Enemas For Constipation
Home Remedies For Constipation
Constipation is among the common and curiously the most debilitating of simple ailments, and often associated with a general sense of lethargy and melancholy. The pursuit of regularity therefore, besides relieving abdominal discomfort and colicky pains, has a noticeably euphoric effect. The reason is not clear. There is no doubt that a good 'bowel action' is satisfactory primarily due to the sense of evacuation but also because the anus is richly supplied with nerve fibers which are stimulated when the bowel opens, resulting in a most pleasing sensation. Further, the internal cleansing of the bowel with enemas or colonic irrigation is reputedly very pleasurable. The British journalist, Ysenda Maxton-Graham described it as 'the most satisfying loo going experience of my life. Years of stored up wind and matter such as old pips, stones and undigested pills are dispensed with - it is a joy to say goodbye to them.'
The colon is in a state of constant movement as contractions of the muscles in the wall impel the contents forwards. During an attack of constipation the colon is relatively inert and 'stimulant laxatives' are the traditional remedies. Mr. Allan Wilson from Perthshire who practiced as a pharmacist in Selkirk in the 1930s recalls:
'I am seventy-eight. As a teenager my mother would place two or three senna pods in half a cup of water, leaving to soak overnight and then drinking the water in the morning, convinced this "infusion" kept her regular. About the same time, my grandfather, then in his eighties, described taking a dose of extract of cascara sagrada liquid. It seemed to work for him. My aunt, with whom I resided at the time, also thought it good for me but I found it absolutely horrid to take, with an aftertaste that lasted for hours.'
These stimulant laxatives, such as senna and Epsom salts, have fallen out of fashion in recent years and prolonged use is now recognized to cause the bowels to become dependent and indeed may lead to permanent damage.
The alternative approach, and this really only applies to those who are chronically constipated, is to improve the regularity of the bowel by 'exercising' it. The presence of fecal matter in the colon encourages colonic contractions, so the more fecal matter that is present, the greater the amount of exercise and thus the stronger, and 'fitter', the bowel becomes.
As the two major constituents of fecal matter are water and indigestible cellulose or 'fiber', then the simplest of home remedies is to increase the amount consumed.
Water
The water content of the stool is reabsorbed as it passes down the colon, thus the higher the water intake, the less that needs to be reabsorbed and the larger the bulk of the stool. Mrs. Barbara Willett from Cornwall reports: 'I became very constipated when pregnant with my first child in 1956. My family doctor advised "on waking in the morning drink half to a pint of warm water and then lie on your right side for about twenty minutes". This has worked for me all my life - I do not necessarily remain on my right side but I always drink the water. I am seventy-five now and continue to find it infallible. Many of my friends have benefited from this advice.'
By Derek M. -
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Has anyone here utized a fleet enema for constipation? If so what was it like?
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Has anyone ever used a fleet extra enema for constipation? Let me know if it worked?
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Has anyone ever had to take a fleet enema for constipation?
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