Enema Information
Enemas are rectally given doses of liquid chemicals designed to either/or clean the bowel, empty the bowel or medically treat the bowel.
For example, pre-operatively enemas are sometimes given to patients facing bowel surgery so that the bowel is empty as possible and cleaned of any stool residue that may have been stuck to the inner lining.
Alternatively, medication can be suspended in a liquid delivery substance, and then given rectally via the form of an enema, so that the medication can be delivered directly to the inflammed bowel. However, thanks to modern science these have usually been replaced by a foam dispenser which is still delivered rectally but removes the feeling of being full and having to go to the toilet (the original enemas needed to be retained until absorbed which could take up to 45 minutes, and when you are having to hold it in, thats a heck of a long time!)
Just because you may have traded in your rectum for a stoma, it doesnt mean you've seen the end of enemas. Sometimes smaller gel-based enemas can be given via the stoma to help with freeing any blockages that may have developed. However, these should only be given by doctors to reduce risk of damage to the bowel.
And finally, lets not forget colonic irrigation. Some ostomates are able to irrigate their stomas which involves passing a small cone shaped object into their stoma, and passing a large amount of liquid into their bowel to flush out their stool. For more details on this procedure check out IrrigationInfo.
