the products of excessive glycoside consumption or similar), and foreign toxins are often not going to be affected by an enema. After all they've had all the time in the small bowel to be absorbed, and many are fat soluble.

Theres nothing wrong with having them once a week I know a woman who does them every day

Does it really matter if my long term use of enemas and colonics means that I can't have a "normal" bowel movement?? I feel brilliant, never have poop on a toy or have to use a public toilet. Uuumm. AND I so enjoy the process! Oh and I was never much good at pooping in the first place.

Does it really matter if my long term use of enemas and colonics means that I can't have a "normal" bowel movement?? I feel brilliant, never have poop on a toy or have to use a public toilet. Uuumm. AND I so enjoy the process! Oh and I was never much good at pooping in the first place.

If that's what makes you happy by all means go for it. I guess as long as you rid your body of waste how it happens is up to you. This would be in the "Whatever Floats your boat" category

. . . .Regarding "toxins"... Enemas are not going to make a difference. The body deals with stuff that is generated inside reasonably well (well, except for say the products of excessive glycoside consumption or similar), and foreign toxins are often not going to be affected by an enema. After all they've had all the time in the small bowel to be absorbed, and many are fat soluble.

By the time the "toxins" get to the large intestine, the time has well past for the body to do anything good with it.

Once a week enemas seem a sane, manageable practice. The human body can be remarkably resilient. Go for it! The people I wonder about are those who claim to use questionable substances or amounts and take enemas daily or even more than one a day every day. How would one even know what "normal" functioning was in such cases? I find a good, low sugar bran muffin with fruit in it is a nutritious way to keep my body regular. Anyone want the recipe? Stock up on the Bran Buds in large-sized boxes!

Having something which "floats my boat" is essential, particularly after taking part in that Around the World yacht race. My routine is based on advice given by a fabulous lady who ran a mine hospital in Africa four decades ago and, more recently, discussions with two ladies who are specialist colo-rectal nurses and certified colon hydrotherapists. I only have one body and want to go on enjoying what I do for many more years!!!!

Anng, I have to agree with you. I don't understand the high-volume enemas, or why people are putting different solutions in their bags or buckets, and into their bodies. Even ivory soap, how do we know that it is safe? Would Ivory vouch for their product going up the passage-way, used for a downward, outward journies? I will write them and ask...

For me, accepting thy water or giving an enema, it can be peaceful and sensual during administration, coupled with there being excitement and anticipation in the beginning with a new partner/patient, and maybe every time you play.

Words to describe an enema: warm, wet, and sensual; a good start? Cleansing, relaxing, anal exposure, rejuvenating, inciting the senses. An intimate sharing, exposure, vulnerability, cathartic, and release.

With all of these healthy and good words going into an enema, why do some people run enough quarts into their systems to cause severe cramps and/or vomiting? Why use alcohol, milk, baking soda, or other additives, when you already have enough in the bag (1/5 - 2 quarts of warm water) to make you feel good?

No put downs here; maybe, a tale of caution. I remember that night, some 32 years ago that I tried an alcohol enema. The next thing I knew it was hours later and daylight, and what if I had ingested 'TOO' much alcohol, and had needed medical help? It was enough alcohol for me to pass out, and I had no, NONE, recollection afterwards, of being inebriated the previous night. That was Dumb!!!

How many of our acquaintances here, never made it back to Zity.biz after a bad experience. They passed, or were incapacitated...

In closing, many of us are anally sensitive. I remember the video of a man trying to get a small glass up his pooper, to have a good feeling/experience, wanting to share with his audience (he was self-videotaping) that time when he stretched just a little more. But, his 'play's came to an abrupt end as the glass broke under his weight, fracturing while in his anus, maybe in his rectum, and we all saw the blood pouring out onto the floor, coupled with the broken glass that was outside of his anus.

He may have posted that video, to teach us to be careful, after going through a very painful and embarrassing ordeal. What a blessing. Anybody that watched that video gave thought to safe anal play thereafter.

BUT, what if he bled out. What If he was found dead in his home, and somebody put the puzzle together, and shared that video on the internet, as a warning, as a legacy, on his behalf?

Safe, sane, consensual, and non-exploitive. Good words for all of us to remember. Play it safe. And, yes, always have a contingency plan.

Off my soapbox. I'm 70 now, and have earned the right to share a word of caution. Many words in this case...

AND, remember, it was XXXX that got me started; so, please say thank you to her. Good night.

Does it really matter if my long term use of enemas and colonics means that I can't have a "normal" bowel movement?

Isn't it an urban legend that long term use of enemas inhibits "normal" bowel movements? Was there ever a scientific study of that? What did they do, accept a bunch of volunteers to take enemas every day for a month or a year, then check to see whether they were ever again able to have a natural BM without laxatives or enemas? I can't visualize that. Who would pay scientists to study that phenomenon?

After surgery for colon cancer, I developed severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (alternately suffering from diarrhea and constipation). Bran muffins didn't help. Fiber supplements didn't help (and often made it worse). Taking an enema once a week didn't help. The only thing that brought relief has been taking an enema every 2-3 days.

This schedule has been interrupted at times by my traveling or visiting friends/relatives where I didn't have an opportunity to occupy a bathroom for an hour and a half. I always resumed having normal BMs. Then after a week or so I eventually reverted back to the miserable IBS alternating symptoms (which is my cross to bear and seems to have nothing to do with my enema regimen).

I think it's up to each individual to find out how enemas affect their natural BM schedule. If you're enthusiastic about taking frequent enemas and enjoy a thorough flushing out with a session of multiple enemas, it's not uncommon (in my experience) to go for days afterward without a "natural" BM. After a deep cleansing, it takes time for the intestines to fill up with waste again, right? Stands to reason. Don't let that delay convince you that something is wrong. Some people tend to worry too much.

Let's say "they" are right and frequent enemas can interrupt your natural elimination schedule. What do you think will happen then? You think that the waste will back up until you swell up like a balloon and your abdomen explodes? I haven't heard of that happening. In my experience, a natural routine reasserts itself after awhile.

I guess its like everything in life you simply balance it how many times you take them ...take if required.....but dont over do it