Can I use enema if I don't have the urge to defecate?

Constipation is quite common in our life and there are many causes of constipation. If the constipation is more serious, it can be treated with enema. The main ingredient of enema is glycerin, which is a lubricating laxative. It has very high permeability and has a significant stimulating effect on the intestinal wall. The defecation effect can be achieved within 5 to 10 minutes after taking the medicine. Let's take a look at this aspect.

Can I use enema if I don't have the urge to defecate?

The main ingredients of enema are glycerin and sorbitol, supplemented by some other auxiliary materials. Its main principle is to use the hypertonic effect brought by glycerol or sorbitol to allow more water to penetrate into the intestinal cavity, soften the stool, stimulate the intestinal wall, and reflexively cause a defecation reaction. At the same time, glycerin itself can also play a certain lubricating role. Therefore, enema is a stimulant laxative, very similar to rhubarb in traditional Chinese medicine.

Enemas have a direct effect, so they are often abused by patients with constipation. But in fact, the irritating effect of stimulant laxatives on the intestinal wall may very likely cause the patient to become dependent on it, forming a habit of refusing to defecate without strong stimulation. As the duration of use increases, the intestinal wall's sensitivity to stimulation will become weaker and weaker, making it difficult for the enema to work.

In clinical practice, enema is mainly used for people with impacted stool and those who need a quick bowel movement, such as bedridden patients and patients preparing for surgery. Pregnant women and children should not use enema. Because enema may cause strong contraction of local tissue, resulting in transient ischemia in pregnant women and triggering chronic inflammation. Children have very delicate intestinal mucosa, and the stimulation of sorbitol will affect their gastrointestinal function.

Patients with common constipation may use soluble laxatives, such as magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, etc. This type of laxative is not absorbed by the intestinal wall but is soluble in water. Therefore, it can increase the volume of the intestinal contents and form a very high osmotic pressure in the intestine, mechanically stimulating the intestine, enhancing intestinal peristalsis and smoothing bowel movements.

Honey decoction method for treating constipation

Honey frying method:

Take seven grams of honey and fry it in a copper pot over low heat. When it solidifies into candy-like consistency, stir it but don't let it burn. When you want to make it into pills, roll it into balls with your hands and make the head sharp, as big as a finger and about two inches long. Make it quickly while it's hot. If it is cold, it will be hard. Put it in the anus and hold it tightly with your hands. Remove it when you want to defecate.

Pig bile induction method:

Take a large pig's gallbladder, mix its laxative juice with a little vinegar, and pour it into the tract. After a meal, you will have a bowel movement.

Here, we will focus on the honey frying method. Put honey in a spoon (copper or stainless steel), fry it on the fire, wait until it becomes thick, take it out and cool it slightly, rub it into the size of fingers, and make it before it is completely cooled. After it is completely cold and hard, insert it into the anus, cover it with your hand, and the stool will come out in a while. What needs to be noted here is that you must cover it for a while and wait until the honey melts in the large intestine before defecation can come out. This method is particularly suitable for those who have the urge to defecate but whose stool is stuck in the anus and cannot come out. Currently, most of these people use "suppositories" to solve this urgent problem.